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Best Aged Rum
Rum is the second largest selling spirit category in the U.S. Yet most people still have the impression that rum should only be used in cocktails. Of course rum is perfect in daiquiries, punches and mai tais— but aged rums can also be alluring enough to stand on their own.
Rum is a sugar cane distilled spirit that is positively influenced by terroir, tradition and technique. Most rums are bottled directly from the still, but a select few are aged in charred oak barrels. Typically, these barrels were previously used to age bourbon (from the U.S.) or scotch, cognac and sherry (from Europe).
In some cases, the rum is allowed to blend and mature in another barrel for a second maturation. This rum is designated as “single barrel”. Occasionally distillers will top off their barrels with rums of the same age. Or in the case of a “solera”, with rums that is one year younger. Bottling occurs straight from the barrel. In the U.S., the age is determined by the youngest spirit in the bottle, and must be indicated by an age statement.
The distillation process, the barrels, and warm climates all combine to produce rums that are darker in color, richer in flavor, mellower and more aromatic than non-aged rums. Aged rum offers a full spectrum of flavors ranging from butterscotch and cinnamon to tropical fruits and tobacco— best enjoyed straight or on the rocks for casual sipping.
The drink of choice by pirates and princes, rum has earned its place in history. Here are some interesting rum facts:
1493 - Columbus brings sugar cane to Hispaniola.
1636 - Sugar cane becomes the chief crop of all the Caribbean islands.
1687 - Rum is officially adopted as the daily ration for the Royal Navy.
1740 - The Royal Navy’s rum ration is diluted with water and called “grog”.
1750 - The state of Massachusetts has 63 distilleries producing rum made from molasses.
1879 - Tobago exports 500,000 gallons of rum to Europe.
1980 - Rum outsells vodka in the U.S. and outsells whiskey for the first time since the early 1800's.
The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting of 30 aged rums from 14 countries with 17 pre-qualified judges. Strict tasting rules were applied. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Each of the rums were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at slightly above room temperature. Only ice water, neutral unflavored crackers and bar snacks were available to cleanse the palate. The judges tasted through four flights of 7 rums and one flight of 2 rums. Food was served during a break between the third and fourth flights.
The judges wrote down their impressions of each product on score sheets. The scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the best. Double-Gold, Gold and Silver medals are awarded based on a set range of final point scores received from the judges.
The tasting notes which follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions. The countries of origin are identified for each brand.
Here are the final results:
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DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS:
1. Zaya 12 -
(Trinidad & Tobago)
Nose: Rich, baked sugar, molasses, toffee, vanilla cake, buttery, chocolate, fudge, almonds, walnut, cola notes, sherry. Palate: Molasses, brown sugar, sweet cane, buttery, chocolate fudge, caramel, vanilla, dried fruit, hazelnut, coconut, perfectly balanced, delicious. Finish: Soft, gentle, clean, easy, smooth, very balanced, mellow, great.
Double Gold Medal
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2. Dictador 20-
(Colombia)
Nose: Dried fruit, cola, sweet, honey, maple syrup, molasses, dark muscovado, sugar cane, vanilla, creamy. Palate: Brown sugar, burnt maple, butterscotch, molasses, walnut, dried fruit, chocolate, cola, buttery, very smooth, balanced, outstanding. Finish: Woody, spice, smooth, easy, well balanced, lingering.
Double Gold Medal
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3. Two-Way Tie -
Pusser's 15 -
(Tortola, B.V.I.)
Nose: Bourbon-like, vanilla, treacle, nutmeg, spice, green fruit, pine, oak. Palate: Sherry cask, raisin, prune, apricot, caramel, mollases, spice, woody, oak, well balanced. Finish: Prune, buttery, sweet, wood, oak, very clean, soft, perfectly balanced.
