Pumpkin Face Reserve

In the fall of 2012 the Itsko Imports company began importing the Pumpkin Face rum line from the Dominican Republic.  Using a custom designed bottle created by the Flow Design company.   The Jack-O-Lantern bottles have a different color design for each of the four expressions.  They are no details about the origin of the rum other than the country.  It is advertised as "an Ultra-Premium Dominican Rum".  Sadly this is a marketing phrase that is a bit overused in the spirits industry; especially in the vodka market.  Because of this instead of the phrase being an attractor, it has turned into a red flag.

Appearance/Presentation

The Pumpkin Face Reserve 750 ml bottle has a brown tint with burgundy eyes and mouth.  The bottle has a wooden cap with a metal medallion set in the top, that holds a synthetic cork. The neck of the bottle has a burgundy label with silver type.  On the back of the bottle at the base is a clear sticker with all of the legal requirements. 

The rum is medium amber in color and when I agitate the liquid it creates thick band around the glass with equally thick fast moving legs.

Nose

Sniffing the glass I detect brown sugar, orange peel, butterscotch, and a hint of spice and oak.

Palate

My first sip provides a heated full bodied mouth feel with a balance of alcohol, caramel, and spicy oak up front.  As these flavors quickly subside they are followed by butterscotch, orange peel, and earthy tobacco notes which lingers to form the baseline of a pleasantly sweet finish. Additional sips accentuate the spiciness of the oak and reveal a dark chocolate note that mingles well with the other flavors.

Review

When shopping for rums, the companies are always trying to find ways to attract consumers attention.  This unique bottle definitely achieves that.  The problem with these type of bottle designs, is they also make the consumer pause and wonder if it is just a low quality gimmick product.  I am happy to report that is not the case with this rum.  With Halloween coming up  you can safely have this rum on your back bar to serve your guests a quality spirit at the same time.   

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