Fasssprache Tasting Set - Now 50% Off

Discover the art of cask aging

Welcome to our look at how rum ages using Nicolas Kröger's Fasssprache Tasting Set. If you're a rum enthusiast, you probably know that its flavor isn't just about how it's made, but also how it's aged.

17 May 2024


Aging is what transforms plain alcohol into a rich and flavorful drink. In our interview with Nicolas, we dive into how different types of wood used for aging can change the taste of rum.

What's in the Set?

This unique tasting experience includes 16 samples of 2cl each, a detailed booklet, and an informative video, where Nicolas and cooper Markus Eder (YouTube) discuss each of the 16 rums and the various woods in detail.

Act Now: 50% Off

Wagemut is proud of everything the team has achieved. But not everything goes according to plan: the passion project Fasssprache didn’t perform as expected. The sets tie up significant capital and have been sitting unused in storage.

That’s why Wagemut is taking an unprecedented step: the Fasssprache Tasting Set is now available for a staggering 50% off! Originally €99.99, it’s now just €49.95.

“Boy, oh boy—I never thought I’d do this…” – Nicolas Kröger, Wagemut

Why you need to grab this now

  • Limited quantity: Once these sets are gone, there will be no reissue.
  • Nobody has done this before! Experience the aromatic impact of 15 diverse woods. Guys, we’re talking about Mizunara, Chestnu and other crazy wood types!

Only while supplies last! ⏳ Secure your Fasssprache Tasting Set at half price and dive into the fascinating world of cask aging.

👉 Buy now for €49.95 (50% off)

Why Explore Different Woods?

Nicolas was curious about the effects of non-traditional woods on rum flavors. While over 99% of casks used in the rum and whiskey industries are oak, Nicolas wanted to explore others like walnut and ash. This curiosity led to the creation of the Fasssprache Set, which lets you experience how different woods influence the flavor of the same base rum, providing a clear comparison.

How Can You Get a More Personal Learning Experience?

The YouTube video included with the Fasssprache Tasting Set provides a comprehensive look at different woods used for aging rum. Nicolas Kröger and Markus Eder discuss each wood's unique impacts on rum, detailing the advantages and challenges of using them for barrel making and aging. Inspired by this detailed insights, we aimed to create a more engaging and interactive experience. This led us to collaborate with Nicolas to develop the RumX Sensory Masterclass. This event is not just a typical online tasting session; it's an opportunity to connect directly with Nicolas in a live setting

Get Your Tasting Kit Today

Are you excited to explore advanced cask-aged rums? Click here to buy your Fasssprache Tasting Kit and join this exclusive rum adventure. Don't miss this chance to learn more about fine rum right from your home. Every purchase from the RumX marketplace helps us improve the app. Thanks for your support! ☺🥃

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Interview with Nicolas Kröger

Now that you're all set with your Fasssprache Tasting Set and looking forward to the masterclass, let’s take a moment to hear directly from Nicolas Kröger, the creator behind these unique experience. We chatted with Nicolas to understand how he chooses the barrels for aging rum, what makes these rums different, and his thoughts on the future of rum.

Nicolas Kröger in the Wagemut warehouse

RumX: What part does cask ageing play in the final taste of a rum?

Nicolas: As is so often the case, there is no general answer to this question. For a rum produced in the Spanish style - i.e. a very light rum style distilled in a colonne - cask ageing accounts for up to 95%, whereas for a young high ester Jamaican rum it can only account for a few percent. 
In general, however, it can be said that cask ageing accounts for around 70% of the flavor.
 However, this is from a very traditional point of view - the market still only works with wood to a very limited extent. 
If we work with the new possibilities created by the Fasssprache project, then we can make the wooden cask the absolute star, which clearly determines the flavor profile. If that's what you want.

RumX: Which factors have the strongest influence on the effect of the cask on the rum distillate, and how significant are these in comparison to each other? For example, the type of wood, the pre-seasoning, the cask size and the storage period.