Double Gold Medal
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Ron Zacapa 23 yr. -
(Guatemala)
Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, brown sugar, honey, molasses, vanilla, cinnamon, pineapple, herbal. Palate: Vanilla, prune, raisin, cane sugar, treacle, soft cola, vanilla, walnut, toast, hay, flowers, sour mash, woody, nice, smooth, light, balanced, flavorful, like a summer day, elegant. Finish: Creamy, spicy, sherry, crisp, gentle, soft, short.
Double Gold Medal
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4. Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva -
(Venezuela)
Nose: Tropical fruit, clotted cream, buttery, caramel, vanilla, light maple, coconut, nutty. Palate: Tropical fruit, banana, honey, caramel, caramelized sugar, vanilla, nutty, tobacco, sweet, smooth, well balanced, amazing. Finish: Caramel, soft, spicy, silky, smooth, delightful.
Gold Medal
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5. Vizcaya VXOP -
(Dominican Republic)
Nose: Subtle, lightly fruity, creamy, vanilla, almonds, light cane, blossom, soft. Palate: Rich caramel, butterscotch, toffee, vanilla, dried fruit, apricots, orange, mango, grass, coffee, wood, oak, spice, creamy, silky. Finish: Rich cola, burnt molasses, tropical fruit, spice, well balanced, soft, smooth.
Double Gold Medal
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GOLD MEDAL WINNERS:
Clarke’s Court Old Grog -
(Grenada)
Nose: Ripe fruits, banana, coconut, dried fruit, sugary, bubble gum, citrus. Palate: Tropical fruit, banana, pineapple, creamy, caramel, cane, cinnamon, floral, smooth, mellow. Finish: Ripe fruit, woody, spicy, soft, subtle.
Gold Medal
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Gosling’s Black Seal -
(Bermuda)
Nose: Ripe bananas, cola, cinnamon notes, toffee, spicy, gardenia, blossom, light herbal. Palate: Banana, dates, molasses, sugar cane, maple, ginger, nutmeg, mint, nutty, woody, smoky, robust, dense, very smooth, well balanced, well crafted. Finish: Some spice, nutmeg, banana leaf, tea, brown sugar, smooth, gentle, very clean, woody.
Gold Medal
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Bohemio 15 -
(Panama)
Nose: Fruity, vanilla, molasses, sweet corn, floral, rich, soft, light. Palate: Dried fruit, fruity, caramel, molasses, dark sugar, honey Graham, clove, cinnamon, spices, medium spicy, nutty, tobacco, oak, fantastic. Finish: Burnt orange, peppery, spicy, silky, creamy, mead-like, light, crisp, smooth, mellow.
Gold Medal
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Dzama Rhum Cuvee Noire Prestige 3 yr. -
(Madagascar)
Nose: Dried orange, butterscotch, caramel, molasses, honey, vanilla, chocolate-covered pretzel, round. Palate: Caramel, toffee, honey, vanilla, honey Graham, creamy, hazelnut, coffee, milk chocolate, silky, sweet, leather. Finish: Buttery, toasted honey, light, creamy, smooth, mellow.
Gold Medal
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Clarke’s Court #37 -
(Grenada)
Nose: Dried fruit, fruity, banana, coconut, fresh figs, nutmeg, woody, toast, light. Palate: Peach, apricot, banana cream pie, mango, pear, melon, caramel, molasses, toffee, barley, pepper, exceptional. Finish: Citrusy, cinnamon, spicy, woody, smooth, lingering.
Gold Medal
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Havana Club Añejo Reserva -
(Cuba)
Nose: Banana, strawberry, vanilla, citrus, nutty, dried fruit, spice, light, subtle. Palate: Hazelnut, almond, buttery, toffee, perfect touch of honey, vanilla, sherry, woody, soft, gentle, smooth, complex, balanced, nice, great. Finish: Apple & honey, good caramel, pepper, light, easy, smooth.
