Las Olas (Spiced Rum) - Can you handle the wave? 🌊🏄
I’m back with another review! This time we’re talking RUM! I must admit, I do like a good drink, but when you look at my heritage can you really blame me?
*pause*
Exactly.
DID SOMEONE SAY BLACK OWNEDDDDDD?
(and environmentally friendly… let’s not forget that too!)
I first heard about this brand a few months ago on Twitter. It’s a rum that goes by the name of “Las Olas” meaning “The waves” in Spanish. It’s marketed as a premium spiced rum but does it live up to the name? From what I saw, the product seemed decent and was similar to drinks I already consumed (ok fine… it was alcohol. I said it!). It also happened to be UK Black owned, so of course, I was intrigued.
This year I’ve been about supporting new brands, especially those who’ve worked hard behind the scene… and this is no exception! In this case, I happen to have followed one of the creators - @sebby_Lo on Twitter - for a few years now and was aware that he was working on something new. I’ll be honest, I didn’t follow too intensely at first but the promo is what truly caught my attention.
Firstly, I have to give a clap to the advertising since it has been fantastic so far! The product looks amazing and the people behind it are genuine, but what about the actual product? We’re so quick to jump on the bandwagon of “supporting our own” but sadly, the product often isn’t up to scratch and the customer service is poor or unprofessional (if we’re keeping in buck). I guess that’s what makes supporting new * black owned * businesses a little harder since people are sceptical from the jump, but I had my fingers crossed for this one!
With its official Launch on the 8th November, the Las Olas website has been live for under two weeks and seems to have intrigued many more with its intricate design and sleek finish. I was amongst the first to order and I’ll tell you now, the demand was so high it crashed the website not long after its midnight launch. Due to this high demand, there were some teething problems, which meant I couldn’t order for an hour or so but it was sorted fairly quickly and I was contacted as soon as the solution was found which is a testament to their work rate and customer care. The confirmation was sent through, payment had been taken, and all I had left was to wait.
I’m not sure why but I was super excited on launch day. It was in the AM, yet there I was refreshing the page like an addict just to get hold of my bottle. The excitement was heightened by the social buzz and you could really feel how much the boys had put on the line for this brand. The website launched at midnight, and I wanted to know how much effort they had put into the website or if it was something basic (I lowkey judge the quality of a website out of habit) and I was not disappointed. The Las Olas website (lasolasrumclub.com) is vibrant and easy to navigate, with an “about us” page for context and background along with the “shop” and other key pages. A quick pop-up box makes you confirm you are of age before proceeding since this is an alcoholic beverage after all but the process is very quick and you don’t have to sign up first.
The Product
Las Olas Spiced Rum - The Look
Fast forward a few days and the anticipation was finally over! My Las Olas order was here!
I was very impressed! The bottle just felt BOUJIE with its glass finish and unique design. As you might know, most rum bottles are bulky or bottom-heavy so this stood out for me. It was almost like a Ciroc bottle… but better. I’m going to sound mad geeky here but the top is my favourite part of the design with its flat top and extended lip allowing for a seamless pour. The design lives up to the premium name in my opinion and is widely talked about online. In all honesty, most rums are very similar so it really is all about the look just as much as the taste and this one is certainly ticking this box.
The logo is simple but powerful with its gold lettering reflecting against the light. The cap is the only part made from plastic but it has an integrated cork to seal the bottle which I really like as well. It honestly makes you feel like you’re a bartender in your own home, with a delicate cork “pop” after each open (it’s the small things for me).
The spiced rum is a honey red colour which appears a lighter golden syrup colour in the light. It definitely gives you spiced vibes!
The smell and Taste Test
Ok, let’s talk about the smell. From the minute it was opened you could tell this thing was lethal from its potent smell. It’s spiced, flavoursome and gives me serious Christmas vibes. It took me a minute to put my finger on the smell but I’ve concluded that it has a whiff of Christmas pudding… the good, rich nutty (and more importantly) alcoholic pudding! Mmmmm.
The taste: Well we weren’t wrong! It was strong!
Of course, I couldn’t possibly try this alone so I hit up a fellow Kenyan who can drinkkkk. I knew he wouldn’t be shy to share his opinions so he was perfect for the taste test. We like a cheeky 40% so we were ready to see how serious this truly was (if you didn’t know how much East African’s drink before, now you do). If you know me, you’ll know I like drinking my first drink straight or on the rocks so, in classic style, we started with a straight shot to appreciate (and judge) the taste. We weren’t sure what we were expecting but we came with a critical head. It’s not easy to please us and in hindsight, our first taste was perhaps a little too critical. Firstly, this drink is SMOOOTH and Goes down really well. You can also taste that its good quality which is a positive way to start.
Las Olas is a unique blend of different white rums from the Caribbean and includes aromatic notes of vanilla, gold cherry, and roasted coffee beans. The taste was strong but we felt it had an aftertaste that we couldn’t put our finger on. I couldn’t say it was something we liked or hate but it had an aftertaste that made us think we might prefer it to be mixed than drank on the rocks. I’m just being honest here. We mixed it with coke (the drink obvs) and the aftertaste had gone. The rum mixed beautifully and was strong but still subtle. This is the sort of drink that will suddenly creep up on you and the next minute you’ll be feeling the wave. This is my warning for all the lightweights! You might not be able to handle the wave so proceed with caution!
