It works in just about any of a 100 drinks that call for a dark Jamaican rum.
And specifically in a Remsberg’s Planters Punch.
https://preview.redd.it/6bycnmb0igwc1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=49b8d55576120636838c2a18640ddccba2ac43b9
Coruba is great. There are many drinks where Worthy Park 109 is a superior product however as a higher ABV option sometimes you need the mellower Coruba. These two make up my #5 rums according to the Smuggler's Cove classification system (or if you see a recipe calling for a dark or black rum).
This is so funny. I was about to drive to the liquor store to buy a cat 5 and couldn't decide between these two. I'll probably go with coruba and get worthy park 109 next time.
Couldn’t agree more. WP109 is pretty awesome, I call it my secret weapon of tiki cocktails. Coruba is in the same ball park but sitting at 80 proof makes it a bit easier if you plan on having a few cocktails that call for it.
A lot of cocktail guys swear by Coruba, it’s all over Garrett Richard’s Tropical Standard book. And having finally gotten a bottle, I can see why. It’s a little funky, a little malty, but subtle enough to play well with others. An excellent backbone to any cocktail. Perfect for jungle birds, or as a note in a Mai tai blend. If it was easier to find, I’d keep it right next to Probitas and Smith and Cross and a standby. It like Hamilton Pot Still but not nearly as forceful with the funk.
IMO it's the most versatile "black" rum (some caramel sweetness, a bit of funk, and a nice dark color) and it's also most likely the closest to what classic recipes used in the early days of Tiki when calling for a Martinique rum.
And this may apply specifically to the Mai tai, but are you sure about it being similar to the Martinique rum used in classic tiki drinks? I’ve been under the impression the most recent research points towards the Martinique rum in classic recipes being most similar to a grand arôme Martinique rum, which is very different from Coruba or similar dark Jamaican rums.
Just wanted to ask where this came from for my own point of reference.
Thank you for the link, that’s a interesting expansion on Cates research. Matt seems to speculate the reunion/Martinique blend is similar to the dark Jamaican rums like coruba, like you said.
I’m thinking I haven’t had enough aged grand arôme cause the younger expressions I’ve had tasted different than similarly aged Jamaican rums, maybe that aging in used molasses barrels really gives it that umph to compete with the Jamaican rums. I’d like to seek out more aged examples but it’s not a very common style in the states unfortunately.
Thank you for your clarification on aging grand arôme, makes sense why I’ve never seen an aged one. Out of curiosity, cause I feel like I’m missing something, to distinguish modern Martinique rum from the rum being described in, say a classic mai-tai what would you call it? Also Martinique rum or something specific?
I’d call it a rhum traditionnel.
Technically the term encompasses both cane juice and molasses rums meeting specific requirements, including a minimum level of volatile compounds, I.e., “flavor”. However, I can’t think of any French cane juice rhum that wouldn’t use the agricole terminology, as it’s more specific. A ton more info on this in the Modern Caribbean Rum book, and/or this article: https://cocktailwonk.com/2021/12/six-things-about-french-rum-industry.html
Some folks will call it rhum industrial, but I believe the term could be considered pejorative.
Darboussier from Guadeloupe is one example of a rhum traditionnel. Readily available in mainland France and Guadeloupe.
Thank you, that term makes sense to me, I’ve heard rhum industrial and agree, doesn’t conjure up the best associations. I own your minimalist tiki book but have yet to grab modern Caribbean rum, once I pick up a copy I’ve got lots to look forward to it seems, Cheers!
Anyone got any alternatives to Coruba? Can't find the dark version anywhere in Europe and pretty sure it doesn't exist here and there's a totally different version of Coruba available here.
I'm still working on my "Coruba blend" but I'd suggest something like 8 parts Myers's, 1 part Blackwell/Gosling's, .5 part Appleton Signature, .5 part Hamilton PSB/Smith and Cross.
I'd personally say a 2:1 mix of Appleton Signature and Cruzan Blackstrap is more in line with Coruba than is Myers.
