Mainland Rum California 9 Year 2016

This sample was provided to me by a producer, distributor, or some other industry source free-of-charge. No compensation, outside of the sample, was received and there were no strings attached.

Review #1417; Rum #716

This is a 9 year aged rum from Stark Spirits, located in Pasadena, California. This rum was distilled from molasses on a pot still and aged for 9 years in a 53 gallon ex-bourbon cask before being bottled at cask strength with no additives for Mainland Rum, and newer rum independent bottler focusing on American Rum.


Distillery: Stark Spirits

Bottler: Mainland Rum

Region: California, USA

Still: Pot

ABV: 60.9%


Nose: Vanilla, Apple, Honey, Black Pepper, Bready

Palate: Medium mouthfeel, Apple, Honey, Vanilla, Black Pepper, and Bready

Finish:  Medium length finish, Vanilla, Apple, Black Pepper, Honey


Rating: 5/10

This rum is fine. The flavors are okay and it drink under its proof. For being a pot still rum I wish it had more rum character and less cask character as this feels very driven by the aging vessel


1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect


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