So sorry for the late upload! I’ve been going through a few lifestyle changes recently so things have been a little hectic, but I still wanted to get this review out even if it’s not on a Monday like normal. Anyway, let’s get right into today’s topic: Project 173’s Mango Rum! I’m not impartial to a flavoured spirit but I realise I’ve not actively reviewed one yet, so let’s give this fruity Dominican rum a try!
Bottled at 42% ABV, Project 173 starts itself off with quite a high ABV for a flavoured spirit!. The bottle’s design stood out to me with its standard, almost clinical shape which worked with the label to give the bottle the impression that it’s the product of a lab experiment. However, the bold brushstroke across the front of the bottle shows that despite being an experiment, this rum has a lot of character!
The nosing starts with strong, sweet golden syrup accented with some mild vanilla, before moving into the fragrant notes of passionfruit and, of course, intense mango. The front of the palate is quite mild on the mango, but has a medley of tropical fruits to back it up, made even sweeter by the distinct, mature contribution of demerara sugar. The main body takes the mango flavour and combines it with the spiciness of the base rum, accented nicely with caramel and mild notes of cinnamon. The finish is where the mango flavour really shines; it’s so juicy and practically oozes out of the rum. This richness is finished nicely with a spicy, almost chilli-esque finish to the dram.
Dilution brings out an interesting character in the rum. The nosing right away shifts to a more baking spice influence over the original sweet fruitiness, the main body of the spirit itself subdues the mango a touch and allows the spicy and syrup-based nature of the dram to take over a smidge more. The finish though focuses even more on the mango, with far less of an emphasis on that original spicy finish.
Project 173 is a really interesting example of how I believe you do a flavoured spirit right. The dram is overall sweet, there’s no denying that, but it’s never cloying. It’s all very tastefully done, so much so it never feels artificial. It almost tastes like a good short cocktail, which given it’s being drunk neat is impressive! If I was to recommend the best way to drink this, an odd combination I found worked beautifully was mixed with passionfruit Rubicon, though admittedly this rum can be enjoyed in pretty much any way you like!
As mentioned, this is how you do flavoured spirits well. It’s a great rum; smooth, spicy and juicy, showing both the mango flavour but also the spicy Dominican rum under the surface! Too many flavoured spirits disregard or try to hide the aspects of their base spirit that make them unique, but this spirit lets its roots shine though and absolutely soar, which I appreciate immensely! Give this rum a try if it falls in your price range, you won’t regret it!
This post’s recommended song is: “Moloko” – Ilegales
