Todd Thrasher bought his begin behind bars in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. earlier than turning to distilling in 2018 and opening the Potomac Distilling Firm in DC’s riverside District Wharf neighborhood. He produces a Guyanese-style rum in quite a lot of expressions, all of which type the majority of the backbar at his distillery’s in-house tiki lounge, Tiki TNT. As Chris famous in his evaluation of Thrasher’s Coconut Rum again in 2019, all rums are made out of an equal mix of blackstrap molasses and uncooked turbinado sugar distilled on a pot nonetheless. Learn on for our ideas on a number of of Todd’s eponymous rums, together with the Coconut expression, which we’re revisiting.
Thrasher’s Inexperienced Spiced Rum – That is an uncommon rum infused with botanicals meant to make it paying homage to English gin, per the corporate. That “gin” invoice contains lemon verbena, lemongrass, lemon balm, mint, and inexperienced cardamom, no less than a few of that are grown in a big rooftop backyard on the distillery. The nostril is certainly paying homage to a gin, however a really natural and grassy one. Prime notes of lime peel and molasses give technique to recent dill and cardamom, all of it underpinned with dried lemon wheels and candy reduce grass. The palate is piquant with dry spice and lemon oil. A refined cotton sweet sweetness arrives midpalate however fades into an herbaceous end accented with extra citrus and dried coconut. A considerably complicated sipper however tailor made for a novel riff on a traditional rum cocktail. 80 proof. B+ / $25
Thrasher’s Relaxed Rum – As an alternative of getting older, Thrasher’s relaxes this rum in new American white oak for 2 years. The getting older doesn’t even appear fairly that lengthy as loads of that recent, gritty molasses character shoots by the aroma with refined undertones of dry oak and vanilla taffy. It’s clear with a restrained sweetness however considerably monotone. On the palate, there’s clearly a need for extra time within the barrel with muted notes of darkish caramel and barrel char that by no means discover strong footing amid sharper notes of torched sugar and burnt cinnamon toast. With water, issues discover a higher steadiness of brown sugar and spice. Not a neat sipper, however advantageous sufficient over ice or in a cocktail. 100 proof. B / $49
Thrasher’s Coconut Rum (2024) – Made with out added sugar or synthetic taste, this rum has been infused with precise coconut. As marketed, this isn’t your Malibu foil, which, as Chris already famous, could also be a shock to some rum followers. It’s properly balanced and silky on the nostril with heat, gently candy notes of toasted coconut and coconut cream. Because it opens, it will get a bit nuttier and well-baked, virtually like a coconut pie. The palate is equally spectacular, presenting much more recent, pure flavors from its namesake ingredient. Thick notes of grated coconut and coconut milk give technique to a shiny end of heat macaroon and lime zest. Regardless of nonetheless being just a little inexperienced on the end, it’s a powerful and interesting rum. 80 proof. A- / $25
Thrasher’s Spiced Rum – A mixture of star anise, clove, allspice, cinnamon, vanilla, and orange peel steeped for 4 days in Thrasher’s White Rum. The aroma is heat and expressive, not almost the cacophony of sugar and spice you discover in plenty of different spiced rums. A little bit of caramelized brown sugar provides simply sufficient buttery sweetness to the inspiration however doesn’t overpower a sublime mixture of baking spice and dried orange peel. The palate is a bit too dry, nevertheless. At the very least for neat sipping. Entire cloves and cinnamon sticks create a zesty, peppery entry that offers technique to vanilla extract, allspice, and tangy citrus. All of it appears to evaporate on the end, abandoning traces of ginger root and black licorice. Lip-puckering stuff to make certain. However, as soon as once more, it fares effectively sufficient in a inventive cocktail. 80 proof. B / $25
Thrasher’s Inexperienced Spiced Rum
$25