Gold Medal
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Ron Zacapa XO -
(Guatemala)
Nose: Caramel, banana cream, oaky, herbal, grassy, light wheat, citrus, light, crisp. Palate: Molasses, toffee, dates, raisins, toast, coffee with milk, allspice, eucalyptus, wood notes, well balanced, exceptionally smooth. Finish: Fruitcake, peppery, clean, mellow.
Gold Medal
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Ron Carupano Añejo -
(Venezuela)
Nose: Dried fruit, green leaves, unripe fruit, honey, caramel, toffee, treacle, butterscotch, sherry. Palate: Butterscotch, caramel, maple, honey, molasses, tropical fruit, coconut, herbal, peppery, sherry cask, smoky, soft, smooth, nuanced. Finish: Toffee, clean, fresh, light, easy, gentle, nicely balanced, mellow.
Gold Medal
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Don Q Gran Añejo -
(Puerto Rico)
Nose: Floral, vanilla, faint honey, toffee, coconut, sweet, citrus. Palate: Buttery, vanilla, caramel, molasses, banana, licorice, spicy, woody, well balanced, complex, very good. Finish: Creamy, vanilla notes, peppery, spice, smooth as silk.
Gold Medal
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Gosling’s Gold -
(Bermuda)
Nose: Hazelnuts, caramel, toffee, herbal, flowery, lemon grass, spring-like. Palate: Dried apricots, citrus, caramel, buttery, toffee, cane sugar, vanilla, coffee, espresso, nutty, peppery, spice, well balanced, solid, well rounded, what a fine rum should be. Finish: Soft, spicy, smooth, balanced.
Gold Medal
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South Sea -
(Australia)
Nose: Tropical fruit, ripe bananas, coconut, citrus, lemon, molasses, treacle, vanilla, flowery, mint, nutty, Graham cracker, toasty, bold. Palate: Strawberry, sherry, woody, tree bark, eucalyptus, flowers, toast, coconut, almond, caramel, creamy, acidic, well balanced, smooth, pleasant. Finish: Woody character, spicy, peppery, toffee, cereal, soft, smooth.
Gold Medal
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Bohemio 8 yr. -
(Panama)
Nose: Brown sugar, pure cane, caramel, toffee, fruit, nutmeg, thistle, nice. Palate: Apricot, treacle, buttery, barley, corn, molasses, peppery, flowers, light, soft, smooth, golden. Finish: Spicy, gentle, soft, smooth, nice, lingering.
Gold Medal
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Dictador 12 yr. -
(Colombia)
Nose: Creamy coconut, pineapple, dark fruit, cane, sweet, maple syrup, vanilla, subtle spice. Palate: Caramel, butterscotch, Graham cracker, cola, prune, fruit, malt, coffee, clove, peppery, spice, oak, well balanced. Finish: Rich, deep caramel, raisin, black pepper, gentle spice.
Gold Medal
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Pusser's 3 yr. -
(Tortola, B.V.I.)
Nose: Maple, banana, dried fruit, caramel , toffee, butterscotch, honey, brown sugar, dark muscovado, black walnut, spice, sweet cane, soft. Palate: Banana, pineapple, Christmas dried fruit, raisins, hazelnut, honey, vanilla, caramel, toffee, creamy, buttery, nutty, cinnamon, allspice, quite nice. Finish: Soft, round, balanced, oak, spicy, molasses, sweet wood.
Gold Medal
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Gosling’s Family Reserve Old Rum -
(Bermuda)
Nose: Raisin, prune, buttery, molasses, caramel, sherry, cola, soft. Palate: Toffee, molasses, honey, buttery, creamy, fruit cake spices, cinnamon, orange, ginger, clove, nutmeg, wood notes, rich, nicely balanced, very enjoyable. Finish: Dried dark fruits, rum cake, spice, oaky, dry.