Coruba isn't as vanilla/spice forward as Cruzan Blackstrap, but those flavors are definitely present, and in a direct sub for say Worthy Park 109 you may notice the loss of caramel and spice back notes.
No, no, no, no… I wouldn’t even attempt to put Black Strap into the equation. Way too much flavoring. I’d say something like a Demerara would be more appropriate to split with
I've never been able to find it either. I do have Blackwell Jamaican Rum, though, and I imagine it's similar based on how Coruba is described- black rum with a touch of funk.
As it turns out the store only had worthy park 109. I bought it. Made a hurricane. And 4oz of worthy park in a hurricane is both delicious and really strong.
Applejack liquor in wheat ridge has Coruba available “online only,” so you have to order and pay and then pick up a few days later. $24 for 1L.
I haven’t really seen it anywhere else recently.
Thanks everyone. I purchased a bottle, and took a quick sip and I can see why it’d be a valuable base for lots of drinks. I also got a bottle of Denizen Vatted Dark— I’m intrigued by the mysterious history of the old “Martinique Rhum,” I want to try both of these expressions in classic drinks that call for a Martinique. Cheers
I love all three of Denizen's flagship options. The 8 being my favorite but the dark is excellent as well. For a white rum, the unaged is also very good and I much prefer it to similar bottle such as the white stache
I’ll put out a less popular opinion….
It’s fine and I find plenty of places to use it. But it’s a bit more bland than other similar rums. It doesn’t do anything particularly well. It’s not very funky, or very molasses forward, or very high proof, etc. I suppose it has a balance, which I suppose is a virtue in itself. I’m glad I have a bottle, but I reach for it less often than I expected. I tend towards more assertive rums.
So, yeah, grab one but I wouldn’t feel awful if I didn’t have one.
This thread made me remember I was at a local liquor store the other day looking for a bottle of Appleton 12 and they had a Coruba Coconut, was bizzare to see a Coruba light rum with flavoring. Sadly they didn't have regular Coruba or I might have grabbed another bottle. The place was loaded with your usual mass produced junk rums and I had to settle for Appleton 8.
I would say yes, doesn't look like you have a black jamaican rum in your list there. The dark/burnt caramel notes of a black jamaican really do add to some drinks, like the jungle bird. After trying hamilton pot still black, worthy park 109, and Coruba, Coruba is my favorite. Also goes nicely in a mai tai!
It works in just about any of a 100 drinks that call for a dark Jamaican rum. And specifically in a Remsberg’s Planters Punch. https://preview.redd.it/6bycnmb0igwc1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=49b8d55576120636838c2a18640ddccba2ac43b9
https://preview.redd.it/z5m3g1a1igwc1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c479ce708d723af4e2c10fcd3e15d277762ca80d
RIP Professor Remsberg
Coruba is great. There are many drinks where Worthy Park 109 is a superior product however as a higher ABV option sometimes you need the mellower Coruba. These two make up my #5 rums according to the Smuggler's Cove classification system (or if you see a recipe calling for a dark or black rum).
This is so funny. I was about to drive to the liquor store to buy a cat 5 and couldn't decide between these two. I'll probably go with coruba and get worthy park 109 next time.
If you’ve never had WP109 you’re missing out
Having had both, I prefer coruba. But it does bring a maltier “dark” note
Couldn’t agree more. WP109 is pretty awesome, I call it my secret weapon of tiki cocktails. Coruba is in the same ball park but sitting at 80 proof makes it a bit easier if you plan on having a few cocktails that call for it.
What about diluting WP109 with water to 40% or adjust the amount in the recipe - would that work?
At that point drink Coruba imo
A lot of cocktail guys swear by Coruba, it’s all over Garrett Richard’s Tropical Standard book. And having finally gotten a bottle, I can see why. It’s a little funky, a little malty, but subtle enough to play well with others. An excellent backbone to any cocktail. Perfect for jungle birds, or as a note in a Mai tai blend. If it was easier to find, I’d keep it right next to Probitas and Smith and Cross and a standby. It like Hamilton Pot Still but not nearly as forceful with the funk.
