Post #775517 by Early Landed Larry on Mon, May 1, 2017 2:26 AM

On 2017-04-28 22:39, Hurricane Hayward wrote:

On 2017-04-28 05:25, Scaramouch wrote:

On 2017-04-27 16:41, Early Landed Larry wrote:
Do any of you have experience with Lemon Hart 151 and Plantation OFTD?

Do you think the Plantation would be a reasonable substitute?

The short answer to your question is yes. OFTD has been blended by the leading tiki maesters in the field today very specifically for the purpose of being used as an overproof rum in Tiki drinks, and from experience, I'll tell you it works wonderfully in both swizzles and as a float. I prefer it over both the red and newer label LH151, and in many cases more than the Hamilton 151. So that just about covers the main contenders. Just my 2 cents.

I would second that, with the caveat that you're not quite getting the full 151-proof punch when using OFTD. But I've spoken to bartenders who will (in a pinch during busy times) use OFTD as a sub for both 151 Demerara and 80-proof Jamaican (in the Zombie or 151 Swizzle, for example).

You'll have to wait to see my ratings when I post them on The Atomic Grog, but there are only shades of difference in all of these rums.

And in regards to El Dorado 8 as the preferred 80-proof Demerara rum, I'd also agree. For the price, Hamilton 86 is equally good in my book. The new Lemon Hart 80, from what I've tasted (details to come) is not quite up to the same standard. It's close, but falls a bit short. The old LH80 yellow label was the bomb, of course, but I'd put ED12 and ED15 a bit higher up on my scale. They're just not priced to be everyday mixers.

Many thanks Scaramouche, Hurricane! It's good to know I'll be using a fairly close approximation of the recommended ingredients for these great recipes. I agree about the El Dorado marks - I can't see myself ever using EL 12 or 15 as a regular mixer but I think the 8 punches through nicely, and it's a great rum to use "behind" other rums to back them up.

I don't have the OFTD yet but I'm heading to the new Covent Garden whiskey exchange in a couple of weeks - I could get it online but there's something nice about browsing in a shop. Thanks for the really helpful tips.