Review: Captain Morgan Spiced Rum with Real Madagascar Vanilla
Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum is now made with real Madagascar Vanilla. Diageo is hoping for better results than Coca-Cola experienced when they decided to update Classic Coke. If you are under 50 and drink alcohol I’m sure you have had at least one Captain and Coke/Diet Coke in your life time. Captain Morgan was introduced in the US in 1984 and it is the country’s second best selling rum, only trailing Bacardi. Captain Morgan is made with a rum base distilled from Caribbean sugar cane molasses. The rum is barrel aged 1 year in St Croix. Real Madagascar vanilla and a proprietary blend of spices is blended before bottling at 70 proof. The aroma leads with vanilla, brown sugar and baking spice. The caramel, cinnamon, vanilla, and clove entry builds to a bright Madagascar vanilla peak. It fades with dried cherry and finishes with cinnamon, vanilla, subtle oak, allspice, and burnt sugar. It has been 8 years since I first reviewed Original Captain Morgan so how do the two compare? I could have just looked at my review from 2015 and compared reviews, but instead I cracked open a new bottle of the Original Captain Morgan. That Captain Morgan opens with more genuine rum taste. While I pick up caramel vanilla and cinnamon on the entry I also pick up a hint of banana, and the vanilla does not dominate. I admit the vanilla is not as natural as the new Captain Morgan but there is more rum and spice flavor.
Bottom Line: I like both versions but if I had to pick one I would pick the Original. How does it taste mixed with Coke/Diet Coke? Like a Captain Morgan and Coke Vanilla/Coke Zero Sugar Vanilla. I would like to see Diageo keep producing the Original Captain Morgan and rename the new Captain Morgan, Captain Morgan Vanilla Spiced Rum.
Made with Rum Distilled in St Croix
35% Alcohol
Score: 90
Award: Silver Medal