Las Olas and Coke - A classic.
It’s funny though, since the first shot, I can’t taste it anymore. I’m aware that rums have an aftertaste and actually, this is probably one of the best out there now that I’ve had it a few times. Maybe it was just us looking for something to focus on or perhaps we just weren’t used to it at first. I write this with a straight shot next to me and I can confirm that every try after the initial taste has been pleasant and it’s a beautiful drink.
I gave it to another Kenyan friend (you have to test this with the serious drinkers) and she LOVED it. Her first comments were “this is spicy!” with a cheeky grin. The strength test is deffo an 8-9/10 which is what we like to hear. It’s super strong and it hits you quickly but for the seasonal drinkers, it also fades away quickly too (unless of course, you’re drinking a lot in one go). It’s good value for money and is one you’ll be proud to bring around guests and as a gift.
I can imagine this being a great rum for cooking things such as BBQ sauce, Rum cakes, and Christmas desserts or desserts in general. If someone doesn’t take the opportunity to make a Las Olas Christmas pudding this year you’ve missed out. In fact, I might look up the recipe or and attempt (keyword here) to make my own! I’ll let you know though!
We’re so quick to jump on the bandwagon of “supporting our own” but sadly, the product often isn’t up to scratch and the customer service is poor or unprofessional…
This is a great drink as a present and can be consumed on any occasion. It’s the perfect look for the home bar and stands out with its premium design. I’m really happy with the product and cannot wait for the team to refine and improve further. The product has been professionally produced and has all the certifications required so you know this is legit stuff. The team didn’t cut corners here and even delayed the launch to make sure that it was of the best quality.
Sebby talks of the importance of quality and longevity in his recent promo tour. In his latest appearance on Off The Cuff Podcast (found on Spotify etc), he acknowledges that “Just because I’m black it doesn’t mean people are going to support me… everything needs to be good quality.” Not only has he gone to great lengths to understand his market and the industry, but he’s looked at what exists already and has put his twist to it and so far it’s going well!
recipes to try
If you’re not drinking it straight, there are a few cocktails already floating around and people have got creative with it! You can have a classic rum and coke like with did with a dash of lemon and ice or you can be adventurous with it.
The video above is the Las Olas “Planters punch.” Here’s what you need to make it:
40ml Las Olas Spiced Rum
10ml Grenadine
50ml Pineapple juice
5ml sugar syrup.
@MrMeeds on twitter has also come up with two Las Olas based cocktails:
The “Gent”
2 shots of Las Olas Spiced Rum
. • 1 shot of Dissarono.
• 5 shots of Cloudy apple juice.
• Ice cubes. (Shake well)
The “Ashy Berry”
• 2 shots of Las Olas Spiced Rum
• 1 shot of Amaretto
• 1/2 shot of vodka
• 6 shots of Raspberry lemonade
• 2 squeezes of Acacia Honey (m&s)
• Ice (Shake with composure -fizz- )
• Pour into a glass with ice stacked
• Garnish with Strawberry Sweet
Feel free to create your own recipes and don’t forget to tag @lasOlasUk on their socials!
Q&A’s
Where can I buy Las Olas Spiced Rum?
A: It is currently only available on their website, however they plan to expand to shops and bars so keep your eyes peeled! I know that Truth bar in Barnet, North Ldn has it’s hand on this already, so feel free to go for a drink or two!
How long does it take to be delivered?
A: 5-7 working days, though this will soon be quicker. The bottles are Delivered by DPD who are reliable and efficient. You will get a text from Las Olas a day or so before it’s arrival and then a more accurate time slot on the day. The communication so far has been brilliant so I hope they keep it up!
What if I have a problem or query?
A: You can contact Las Olas via Email > Hello@lasolasrumclub.com < or contact them on their socials or the website. They’re very responsive so you’ll be sorted in no time!
How old do you need to be?
A: The legal drinking limit is 18, therefore, you must be age 18 and above to purchase and consume Las Olas Spiced Rum.
How many bottles can you buy?
You are currently capped at 6 bottles per order, though I’d be impressed if you could get through a full bottle (or two) without catching a wave.
to order, head over to https://lasolasrumclub.com/.
Image credits: Las Olas UK
This Rum has got approval from team Kenya (the only approval you need in my opinion) and we’re sure you’ll love it too! This may be the end to other rums and will be the only rum I’ll be drinking for a while! I need a few bottles for Christmas and I may give a few out as presents if I’m not too broke, but I’ll be enjoying some Las Olas on my birthday that’s for sure.
For anyone wondering, this is my genuine opinion so don’t think I’m being sponsored to do this (though I wouldn’t say no to a free bottle - hint hint). Like all my reviews, I give you my honest feedback and I’m super proud to support a brand that has done such a great job so far. Of course, there are improvements to be made, but we need improvements for growth. Personally, I can’t wait to see what the packaging will look like since they don’t come in a case at the moment (but they are shipped in protective material so don’t worry!). I expect it to be a beautiful as the bottle so don’t let me down!
I wish the team all the best with this brand and I can’t wait to see how far they go. They have a lot of support so far and rightly so. Watch this space and remember the name! You might find this in your local one day.
Las Olas is The New Rum In Town and it’s here to stay.
Rating - 8/10
Price: ÂŁ35 with shipping on top.
To answer my first question, it certainly gets you waved - The question is can YOU handle it? There’s only one way to find out…
Liz x