Home Distiller

I've been seeing these websites that offer all types of essences for rums, bourbons, etc. and I was wondering what the prevailing wisdom is on these things. Are they crap or have some of these companies really nailed it?
In particular I'm looking for a good quality Spiced Rum Essence.

I'm making a spiced rum that I'm going to give away in little bottles for Christmas gifts, so I don't feel like I have a lot of margin for error on getting the flavors right and don't have the time to experiment much, otherwise I'd try lots of recipies using whole spices etc.

Well, most folks on this forum will tell you to make your own from scratch rather than using an essence.

A slow single run in a pot still can make excellent rum, whereas going the essence route you've got to do two slow runs through a reflux still to make a neutral and then dilute and add back in the flavors you just took out....

If you've got neutral spirit already, well ok I suppose I can see the allure. I can't vouch for any one brand over another, but I am willing to bet that with a touch of molasses and a few spices you can whip up your own that tastes how YOU want rather than how the manufacturer thinks it should.

Steep your spices first, check every day for flavor development. Once it is sufficiently spiced, a touch of molasses will restore the rummy flavor and some color. It doesn't take much. Your best bet is to attempt a young spiced rum because oak takes time. You can't really fix that and essences try but fail in my experience. Distressing will yield some flavor but it isn't an aged spirit.

If you've got neutral to spare, test a small batch first and take notes.

Try this:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 11&t=24301

Definitly use brown or demuera sugar not mollases in it though, and cut it back a tad

srbutler75, I can answer your simple question with another simple question... When you go out to dinner do you want Prime Rib or Fillet Mignon, or do you want a hamburger flavored like Prime Rib or Fillet Mignon...??? There are no real shortcuts to or substitutes for the real thing...

the trouble with most flavorings,,is that there not complete,,
there can be thousands of things that contribute to a "flavor"
but only a few is reproduced..so you end up with something that taste "similar"

Still Spirits Classic Spiced Gold Rum is a good one for a store brought flavouring , I have moved away from it and now making my own but if you have neutral go for it

Thanks for the feedback guys. Yeah, I think I'll just make my own. Thanks for that recipe too.

I can't believe all the essences out there. Here are just some I found on one site

Bourbon Essence
Brandy Essence
Whiskey Essence
Rum Essence
Scotch Essence
Enhancer Essence (what the hell could that be?)
Wine/Liqueur Essence(?)
Islay Scotch Essence
Wild Bourbon Whiskey Essence
Grog Essence
Irish Pot Still Whiskey Essence

So no one's tried any of these or heard of anyone who's tried any of these?

I was playing around with making my own essence, and it turned out pretty good. I put 4 cinnamon sticks, 9 or 10 cloves, 1/4 tsp ground ginger, about the same of nutmeg, 8 black peppercorns, 10 anise seeds and some orange zest. topped with 500 ml of 92% Amounts are approx, and change to suit your taste, but after sitting for a couple of weeks, a few drops to a glass makes a really nice spiced rum. I also add some of my vanilla extract if I want that sweetness

A few drops is all it takes? Gonna try that. Thanks.