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Best Aged Rum
Ahh, rum. It’s 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. (Thanks, Ed.)
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:
At Riverpark in NYC, 21 journalists, bartenders and aficionados tasted 26 premium aged rums. The products were served "blindly", without distractions of brand names. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Strict tasting rules were applied. Each of the rums were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and immediately served at room temperature. Ice water and plain hard rolls were available to cleanse the palate. Food was served during a break.
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. The rums were ranked according to the total scores received from the judges. Ties are listed in alphabetical order. Double-Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded based on a set range of point scores.
The tasting notes that follow the rankings are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with duplicate commentary eliminated. Prices quoted are for 750ml sizes. Prices may vary by state and do not include sales tax.
TASTING RESULTS:
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1. Vizcaya VXOP -
(Dominican Republic) $40
Nose: Floral, toffee, caramel, vanilla, molasses, dried fruit, nutmeg. Palate: Creamy, buttery, vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, spice, chocolate, biscuit, sherry, woody, light oak, rich, sweet, robust, lovely, classy, flavorful, delicious, amazing, round, well-balanced, smooth. Finish: Burnt sugar, caramel, sweet, clean, lingering.
Double Gold Medal
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2. Two-Way Tie - Ron Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva - (Venezuela) $30
Nose: Burnt sugar, light caramel, ginger, cinnamon, almond, sugar cane, chocolate, spearmint candy. Palate: Vanilla, cream, butterscotch, caramel, toffee, treacle, banana, apple, malty, clove, floral, nutty, spice, sweet, smooth, well-balanced, nice, awesome. Finish: Smooth, oaky, coffee/toffee, botanical, great, lingering.
Double Gold Medal
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Tortuga 12 yr. -
(Cayman Islands)
Nose: Cane sugar, butterscotch, cocoa, coconut, nutmeg, caramel, vanilla, toffee, maple syrup. Palate: Vanilla, molasses, toffee, honey, sweet, buttery, creamy, butterscotch, cantaloupe, banana, hazelnut, cinnamon, ginger, clove, pepper, spice, woody, medium bodied, mellow, well-balanced. Finish: Sweet sherry, brown sugar, spicy, velvety, smooth, short.
Double Gold Medal
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3. Zaya 12 yr. -
(Trinidad & Tobago) $42
Nose: Caramel, vanilla, buttery, almond, marzipan, nutmeg, spice, black tea. Palate: Butterscotch, cream, hot butter, rich caramel, vanilla, honey, maple syrup, toffee, cocoa, cinnamon, coconut, hazelnut, almond, nutty, licorice, smooth, round, robust, well-balanced, excellent. Finish: Soft, light, sweet, smooth.
Double Gold Medal
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4. Three-Way Tie - Dos Maderas PX 5+5 -
(Guyana/Barbados) $46
Nose: Fresh, sweet, faint oak, blossoms, lightly floral, fruity, butterscotch, molasses, cocoa, vanilla. Palate: Honey, butterscotch, caramel, banana, apple, biscuit, nutmeg, cinnamon, hazelnut, toasted almond, vanilla, oak, smooth, soft, sweet, very smooth, even, well-balanced, excellent, inviting. Finish: Creamy, slightly spicy, gentle, big.
Gold Medal
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Zacapa Solera Grand Reserve 23 yr. -
(Guatemala) $49
Nose: Brown sugar, coffee, toast, lime, floral, oak, faint nutmeg. Palate: Vanilla, caramel, honey, creamy, fruity, pear, sweet malt, buttery cinnamon, nutmeg, tobacco, cola essence, sherry, oak, woody, menthol, round, balanced, very smooth, lovely, excellent. Finish: Smooth, round, even roasted, lingering.
Gold Medal
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Zacapa XO Centenario Solera -
(Guatemala) $95
Nose: Cinnamon, honey, caramel, toffee, light toast, apple, green tea leaves, mint. Palate: Creamy, vanilla, fudge, toffee, molasses, sherry, sugar cane, sweet, dried fruit, plum, citrus, coffee, nutmeg, floral, ginger, spicy, smoky, robust, very smooth, excellent, yum. Finish: Slight spice, molasses, pepper.
Gold Medal
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5. Tortuga 5 yr. -
(Cayman Islands)
Nose: Vanilla, caramel, buttery, cane sugar, demerara, molasses, nutty, floral, rich. Palate: Toffee, butterscotch, honey, buttery, vanilla, strawberry, dates, coffee, mocha, spice, creamy, smooth, sweet, well-balanced. Light bodied. Finish: Oak, soft, smooth.
