PR Hanson Rum Essence 20 ml

PR Hanson Rum Essence 20 ml

In days gone by, rum arrived by ship at the trading houses of the harbour towns, where the merchants blended, darkened and bottled it as they saw fit. So a particular style was born: deep brown, powerful and rich, made for cold coasts where a dash of rum in the tea was as much a matter of course as logs in the stove. It is the rum grandfather kept in the cupboard, and the one that gave grandmother’s rum raisins their scent.

Hanson Rum carries that tradition on. There is nothing light or airy here – this is rum with heft, where molasses and burnt sugar meet dried fruit, liquorice and a quiet smokiness. It stands up to boiling water, strong tea, butter and sugar without losing its voice, and that is exactly why the style has outlived every trend.

Colour & Appearance

Once mixed, the rum turns a dark mahogany brown, almost like strong coffee, with red-brown glints at the rim. It looks powerful even in the bottle, and a single dash is enough to tint a cup of tea a warm golden brown.

Nose

The nose is deep and dark. Molasses and burnt caramel lie on top, followed by rum-soaked raisins, prunes and dried figs. Vanilla and dark chocolate give roundness, and right at the bottom are liquorice root, a tarry note of smoke and a little freshly ground coffee.

Palate

The palate is full, rich and warming. Dark syrup and burnt sugar set the tone, bittersweet rather than sweet, and the fruit comes close behind: raisins, plums and a touch of orange marmalade. Vanilla softens things, while liquorice, allspice and a light smokiness give the rum its gravity. The texture is dense, almost syrupy, and a roasted bitterness like coffee and cocoa keeps the sweetness on a tight rein. Neat, it is a rum to sip slowly; in tea and toddies it is in its element. A teaspoon in a fruit cake mixture or a pan of chocolate sauce shows the same strength of character – the flavour carries clearly through the heat.

Finish

The finish is long and warm. Molasses, liquorice and dried fruit fade out slowly, with a last glow of smoke and burnt sugar.

How to Use

The essence is mixed with vodka or neutral spirit and can be enjoyed at once. 20 ml makes 750 ml of finished rum. Instructions are on the label.

Serving Suggestions

• In hot black tea with sugar – the sailor’s classic.
• A rum toddy with hot water, honey and lemon.
• A long drink with cola or ginger beer and lime.
• For rum raisins, rum truffles, fruit cakes and Christmas toffee.
• Over vanilla ice cream, or a dash in the chocolate sauce.

About the Essence

Hanson Rum is part of the PR (Prestige) range and the darkest and most tradition-steeped of our brown rums. It is as much at home in the larder as in the drinks cabinet, and a bottle tends to disappear quickly once the autumn darkness and the Christmas baking arrive.

The essence comes in 20 ml, 280 ml, 1000 ml and 25 litres. If you would like something softer and paler, Brown Western Rum is a good alternative.