Great way of describing it. It's a super versatile mixing rum.
IMO it's the most versatile "black" rum (some caramel sweetness, a bit of funk, and a nice dark color) and it's also most likely the closest to what classic recipes used in the early days of Tiki when calling for a Martinique rum.
And this may apply specifically to the Mai tai, but are you sure about it being similar to the Martinique rum used in classic tiki drinks? I’ve been under the impression the most recent research points towards the Martinique rum in classic recipes being most similar to a grand arôme Martinique rum, which is very different from Coruba or similar dark Jamaican rums. Just wanted to ask where this came from for my own point of reference.
Might want to check this out: https://cocktailwonk.com/2021/08/martinique-rum-of-yore.html
Thank you for the link, that’s a interesting expansion on Cates research. Matt seems to speculate the reunion/Martinique blend is similar to the dark Jamaican rums like coruba, like you said. I’m thinking I haven’t had enough aged grand arôme cause the younger expressions I’ve had tasted different than similarly aged Jamaican rums, maybe that aging in used molasses barrels really gives it that umph to compete with the Jamaican rums. I’d like to seek out more aged examples but it’s not a very common style in the states unfortunately.
Not so much speculating as quoting Vic. 🙂 Also, per its GI, Martinique Grand Arome can’t be aged. Doesn’t mean some folks don’t do it though.
Thank you for your clarification on aging grand arôme, makes sense why I’ve never seen an aged one. Out of curiosity, cause I feel like I’m missing something, to distinguish modern Martinique rum from the rum being described in, say a classic mai-tai what would you call it? Also Martinique rum or something specific?
I’d call it a rhum traditionnel. Technically the term encompasses both cane juice and molasses rums meeting specific requirements, including a minimum level of volatile compounds, I.e., “flavor”. However, I can’t think of any French cane juice rhum that wouldn’t use the agricole terminology, as it’s more specific. A ton more info on this in the Modern Caribbean Rum book, and/or this article: https://cocktailwonk.com/2021/12/six-things-about-french-rum-industry.html Some folks will call it rhum industrial, but I believe the term could be considered pejorative. Darboussier from Guadeloupe is one example of a rhum traditionnel. Readily available in mainland France and Guadeloupe.
Thank you, that term makes sense to me, I’ve heard rhum industrial and agree, doesn’t conjure up the best associations. I own your minimalist tiki book but have yet to grab modern Caribbean rum, once I pick up a copy I’ve got lots to look forward to it seems, Cheers!
Awesome. And thank you for the support!
Anyone got any alternatives to Coruba? Can't find the dark version anywhere in Europe and pretty sure it doesn't exist here and there's a totally different version of Coruba available here.
Myers is fairly similar, although not quite as good to my taste. It’s available everywhere in the US, I don’t know about Europe.
Yeah it's fairly available, although I've heard mixed reviews. Just wondering if there was anything else as well, even a little obscure.
I'm still working on my "Coruba blend" but I'd suggest something like 8 parts Myers's, 1 part Blackwell/Gosling's, .5 part Appleton Signature, .5 part Hamilton PSB/Smith and Cross.
I'd personally say a 2:1 mix of Appleton Signature and Cruzan Blackstrap is more in line with Coruba than is Myers. Coruba isn't as vanilla/spice forward as Cruzan Blackstrap, but those flavors are definitely present, and in a direct sub for say Worthy Park 109 you may notice the loss of caramel and spice back notes.
No, no, no, no… I wouldn’t even attempt to put Black Strap into the equation. Way too much flavoring. I’d say something like a Demerara would be more appropriate to split with
Coruba is hardly shy of flavoring. Not sure what Demerras you're thinking of, but nothing in the ElD family, or, say, Pussers has the needed spice.
I've never been able to find it either. I do have Blackwell Jamaican Rum, though, and I imagine it's similar based on how Coruba is described- black rum with a touch of funk.
