Hamilton 87 White 'Stache Rum

Hamilton 87 White 'Stache Rum. Ed Hamilton, Ministry of Rum — a multi-island blend of aged, carbon-filtered white rums sourced from Trinidad, Guyana, and the Dominican Republic, bottled at 43.5% ABV (87 proof) with no added sugar, flavors, or glycerine, designed as the definitive high-proof white rum for serious Daiquiris and tropical cocktails.

Ed Hamilton — the Minister of Rum — created the White 'Stache out of a personal frustration: the style of aged, carbon-filtered white rum he had encountered during his years sailing the West Indies — clean, fresh, with a slight coconut note from the barrel time — had virtually disappeared from the US market. Most commercial white rums are made from neutral spirit or young unaged rum with no character. Ed wanted an aged white rum with genuine complexity, high enough proof to stand up properly in a Daiquiri, and nothing added.

The solution was a blend of aged molasses-based rums from three different islands — Trinidad (pot still character), Guyana (DDL Demerara earthiness), and the Dominican Republic (column still elegance) — carbon-filtered back to clear after aging to remove color while preserving the aromatics and flavor compounds that develop during barrel time. The resulting rum carries a characteristic slight coconut note, a clean stone fruit quality, and genuine complexity that sets it apart from simple white rums. Reduced from high proof with filtered well water over five days to preserve the most subtle notes. 43.5% ABV.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Clean and fresh with a distinctive slight coconut note from the carbon-filtered barrel aging. Stone fruit, a hint of Demerara earthiness, and a light tropical quality from the Trinidadian component.
• Palate: Bright and high-proof — the 87 proof gives presence without heaviness. Dark stone fruit, smoky wood, burnt cane, treacle, and brown spice from the Guyanese component weave through a clean, fresh rum base. No sweetness from additives — pure rum character.
• Finish: Clean and slightly dry. The coconut note lingers alongside faint spice. Designed to integrate beautifully into cocktails rather than dominate them.

Specs

• Curator: Ed Hamilton, Ministry of Rum
• Blend: Aged molasses-based rums from Trinidad + Guyana (DDL) + Dominican Republic
• Process: Aged, then carbon-filtered to remove color while preserving flavor compounds
• No added sugar, flavors, or glycerine.
• ABV: 43.5% (87 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does Hamilton White 'Stache taste like? Clean and fresh with a distinctive slight coconut note from carbon-filtered barrel aging. Stone fruit, Demerara earthiness, and tropical character on the palate. Clean, slightly dry finish with lingering coconut and faint spice.
• Why is it bottled at 87 proof instead of 80? The higher proof gives the rum proper presence in a Daiquiri or tropical cocktail — standard 80-proof white rums get washed out by citrus and syrups. At 87 proof, the White 'Stache holds its own and delivers flavor in the finished drink.
• What is carbon filtration and why is the rum clear? The rums are aged in oak barrels (which give color and flavor) then carbon-filtered to remove the color while retaining the flavor compounds developed during aging. The result is a white rum that carries the complexity of barrel aging without the amber appearance.
• Does Hamilton add sugar or glycerine to this rum? No — zero added sugar, zero glycerine, zero added flavor. Ed Hamilton's Ministry of Rum line is committed to honest, unadulterated rum.
• What cocktails is White 'Stache designed for? The Daiquiri is the primary intended application — the 87 proof and aged complexity make it the ideal foundation for a serious Daiquiri. Also excellent in a Mojito, Swizzle, or any tropical cocktail where a high-proof white rum with genuine character is preferred.