Gold Medal
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6. Old Monk 7 yr. -
(India) $20
Nose: Buttery, floral, vanilla, maple, butterscotch, sweet, toffee, oak, nutty. Palate: Butterscotch, caramel, toffee, creamy vanilla, molasses, dates, mango, sugar cane, sherry, toasted walnuts, almonds, nutmeg, floral, cloves, allspice, tobacco, woody, pine, oak notes, pepper spice, smooth, different, nice, mellow. Finish: Floral, caramel, slightly sweet, soft, a touch of spice, long.
Gold Medal
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7. Two-Way Tie - Botran Reserva -
(Guatemala) $26
Nose: Vanilla, nutmeg, caramel, orange peel, spice, grassy, floral. Palate: Sweet spice, honey, caramel, molasses, butterscotch, creamy, vanilla, apricot, pineapple, raisins, marzipan, maple, nutty, slight woody character, medium bodied, soft, very smooth, well-balanced, rounded. Finish: Light, buttery, floral, peppery, hints of leather, lingers nicely.
Gold Medal
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Gosling’s Old Rum -
(Bermuda) $60
Nose: Caramel, fudge, cola, chocolate, toffee, cream, dried fruit, cinnamon, nutty, rich. Palate: Honey, vanilla, caramel, sugar cane, molasses, fudge, toffee, butterscotch, cola, apple, banana, lemon, sultana, marmalade, hazelnut, cinnamon, clove, nutty, oak, sherry, woody, leather, pepper, spicy, smooth, well-balanced. Finish: Dates, nutty, long.
Gold Medal
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8. Botran Solera 1893 -
(Guatemala) $45
Nose: Vanilla, maple, heavy cream, molasses, coffee, apricots, floral. Palate: Vanilla, sultana, dried fruit, hazelnut, anise, mint, cinnamon, cotton candy, not too sweet, spicy, woody, complex, smooth, balanced. Finish: Hot, toasty, soft, fading.
Gold Medal
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9. Plantation Grande Reserve 5 yr. -
(Barbados) $23
Nose: Buttery, butterscotch, caramel, toffee, apricot, toasty, nutty. Palate: Spicy vanilla, creamy, toffee, citrus, tropical fruit, mango, raisins, hay, sweet pepper, butternut, almond, ginger, cloves, spicy, floral, sweet, balanced. Finish: Caramel, gentle.
Gold Medal
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10. Ron Barceló Imperial -
(Dominican Republic) $30
Nose: Vanilla, nutmeg, maple, citrus elements, lightly spicy, aromatic. Palate: Creamy, vanilla, honey, caramel, sweet, treacle, toast, allspice, nutmeg, almond, pepper, coffee, tobacco, floral, grassy, woody, sherry, eucalyptus, well-balanced, robust, tasty, buttery smooth. Finish: Sharp, spicy, leather.
Gold Medal
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11. Three-Way Tie - Brugal 1888 Gran Reserva Familiar -
(Dominican Republic) $54
Nose: Floral, cut grass, marzipan, molasses, sugar cane. Palate: Buttery, nutmeg, cinnamon, bananas, coconut, sweet, honey, creamy, vanilla, hazelnut, nutty, cereal, cloves, licorice, eucalyptus, pepper, spicy, robust, very smooth. Finish: Peppery, woody.
Silver Medal
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Cockspur 12 yr. -
(Barbados) $34
Nose: Sweet, honey, molasses, lightly floral, nutmeg, citrus, pineapple, licorice, mint, toasty. Palate: Caramel, raisin, buttery, toast, treacle, citrus, orange notes, fruity, apricot, dates, fudge, hazelnut, almond, cane sugar, floral, minty, eucalyptus, leather, pepper, cloves, light, sweet, crisp, robust, well-balanced. Finish: Oak, vanilla, slightly spicy, late peppery bite.
Silver Medal
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Plantation Old Reserve 2000 -
(Jamaica) $36
Nose: Butterscotch, vanilla, caramel, honey, molasses, apples, honeydew, orange peel, lightly floral, nutmeg, clove. Palate: Caramel, butterscotch, bright citrus, marmalade, molasses, dates, ginger, pear, nutty, oak, woody, spicy, mint, medicinal, alcohol, full-bodied, intense, complex, balanced, round, mellow. Finish: Nutmeg, smooth.
Silver Medal
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12. Zafra 21 yr. -
(Panama) $49
Nose: Hazelnut, chocolate, pepper, bananas, guava, marmalade, a touch floral. Palate: Walnut, nutmeg, biscuit, butterscotch, honey, butter, creamy, caramel, white chocolate, fudge, toffee, almond, tropical fruit, toasted hazelnut, elderflower, grass, spicy, smoky, woody, fiery, robust, sharp, medicinal, authentic, well-balanced. Finish: Dry, smooth, strong, long.