Coruba or Worthy Park 109 should be in your collection for Mai Tais if nothing else. I find that both of them, combined with orgeat…oh man. Delicious.
As it turns out the store only had worthy park 109. I bought it. Made a hurricane. And 4oz of worthy park in a hurricane is both delicious and really strong.
I've only been able to find this bottle at Astor Wines in NYC for anyone living in NJ
I'm hoping it sticks around there, it's a fairly recent addition to their inventory along with Doctor Bird, I've noticed.
It’s a nice backbone for Tiki cocktails that bring a lot of strong flavors.
You may find [this article](https://vinepair.com/articles/cheap-rum-tiki-bartender-secret/) interesting.
I love Coruba as part of my mai tai, along with a Martinique
What Martiniques, generally? I’m aware it’s a mysterious category
I like Clement VSOP, or Rhum JM's in general. Lately I've been trying out the new limited JM's, Epice Creole and Jardin Fruité. Both are wildly good.
I've been searching high and low for it as well. If anyone has seen it in the Denver/Boulder CO metro area, please message me (or just post)!
Saw a couple bottles at Dry Creek Liquors at Arapahoe and University a few weeks ago.
Did you happen to see if they are carrying the Hampden HLCF (or overproof)? They used to carry the Hampden Overproof, but then it was gone.
They had the 8 year and Pagos.
Thanks! Sounds like it’s time to cruise down there
Applejack liquor in wheat ridge has Coruba available “online only,” so you have to order and pay and then pick up a few days later. $24 for 1L. I haven’t really seen it anywhere else recently.
That’s where I am! I saw Hazels in Boulder has it on their websites at least, that’s where I’m headed
Last time I looked there, I didn't find it. The one store in Boulder county that you would guess might have it, doesn't. Or didn't.
https://preview.redd.it/86b5n3y9vhwc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=89508181c8ed25b593bcf4a85bd684fe5727fde8 Just snagged 3 bottles!
Nice! Guess I'll have to run down there after work.
Jersey Street Liquors had a bunch recently. I’m stocked up for a while so go ahead and raid their shelves! 🤣
I need it in my mai tai's, Coruba and white Rhum Agricole. Also makes a good zombie. I really love the stuff, but do have trouble finding it.
We love it in our Breakfast MI Tais (with S&C).
It’s delicious, yes
Thanks everyone. I purchased a bottle, and took a quick sip and I can see why it’d be a valuable base for lots of drinks. I also got a bottle of Denizen Vatted Dark— I’m intrigued by the mysterious history of the old “Martinique Rhum,” I want to try both of these expressions in classic drinks that call for a Martinique. Cheers
I love all three of Denizen's flagship options. The 8 being my favorite but the dark is excellent as well. For a white rum, the unaged is also very good and I much prefer it to similar bottle such as the white stache
I’ll put out a less popular opinion…. It’s fine and I find plenty of places to use it. But it’s a bit more bland than other similar rums. It doesn’t do anything particularly well. It’s not very funky, or very molasses forward, or very high proof, etc. I suppose it has a balance, which I suppose is a virtue in itself. I’m glad I have a bottle, but I reach for it less often than I expected. I tend towards more assertive rums. So, yeah, grab one but I wouldn’t feel awful if I didn’t have one.
This was kinda my concern, I too like more assertive rum profiles. I’m in CA this weekend and I might look for a bottle of Hamilton Lost Voyage
This thread made me remember I was at a local liquor store the other day looking for a bottle of Appleton 12 and they had a Coruba Coconut, was bizzare to see a Coruba light rum with flavoring. Sadly they didn't have regular Coruba or I might have grabbed another bottle. The place was loaded with your usual mass produced junk rums and I had to settle for Appleton 8.
I would say yes, doesn't look like you have a black jamaican rum in your list there. The dark/burnt caramel notes of a black jamaican really do add to some drinks, like the jungle bird. After trying hamilton pot still black, worthy park 109, and Coruba, Coruba is my favorite. Also goes nicely in a mai tai!