From Sparrow’s rum list, Kirk & Sweeny Burning is a bold, pepper-finished Dominican rum, a sweet-then-spicy sipper for anyone who likes a little heat with their caramel ($13 by the pour, or $19.50 for a larger pour).
About Kirk & Sweeny Burning
Kirk & Sweeny takes its name from a wooden schooner famous for running rum from the Caribbean to the Northeast during Prohibition. The modern brand is crafted in the Dominican Republic and bottled by 3 Badge Beverage out of Sonoma. This Burning expression, often labeled Burning Mast, builds on the house’s aged Dominican rum and finishes it in barrels that previously held hot peppers, which is where the name and the kick come from. It is named for the rare storm effect sailors called a burning mast, when a ship’s mast appeared to glow with fire.
Tasting Notes
Expect the classic Dominican rum backbone of caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar, then a wave of warming chili-pepper spice on the finish. There are notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a little roasted coffee underneath. It is sweet and rich up front with a genuine, lingering heat that sets it apart from a standard aged rum.
What to Pair It With
The pepper finish makes this a fun one to sip neat or on a cube, and it also adds a spicy twist to a rum Old Fashioned. The heat loves bold, savory food from the Sparrow dinner menu, like the Lamb Quesa-Birria Tacos or the Guajillo Chicken. Enjoy it after dinner in our 21+ lounge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kirk & Sweeny Burning from?
It is a Dominican rum, crafted in the Dominican Republic and named after a Prohibition-era rum-running schooner. The Burning expression is finished in pepper barrels for a spicy character.
How much is a pour of Kirk & Sweeny Burning at Sparrow?
At Sparrow in Kirkland, Kirk & Sweeny Burning is $13 by the pour, or $19.50 for a larger pour.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu next to its sibling, the Kirk & Sweeny Reserva. We are in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside, so reserve a table and come try it.