The Straight Up Features :
Capt. Morgan's Private Stock

Ah, rum, rum, let's talk about rum. For me, personally, rum is my least favorite of the common hard liquors. Not that I dislike rum, but in my quest for liquor enjoyment, rum is the drink I least often turn to. There's just something about rum, the sweetness, the thick texture, that can, if I'm not in the mood for it, throw me off. However, I'm the first to admit that when I AM in the mood, rum can be a most enjoyable experience. It has a strong, unique flavor that actually contends with the potency of the alcohol for dominance. Further, even really good rum tends to be damned cheap compared to other liquors, so there's almost always a bottle on my shelf somewhere. Finally, rum's a party drink. It's there to enjoy with friends.

Captain Morgan's spiced rum is a pretty well known mainstay in the rum drinking world. It carries both a powerful 'molasses' flavor and the extra kick of whatever secret blend of herbs and spices the company chooses to throw into it. It's a pretty good rum, especially for the price. However, to my way of thinking, it doesn't hold a candle to Captain Morgan's Private Stock. First of all, Private Stock is SMOOTH. You almost feel like you're drinking a really strongly mixed cocktail instead of a straight liquor. It retains the sweetness of the spcied rum without quite the syrup texture, and has a tiny smack of spices without being quite as overbearing as I feel the spiced rum is.

Rum is made from fermenting sugar cane by-products, usually molasses, which I am convinced is the source of the Private Stock. Whatever the case, it retains a beautiful amber hue and a sweet but not overpowering flavor. As usually, this is a rum that tastes great straight, but is also the best of mixers for the weaker members of your social circle. Any which way, it's going to go down smoothly, leave behind a pleasant afterglow, and get you drunk in that warm, hazy manner. Be warned, however, improper drinking precautions will floor you after a night of this stuff; Private Stock leaves a particularly nasty hangover if you neglect it.

On a side note, I'd like to say that while I liked the rum, Captain Morgans itself (the company) can take a flying leap. Their website was about as helpful as kneecapping myself. Fellows, when I go to an alcoholic website, I want to learn something about the ALCOHOL, not read a bunch of stories of how someone 'found love' (got laid) while getting schnookered on it. Capt. Morgan's website offered ZERO facts about Private Stock, at least that I could find. (Although the stories written by Capt. Morgan himself were funny)

Key facts about the Cap'n's Private Stock :

Alcohol Content : 40%. Who'duv guessed? Private Stock honestly tastes like 25-30%. Of course, this means 'be careful out there'.

Age : I do want to point out that while rum isn't aged long, some are aged a few months to a couple of years in your typical oak casks. Private Stock has been aged.

Price (.750) : $18-22. Damned but you can't beat rum for price. I mean, Private Stock is a GOOD rum, but you can still grab it for a song compared to other high end alcohols.

Notes : One good thing about Private Stock is there is no wrong way to drink it. Iced, chilled, room temp, straight, out of someone's naval, it doesn't matter. It's going to be good no matter what. You really can't ruin it. Definitely not a fragile drink.

Final Standing : Soused.