Nicolas: The type of wood plays an extremely important role - but the industry has so far paid almost no attention to it.
 In addition to the age and pre-seasoning of the cask, the climatic conditions are also very important: How warm is the environment and how high is the humidity. This is even more relevant than the ageing period.

RumX: Why do traditional types of wood and pre-seasoning such as bourbon dominate in rum maturation, while non-traditional types of wood such as Acacia or Caucasian oak are rarely used? Is this mainly due to sourcing challenges, uncertainty about experience, or do the flavors of such woods harmonize less well with the rum?

Nicolas: There are several aspects to this.
 The most important point is that bourbon casks were available cheaply and in large quantities. Over the last few decades, this has resulted in the typical style that we know today.
 Even if the prices for bourbon casks have risen in the meantime, they are still a fraction of the price of handcrafted casks made from woods such as mulberry or pear.
 However, I often observe that people don't really think about this, but simply carry on as before. 
True to the motto: It works.

RumX: Your Fasssprache tasting set experiments with unusual types of wood. What are the benefits of maturing in these types of wood and what unique aromas and characteristics do they contribute to rum refinement?

Nicolas: A variety of flavors! We are able to enter completely new worlds. There are woods that bring smoky aromas into the rum and others even give off nuances ranging from nutty to cotton candy. It's really amazing what's going on and how many possibilities are offered to us as connoisseurs.

RumX: What criteria do you use to select the casks for your rums? Are there certain combinations of rum styles and cask types that you find particularly effective? Which are your favorites?

Nicolas: Basically, I taste the rum and then decide what I want to do with it. 
Do I want to mature the rum in wood for over 10 years? Or do I have a rum that has already matured and is still missing something? In some cases, the material has become a little dull after a very long ageing period - a wood like chestnut can breathe new life into it. 
Basically, my aim is to create a complex, balanced product.
The different types of wood and casks offer me a lot of possibilities.
However, I am always able to increase the complexity with the right cask and thus increase the quality.

RumX: How will the knowledge that participants acquire in your masterclass influence their future rum journey? In what ways can they use this know-how to enjoy rums more consciously and with a deeper understanding in the future?

Nicolas: The most important insight will be that we as connoisseurs get an idea of what is possible. With woods like cherry, the change in flavor was sometimes so strong that I'm really glad I produced the set - otherwise I would have found it really hard to believe the extent of the flavor development and change.
 Rum is already the most diverse spirit in the world. However, we are still at the very beginning. Wild fermented rum styles such as Clairin in Haiti or different fermentation times at Hampden and Savanna give a good picture of how diverse this beautiful world is.
 When it comes to cask ageing, however, we have only reached 10% of the potential at most.

RumX: Which release from the Fasssprache project is your personal favorite and why?

Nicolas: Walnut. The wood adds an enormous depth without dominating the rum - as was the case with Kiri & Cherry, for example.
 And the Japanese Mizunara oak. The stuff is also really wild with its exotic coconut note due to the high lactone content. The fact that it's the most expensive oak cask in the world also makes it that little bit more special.

16 Samples and box of the Fasssprache tasting kit

Ready to Explore the Art of Rum Aging?

If you've enjoyed learning about the impact of different woods on rum through our interview, the Fasssprache Tasting Set is your next step. This kit not only allows you to taste the nuanced flavors discussed but also deepens your understanding of how each wood contributes to the rum's final character.

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your appreciation of fine spirits and contribute to the RumX community. Buy your tasting set now and start your journey into the sophisticated world of rum aging!

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Join the Conversation

Have you ever wondered which type of wood could create unique flavors when used for aging rum? Or do you have a favorite wood in mind that hasn’t been tried yet? Share your thoughts in the comments below and see how other RumX members feel about your ideas. It’s a great way to connect with fellow rum enthusiasts and possibly spark a new Fasssprache project! What’s your pick for an experimental cask? Let’s discuss!