The Fine, Aged Rum Thread

[boss302]

I'll post on a spirit that seems, at least to me, to be a natural progression in spirits taste from bourbon, and that is aged rum.

One of my favorites has been Angostura 12-year (Trinidad), but I recently purchased a bottle of Mount Gay Extra Old (Barbados)-- a collection of batches aged up to 17 years. I got it at the State Store for $45/btl.

IMHO, this is one of the better aged rums. While it does still have a gentle burn to it (which most bourbon drinkers should be accustomed to), it is quite refined, with ample notes of vanilla, caramel, nutmeg, and allspice. There is also definitely a hint of butter toffee in the nose-- in fact, the nose of this rum has a unique "buttery" quality that I haven't experienced in any other rum as of yet.

[T47]

I have gotten into Rums a little and found a few that I enjoy very much. My favorite at this point is Ron Zacapa Centenario Reserva, followed closely by Zaya Gran Reserva. I find they both have wonderfully rich flavors. I have enjoyed most of the others I have tried (Mount Gay Extra Old, Appleton Estate V/X, Angostura 1824 and Barbancourt 15) but the flavor just does not seem as rich or deep to me. The only one I have not enjoyed is Pyrat XO. I found the orange flavor over powering, one friend described it's flavor as like an orange liquor...and I think I agree. I won't give up on the bottle, its OK just not what I was looking for.

[kickert]

I am a personal fan of the Flor De Cana 7 year. For a $20 bottle, it is excellent.

[Josh]

As cheesy as it looks, the Sailor Jerry is some really good stuff, too. Don't know if it qualifies as fine, aged rum, but it's a damn good beverage.

[boss302]

I have gotten into Rums a little and found a few that I enjoy very much. My favorite at this point is Ron Zacapa Centenario Reserva, followed closely by Zaya Gran Reserva. I find they both have wonderfully rich flavors. I have enjoyed most of the others I have tried (Mount Gay Extra Old, Appleton Estate V/X, Angostura 1824 and Barbancourt 15) but the flavor just does not seem as rich or deep to me. The only one I have not enjoyed is Pyrat XO. I found the orange flavor over powering, one friend described it's flavor as like an orange liquor...and I think I agree. I won't give up on the bottle, its OK just not what I was looking for.

The Ron Zacapa and Zaya Gran Reserva are going to be my next two purchases-- they were right next to the Mount Gay XO, which I have been wanting to try for ages. The Ron Zacapa looks particularly-interesting, since the batches are married in a Spanish Sherry Solera, with batches aged in bourbon, sherry... and some other type of cask I can't quite remember...

[MissingKY]

I've been trying to learn more about rum lately, too. I've really loved my bottle of Appleton Extra (aged 12 years and somewhat bourbon-like; I can really pick out wood/barrel characteristics). I also have bottles of Matusalem Gran Reserva, which has a nice flavor but a finish that's too short, and Pusser's, which has a smoky flavor that I really like, that I've been enjoying. I've got a Mount Gay Extra Old, but I haven't cracked it yet.

I'm with T47. The only thing I've bought that I haven't really enjoyed is a 375 ml bottle of Pyrat Pistol. It's by no means a bad drink, and if you think about it as an orange liqueur and have a little cordial glass of it, it's pretty tasty. As a neat drink in a tumbler, though, it's got such an overpowering sweet orange flavor that I can really only drink 25-30 ml of it.

[swampguy]

I like El Dorado 12 and 15 years. I actually like the 12 better. Rum is a wonderful drink and almost ever Carbi island and central American country has its own. I hope to try them all.

[Megawatt]

The good ones I've tried are El Dorado 12, Flor de Cana 7, and Angostura 8. Appleton's Reserve is pretty good as well, more of a rich taste than the others.

[jonholl]

I've tried some of the aged rums, but "bang for the buck" is Gosling Black Seal for me. Most of the aged rums were good, as was S. Jerry's & the Flor de Cana but I mostly buy the Gosling these days for summer drinks.

[sailor22]

I agree a good aged Rum is a wonderful pour. There are so many Rums that I like a lot;
Zacapa 23 Anjos - I find it more complex than the current 23 solara
the previous iteration of Zacapa XO is really special too - I haven't tried the new US version.
El Dorado 15, 21 and 25.
Mt Gay XO, Cruzan Single Barrel, Monte Christo 12, Cubaney 15, Both Zaya's - Trinidad and Guatamala, Barbancourt Reserve Dumaine 15yr all deserve a spot on the shelf.
I loved the Pyrat from a few years ago and thought the older Cask was really special - but none of the current offerings get poured any more. They all taste like "flavor infused" cheap liquor to me.

I just tried some Depaz Blue Cane and thought it was really good and different than the previously mentioned mostly dark Rums.

YUM!