WE ARE BACK!!!
It's been nearly two years since I wrote my last rum review and I hold my head in shame. I have however still been out trying rums both old and new as well as visiting distilleries from Cambodia to the Caribbean. It's all in my notes, now its time to share them.
Having recently reviewed Limehouse bar in Singapore it felt right to follow up on a detailed review of the blended aged rum they have created and launched as early as 2022. Very exciting to be part of the early story.
Bago (pronounced Bay-go) is abbreviated from the country "Tobago" and pays homage to the small Caribbean island that Chris Morris - founder of Limehouse and Bago - is from. It is a passionate love message to the Caribbean way of life, beautifully bottled in Singapore and used to continue the quest of spreading "limin" vibes across Asia. And I'm totally on board!!!
Chris clearly has a great passion for spreading rum culture in Asia. The Limehouse being his initial vessel to cultivate Singapore. Bago is the next phase of his journey and a vessel which is able to spread much further than the growing rum lovers on the island.
This Founders Batch is a blend of aged dark rums from Tobago, mixed with a 23 year old aged rum from Asia. While the latter rums distillery I was unable to identify, it's still a symbolic blending bridge connecting the two continents. Whilst enjoying Bago @Limehouse I was also told that at least one of the rums is aged with lemongrass, another lovely touch of Asia infusion.
After a little digging I also discovered some praise must go to Tanglin Gin distillery for aiding and supporting Chris in realising his vision. Maybe the rum came from this Singapore based distillery?
The bottle itself is short and rounded with a heavy glass base, A nice modern style with a classic nod to ceramic rum bottles from years ago. The label has a bright, energetic mixture of red, yellow and white as its base. Green exotic foliage accentuate the tropical feel with further hints of gold and black to add a premium touch. The neck references "Jamin and Limin which refers to a Caribbean pastime of doing nothing but sharing good food, drinks and conversation while hanging out with friends. Yes please!
So lets tuck into this rum review of Bago. NOTE: I have limited pictures of the liquid neat as I tried to balance getting snaps for the blog against actually enjoying the experience of the bar. I didn't want to be "that guy".
Smell: There is a lovely vanilla and coconut aroma on the nose upon first inspection. This is followed by a hint of butterscotch and then a smoky finish. The whole experience is light but not weak and I would like to think the strong aroma comes in part from the infused lemongrass.
Appearance: A light amber colour with flashes of yellow.
Taste: The initial aromas of vanilla and coconut step aside as a smokey, peppery flavour comes through. This is followed by what I can only describe as a tender sweetness that builds over time. Like a lovers kiss the ear to the collarbone. Bago rests nicely on my tongue and feels like a very smooth rum.
Rating: 4/5... A very smooth character and a great Caribbean entry rum to enjoy.
When mixed, I recommend keeping it simple. Enjoy long over lots of cubed ice and fresh pineapple juice and a squeeze of orange. Lovely, refreshing and simple. Just how Limin and rum should be.
For those interested in buying some Bago in Singapore or want to try some of the flights on offer at Bago bar, click on the links below. You can also follow LimeHouse or BagoBar on Instagram to keep on top of the many rum events they host. Check out @LimeHouseAsia and @BagoAtLimeHouse.
Note: I do not receive any affiliate link payments and all reviews are completely independent.
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