AH Riise Ultra Premium Black Coral Edition (2024)

AH Riise Ultra Premium Black Coral Edition (2024)

AH Riise Black Coral rum limited edition is a rare, ultra premium matured rum, inspired by the unique black coral from the West Indies. It combines a subtle aroma of dried fruits and fresh hay with a soft taste of roasted hazelnuts and dried stone fruits. Only 5,990 numbered bottles are available, making it an exclusive collector's item.

Scent: Subtle but appealing scent of dried fruits, high esters, followed by fresh hay.
Taste: Soft umami from oak, combined with roasted hazelnuts, dried stone fruits and a light hint of tobacco.
Aftertaste: Long lingering taste of oak and mild tannins, accompanied by dried fruit peel and volatile spices.

AH Riise Ultra Premium Black Coral Edition is a rare limited edition rum with an alcohol strength of 45.8%. Inspired by the rare black coral found in the seas around the West Indies, this rum offers a unique sensory experience. Polished to a beautiful sheen, the black coral symbolizes the artisanal perfection that is also reflected in the refined taste and aroma of this rum.

With its subtle scent of dried fruits and fresh hay, as well as a complex flavor of roasted hazelnuts, dried stone fruits and a hint of tobacco, Black Coral manages to create a deep, rounded flavor profile. The aftertaste is long and rich, dominated by oak and mild tannins, combined with notes of dried fruit peel and volatile spices.

Each batch is numbered, emphasizing that AH Riise Black Coral is unique and rare. With only 5,990 numbered bottles available, it is not only a premium matured rum, but also a sought-after collector's item for enthusiasts. This rum is part of the “Black Gem Collection,” which celebrates the rare black gems, and represents the essence of what rums from the West Indies can offer.

About AH Riise

Albert Heinrich Riise (1810-1882) originally came from Ærøskøbing and was educated as a cand. pharm. in Copenhagen, where he was later employed at Det kgl. Military and Waisenhus pharmacy.

Riise had a strong ambition to open his own pharmacy, and when the opportunity arose, he traveled in 1838 to the island of Sankt Thomas in the then Danish West Indies. After some detours, he managed to open St. Thomas Apothecary Hall AH Riise.

He quickly discovered that there was good money in selling more than just pharmacy products. Therefore, he expanded the range to also include household items, cosmetics, preserves, chocolate and much more. His wholesale business supplied goods to the entire Caribbean archipelago.

The AH Riise brand is born

Riise also began producing rum and bitters, initially for medicinal use against stomach problems and other ailments. He developed brands such as Old St. Croix, Riise's Guava Rum and AH Riise Rum. The sale of rum went so well that Riise became a wealthy and influential man. He was given many positions of trust at St. Thomas, among other things as chairman of the Colonial Council, director of Bank and St. Thomas, churchwarden, member of the City Council and board member of several companies. In 1860 he became a Knight of the Dannebrog, and in 1878 he became an Etatsraad – an honorable title – for his donation of $6,000 to St. Thomas Municipality for the purchase of three school buildings.

From St. Thomas to Frederiksberg

Albert Riise left the pharmacy at Skt. Thomas to his son-in-law Jens Alfred Alexius Jørgensen and moved to Copenhagen, where he bought a large villa, which he called "Villa St. Thomas". Here he created a park with rare plants, ponds and a large greenhouse. He died in the villa in 1882, aged 72, and his grave can still be visited at Solbjerg Park Cemetery.

In 1883, the sons Valdemar and Karl took over the pharmacy at Skt. Thomas. Unfortunately, the pharmacy burned to the ground at Christmas 1895 due to a lit candle igniting a Christmas tree. Valdemar quickly rebuilt the pharmacy, but due to prolonged illness and the declining commercial importance of the Danish West Indies, he sold both the pharmacy and Riise Bay Rum to Oluf Volmer Poulsen in 1913.

After the sale of the Danish West Indies to the USA in 1917, Poulsen transferred his grant to Svane Apotek in Vejle. The pharmacy at Skt. Thomas still exists today under the name "Vejle St Thomas Apotek". The name AH Riise lives on at Skt. Thomas, among other things with AH Riise Mall at Main Street 37, where rum and bitters are still produced under the name AH Riise.