Rogue Spirits’ Dark Rum

Sure, it may be popular with the cocktail set these days, especially as we head into Summer, but the Dark ‘n’ Stormy is a cool breeze on a hot day. This Caribbean concoction would be nothing without the perfect Dark Rum as it’s anchor. Enter Rogue Distilleries.

Rogue began as a microbrew think tank in Ashland, Oregon started by college friends Jack Joyce, Bob Woodell, and Rob Strasser. On the good advice (now) from Bob’s accountant, Jeff Schultz, the four set up shop in 1988. With success came the growth that took them to their current homestead of Newport, Oregon. Rogue Ales grew into the premiere brewhouse, micro brewer, and community organizer in the area. With the mandate to keep it local and “feed the fisherman”, the Rogue Nation was born and continues today.

Offshoot of this microbrew success story Rogue Distilleries takes American craft distilling to an art form. Or is it science? 
Working out of the Rogue House of Spirits, master distiller and degree carrying chemist, John Couchot brings his scientific knowledge and his passion for distilled spirits to Rogue’s line of award winning liquor.

From the Rogue website: “John received a bachelors degree in chemistry in 1996 from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, which he utilized as a professional chemist for 6 years, working to isolate the active ingredients from Amazonian plants that were found to have curative properties.”

Now, John Couchot isolates the perfect ingredients and balances them to create healing elixirs for what ails you. Rogue Distilleries maintains that they have something of an alchemist on their hands. When their Dark Rum is aged in the charcoal fired oak barrels, formerly of a certain Kentucky Bourbon producer, a fundamental change takes place. Try their Dark Rum and see if you don’t agree. The character is authentic, the taste is decidedly Caribbean, and the bite should come from the potent Ginger Beer which its been paired.

The next time you craft your next libation, reach for an American craft distilled spirit from Rogue Distilleries.

-Bob Beresh, Distilled Spirits Enthusiast