Fumus Pumila Smoked Apple Brandy

About the Producers

Baltimore Spirits co is a distillery in the north side of Baltimore, a few blocks away from John Hopkins and the Zoo. There are scant details about the distillery online but it seems like their biggest focus in on rye whiskey. In addition they produce several type of liqueurs and apple brandies.

Fumus Pumila is an interesting spirit. Their goal was to produce an apple brandy similar to a smoky mezcal. They do this by smoking the apple skins and flesh and fermenting that with juice. A very unique product. In addition to this expression they also have a more traditional apple brandy and Asimidia Pumila which is redistilled with paw paw fruit persimmon, black walnuts and ham.

Details

Fermented in wooden vats on smoked apple pomace.
Double pot distilled
No details on what apples used.
Distilled to proof, no water added after distillation.
50% abv.
Got for $33 on Seelbachs

Nose

It’s surprisingly restrained for a 50% spirit. Both apple and smoke are there but faint. It is kind of like a fruity mescal; I think they achieved their goal here. Fairly sweet smelling. Black pepper spice which I think comes from the smoke.

Palate

Full flavored; much more flavorful than the nose would suggest. Sweet bakes apple. Smokiness is noticeable but not overwhelming; like Springbank level for those into scotch. Black pepper spice. Like the nose just bigger. Tasty but texture is fairly harsh which brings it down.

Finish

Long with simple syrup sweetness.

Rating: 5

Overall

Good flavors and long finish is brought down by a harsh texture and a week nose. Overall this is a unique eau-de-vie at a great price. I recommend giving it a try if you are interested since this is one of the cheaper apple eau-de-vie out there.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect