Cardinal Spirits Tiki Rum Review.

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Cardinal Spirits Tiki Rum Review.

Cardinal Spirits Tiki Rum


    Cardinal Spirits out of Bloomington, Indiana has quietly built a reputation for doing things the right way. While they source some distillate, they also distill, age, and bottle their own spirits, and that balance shows real intention. When I spotted this Tiki Rum on the shelf with a 6 year, 8 month age statement, it immediately grabbed my attention. As a rum fan, that kind of age on an Indiana-made rum is not something you see every day, and I went into this one genuinely curious and cautiously optimistic.


For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/sKQ8zqddqaU.

Age Statement: 6 years 8 months.

ABV: 40%.

Mash bill: Cane juice & molasses.

Area of Distillation: Bloomington, Indiana.

Appearance: Pale gold.


On the nose:
    The nose opens with a sweet, inviting fruitiness led by pineapple, followed by a gentle but unmistakable rum funk that leans Jamaican in spirit without going full hogo. Warm spices follow with cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg layered over brown sugar and soft vanilla from the bourbon barrel. There’s a light oiliness present, but it stays balanced, creamy, and refined rather than heavy or cloying.


Taste:
   The palate confirms this is simply a well-made rum. It’s not overly sweet, and instead delivers layered tropical fruit notes like mango, papaya, pineapple, and a touch of coconut. Spices reappear with cinnamon and clove, supported by barrel-driven vanilla and brown sugar. The mouthfeel is surprisingly rich for 40% ABV, with a cling and oiliness that suggests pot still influence. It drinks closer to 45% in body and texture, finishing with a soft return of that pleasant rum funk that keeps things interesting.


Finish:
   The finish is smooth, warm, and lingering. Tropical fruit fades into spice, light oak tannin, and a subtle funk that hangs just long enough to invite the next sip. It’s a happy, satisfying finish that works equally well neat or in a cocktail.


Final Thoughts: 
    This was a genuine surprise and an impressive showing from Cardinal Spirits. At a typical price around $45, the age statement and quality justify the cost, and at any discount it becomes an absolute steal. It works beautifully as a sipper, shines in cocktails, and even has enough barrel character to inspire an old fashioned-style rum build.


Rating: A (Excellent).

Cost: $24.99 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/sKQ8zqddqaU.

Social platforms to follow me: https://linktr.ee/thelastcallyt.

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