Rum Tasting Experience With Villains Rum
15th March 2025 - New Experience Number 6.
Whilst a rum tasting experience doesn’t really fall into the ‘challenge’ aspect of challenge fifty-two, it’s something I had never tried before so definitely counts as one of my new things for 2025.
I went along as someone who doesn’t really like the drink, although I do like a bit of rum in my Christmas cake! Would I be converted to the dark side?
Villains Rum Of York
The tasting experience takes place in the Villains Rum shop on Little Stonegate in York. The historical street in the centre of the city is a perfect home for this delectably different tourist attraction. Darkly decorated to look like a slightly sinister emporium of the more macabre, a friendly welcome awaits inside.
On arrival we received a sample of Queen Gunnhildr, a honey golden rum. What an introduction to something I didn’t think I liked! It was deliciously smooth and sweet, without any sharpness that sometimes comes with alcohol. I was looking forward to this!
What The Rum Tasting Experience Was Like
The 30 minute experience was delivered by our enthusiastic host, who relayed tales of the riotous rogues associated with York who have caused chaos and havoc through history.
Each of the rums included in the tasting, are themed on some of the notorious nasties from the city. Covering the wicked ways and wrong doings of these vile villains, we were introduced to the flavours inspired by them. Every sip telling a story from their checkered past.
We learnt a lot through the tasting, although not about the history and production of rum. Instead it was about the bad guys from the city, on a tasting tour through the terrible timeline of outlaws and rebels. And it was brilliant fun.
The Flavours
The samples are neat, but mixers are available, and the flavours are bold and different. We all tried the rum on its own first, but for some of them we did top it up with something soft.
The black cherry flavour of the Erik Bloodaxe was nice enough on its own, but adding a splash of cola elevated it to something particularly special.
I wasn’t so keen on the tartness of The Yorkshire Witch pink grapefruit flavour, but you might like the zinginess of the taste.
Guy Fawkes, most often associated with bonfire night after his failed attempt to blow up the houses of Parliament, had a suitably fiery flavoured gin. This chilli spiced rum was my least favourite of the samples. Even after topping it up with the mixer, it didn’t really win me over.
Of course, no tour about York would be complete without mentioning infamous highwayman Dick Turpin. His flavour was a smoky spiced rum. I’d recently discovered I quite like smoky flavours and this did not disappoint.
Our last sample left the evil Eborians behind as we tried the caramelised pineapple spiced rum. This delightfully delicious drink went down very easily.
Other Rums - Rum Tasting Experience
The shop shelves were laden with numerous other bottles, including alcohol free rum – I had never even considered that to be a thing, but what a brilliant idea.
The pudding rum liqueurs sounded like perfect after dinner indulgences including salted caramel, maple pancake, toffee apple, and strawberry jam donought flavours. I had no idea that rum could come in so many variations! The hosts were kind enough to let me smell these, along with the coffee rum, and the pumpkin spice rum.
I inhaled the warming and sweet aromas of these unusual rum concoctions. Oh my, they were incredible! I shall definitely be trying some of these at some point!
They Also Offer Gin (Begrud-GIN-gly)
Alongside the almighty array of tempting rums, there is an offer of their elusive Fairytale Gins. Inspired by the Cottingley Fairies, the fruity flavours with mythical names sounded curiously quaffable.
However, I was here for the rum, so didn’t spend too long getting distracted by the spritely spirit.
Rum Tasting Experience With Villains Rum Of York
With t-shirts and tiki mugs, books and bottles, there is plenty in the shop alone to entice a rum lover and it’s well worth calling in.
This had been a journey of discovery for me. Through sampling the unusual flavours, I found I’m actually quite partial to some of the sweeter rums, and I successful received my contract with the York Villains Society! Which will be your favourite flavour?
The rum tasting experience was a deliciously entertaining exploration through the murky past of some of York’s infamous characters, and an opportunity to sample some drinks with a difference. I can definitely recommend it, even if you’re not a regular rum drinker.
Want To Try It Yourself?
- The rum tasting experience with Villains Rum lasts for 30 minutes.
- It takes place in their shop on Little Stonegate in the centre of York.
- For tasting experiences and times, and to book your place, visit the Villains Rum website.
Cost Of Experience
- The rum tasting experience costs £25 per person, and includes 6 samples of some of their different rums.
- Guests of the experience can receive a discount on purchases made in the shop after the tasting.
Recommendations
- You don’t have to be a rum drinker. The experience does off alcohol-free rums for people who don’t drink, and for people who don’t like rum they will swap the samples for their gin range.
- Start neat. I’d recommend trying the sample before adding any mixers.
- Go with the flow. There is some audience participation in this particular tour, and it’s all in good fun.
- Ask questions. The family run business are passionate and proud of what they offer, and happy to answer any questions or queries you might have, even if you’re not doing the tasting.
- Book ahead. To avoid disappointment, book your place on the tasting before you visit.
- Great gift ideas. If you’re looking for something a little more unusual for someone, you could purchase a voucher for the tasting, or buy a bottle of rum that’s a little less ordinary.
- Let me know what you think if you give it a go!
What a fun and unique idea to try! I love that there are things like this to do as it’s a bit more unusual. I think my husband and I would enjoy this!
Thanks for reading Molly!
They’ve done such a great job with the tasting experience; it’s brilliantly different. Are there are any tastings near you, even if it’s not for rum?
Hope you are having a wonderful week,
Sally :o)