Gold Medal
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Pyrat -
(Various Caribbean)
Nose: Sweet candy, strawberry licorice, raspberry candy, fruity, apricot, honey, citrus. Palate: Molasses, demerara sugar, sweet candy, cola, orange, orange marmalade, tangerine, apricot, cherry, cinnamon, chocolate, hot spice, hot anise. Finish: Ripe banana, lemon, creamy fruit, sweet, clove, soft, round.
Gold Medal
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Carupano Legendario -
(Venezuela)
Nose: Brown sugar, light banana, sweet, cane, maple, caramel, bubble gum. Palate: Dried fruit, apricot, marzipan, butterscotch, salty caramel, dried coconut, rose, barrel wood, smoky, nutty, creamy, soft, balanced, really nice. Finish: Soft, gentle, smooth, light pepper, long.
Gold Medal
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SILVER MEDAL WINNERS:
Bohemio 3 yr. -
(Panama)
Nose: Faint herbs, green apple, very light, sweet, butterscotch. Palate: Vanilla, sugar cane, cola notes, plum, apricot, dried fruit, cinnamon, almond, nutmeg, oak, wood. Finish: Slight toffee, round, woody notes, slight spice, robust.
Silver Medal
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Bohemio Honey -
(Panama)
Nose: Honey, pollen. Palate: Honey, creamy honey. Finish: Honey, smooth.
Silver Medal
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Dzama Rhum Nosy Be Prestige 4 yr. -
(Madagascar)
Nose: Floral, light, subtle, cream, creamy, vanilla, oak, sweet, soft, round. Palate: Honey, toffee, molasses, semi-sweet, peppermint, rose petals, floral notes, grass, anise, wheat, nutty, oak. Finish: Spice, clean, smooth, well balanced.
Silver Medal
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Don Q Gran Añejo -
(Puerto Rico)
Nose: Woody, treacle, honeysuckle notes, nutty, citrus, green leaves, almost peaty. Palate: Light spice, rye, treacle, raisins, dried flowers, spicy, peppery, dry, herbal notes. Finish: Dry, soft, buttery, smooth.
Silver Medal
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Diplomático Reserva Añejo -
(Venezuela)
Nose: Creamy, vanilla, butter, nutty, cinnamon, floral, delicate pine, soft. Palate: Dried citrus, butterscotch, caramel, creamy, vanilla, burnt honey, nuts, coconut, spicy, oak, pine, rustic, well balanced. Finish: Burnt orange, smoky, spicy.
Silver Medal
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Rhum Barbancourt 8 yr. -
(Haiti)
Nose: Smoky, sugar cane, soft fruits, grass, tea leaf, citrus, nutty. Palate: Toffee, treacle, vanilla, buttery, creamy, hazelnut, walnut, dried fruit, herbs, wood, oak, light, smooth. Finish: Toffee, light, soft.
Silver Medal
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Gold Miner -
(United States)
Nose: Herbal, grass, cinnamon, cask sherry, sweet cherry, caramel, sweet. Palate: Biscuit, marzipan, banana, strawberry notes, eucalyptus, roses, woody, buttery oak, subtle pine, light, sweet. Finish: Light, smooth, gentle, lingering.
Silver Medal
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Comments or questions welcome, please e-mail to: editor@thefiftybest.com
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Add a comment or suggestion to this list.
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Mon. March 4, 2013 7:09 PM - by: Eric
I like the Barolito from Puerto Rico, but I've not seen it at home. Of course, I live with state liquor stores so that's not too surprising.
Fri. January 25, 2013 11:55 PM - by: Joe
You guys have obviously not had the 7 year old Havana Club or the 15 year old Barbancourt, both of which are better than the HC Anejo or the 8 year old Barbancourt. As a matter of fact, the 7 year old Havana Club makes the 5 year old taste quite pedestrian, suitable only for mojitos, much like going back to Palm or Leffe Belgian beer after having something like a Rochefort 10.
Wed. December 26, 2012 11:16 AM - by: Charles Lundy
The Barbancourt listed is the mid-level of the brand. The Estate Reserve is the best produced in limited edition every year.