Ever so often you come across a spirit that catches you off guard and seemingly; captures your heart. One of those for me is the overly pungent and striking Doctor Bird Jamaican Rum bottled for Two James Distillery in Detroit, Michigan.
Named for the national bird of Jamaica (Red-Billed Streamertail); Doctor Bird is a heavy pot still rum produced by Worthy Park Distillery. While I do not have the exact numbers on hand; from what I have found out, it is a blend of three to six-year-old rums that are aged tropically in Jamaica in ex-bourbon barrels before being sent to Detroit, where it is finished in Moscatel Sherry wine casks before being bottled at a very respectable 50% abv.
There is one other important thing to note: the artwork on this bottle label. Normally I do not pay much attention to label art as that it really does not pertain to the quality of the liquid in the bottle. In fact; I have found that the more elaborate the bottle, the poorer quality of the spirit inside. But this, this is just gorgeous all the way around.
COLOR
Held up to the light, it is surprisingly light in color. Almost the same pale straw color you would get from an Irish whiskey. I assume that the ex-bourbon barrels that were used were relatively old or at the very least, multi-use. The core is a touch richer in color and slightly offsets the straw-colored highlights in the glass.
NOSE
I feel like I should give you fair warning about just how funky this rum really is, because it jumps out of the glass and slaps you in the face in the most fun way possible. Every time I pulled the cork on this bottle, I just grin to myself as the aroma comes pouring out and perfumes the area around me. I instantly get aromas of pineapple warhead sour candies, sharp nail polish remover, banana pudding, briney caper berries, sweet tea, allspice and very apparent white pepper.
PALATE
The sour theme continues as the first flavors that are picked up are lemonheads and something that reminiscent of what grilled grapefruit flesh macerated with the peels might taste like. Sour, bitter and smoky caramelized notes all working in harmony. There are notes of Sourwood honey lingering underneath with some pretty dry tannin character.
BODY
Not a very sensational body going on here. There is some nice weight to it, but is definitely riding the line of lighter body.
FINISH
For all of the fun that is going on upfront; the final act of this rum is a bit of a letdown. While lengthy, it lacks complexity and is dominated by some pretty intense chili and white pepper spice that feels like prickles on the tongue.
OVERALL
Let me start by stating once again that I adore this rum and it has indeed captured my heart. That being said; I feel this is at best a novelty for spirits nerds and rum lovers. Much in the same way as Caroni or those palate wrecking IPAs on the market. This will always be in my rotation on my bar, but I doubt that I would ever give it to a novice looking to get into the spirits or rum game overall. In fact, it would probably scare them off from the Jamaican Rum category the same way scotch would in the most hilarious way possible.
If you are initiated however; and are looking to really challenge your palate or make some very unique cocktails (banana daiquiris or sub for gin a negroni), this is an absolute must. Funk heavy rums deserves their spot on every bar right next to the Laphroaig and Malört.