Silver Medal
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13. Rhum Clément V.S.O.P. -
(Martinique) $40
Nose: Lightly fruity, apple, banana, cherry, floral, grassy. Palate: Toffee, butterscotch, honey, buttery, vanilla, strawberry, dates, coffee, mocha, spice, creamy, smooth, sweet, well-balanced. Finish: Oak, soft, smooth.
Silver Medal
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14. Prichard’s Private Stock -
(U.S.A.) $79
Nose: Aromatic, lightly floral, pear, apple, dried fruit, dates, treacle, maple, nuts. Palate: Fruity start, raisins, sultana, orange, citrus, vanilla, molasses, sherry, oaky, woody, smoky, pine, clove, peppery, spice, fiery, sharp, robust, well-balanced, smooth. Finish: Hot, harsh, strong, lingering.
Silver Medal
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15. Rhum Barbancourt Estate Reserve 15 yr. -
(Haiti) $42
Nose: Dried fruit, grassy, toffee, bright vanilla, elderflower, orange blossom, cinnamon, nutmeg. Palate: Dark muscovado, butterscotch, honey, treacle, vanilla, piney, ginger, pepper, eucalyptus, licorice, straw, oak, woody, medicinal, strong, complex. Finish: Salty, peppery, soft, creamy, smooth, lingering.
Silver Medal
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16. Two-Way Tie - Appleton Estate Reserve -
(Jamaica) $29
Nose: Vanilla, dried fruit, citrus, hazelnut, woodsy. Palate: Marmalade, caramel, treacle, fig, dates, coffee, sweet, spicy punch, clove, hints of oak, woody, leather, minty, smooth. Finish: Light, dry, buttery fade.
Silver Medal
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Plantation 73% Overproof -
(Trinidad & Tobago) $32
Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, vanilla, orange blossom, dried papaya, almond, hazelnut, tobacco. Palate: Light vanilla, toffee, treacle, butterscotch, cherry, orange, citrus. dried fruit, blitzkreig spiciness, salty, woody, grassy, pine, sour, medicinal, harsh, sharp, distinct. Finish: Smooth, strong, long.
Silver Medal
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17. Rhum J.M Vintage 1997 -
(Martinique) $95
Nose: Sweet, honey, tropical fruit, apricot, banana, vanilla, cereal, woody. Palate: Honey, caramel, butterscotch, maple, cane sugar, apple, banana, leather, woody, pepper, spicy, hot, harsh, mellow. Finish: Smooth, short.
Bronze Medal
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18. Rhum J.M V.S.O.P. -
(Martinique) $60
Nose: Vanilla, maple, butterscotch, coconut, sweet citrus, toast, licorice, tobacco, oaky, light, floral, ethereal. Palate: Minty, licorice, cereal, tapioca, nuts, sour fruit, apple, spice, pepper, sweet, sherry, some wood, musty, earthy, medicinal, robust. Finish: Sweet, citrusy, eucalyptus, smoky, strong, smooth.
Bronze Medal
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19. Dos Maderas 5+3 -
(Guyana/Barbados)
Nose: Briny, salty, cane sugar. Palate: Oak, nutty, leather, tea leaves, some fruit, toffee, licorice, pine, musty, oily, salty, briny, peat, medicinal, dry, harsh, smooth, light. Finish: Menthol, lingering.
Bronze Medal
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Add a comment or suggestion to this list.
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Mon. March 19, 2012 10:09 AM - by: Susan Fuller
The best dark rum I have come across thus far is Traveller's Liquors (Belize) 5 Barrel Rum. Let me know where I can send a bottle for your tasting pleasure.
Fri. February 17, 2012 9:09 AM - by: Alessandros
An impressive list of rums, but I do not see my favorite and one of the best in the world, the best in its kind, Santiago de Cuba 25 Years Extra Añejo, the best rum of Cuba along with Máximo of Havana Club.
Fri. February 17, 2012 7:32 AM - by: Carl Kanto
I like the idea of enlightening the world about the most romantic beverage in the universe. However it is indeed unfortunate that no one took the time and interest to have the best rums in the world analysed. El Dorado 15 years have been identified as THE BEST RUM IN THE WORLD on numerous occassions but it was not in this grouping. I would have loved to see the El Dorado 12 years and 15 years added to the gruoping. Would the comments be the same? I dare you.Looking at some of the rums analysed I would love to add in the El Dorado 5 years, 8 years and 21 years. I am 101% confident that the El Dorado brand would sweep all the top honours.
Thu. February 16, 2012 7:04 AM - by: Cyrille from Luxembourg
Hi all... I have the most of these rhums above mentioned. BUT my favorite is "Angostura 1824"...Try it out and leave a message, enjoy you drink ;)
Wed. February 15, 2012 1:19 AM - by: Lluis Casado
Ron Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva simple the Best!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fri. December 2, 2011 10:37 AM - by: Paul Senft
Dos Maderas is aged for five years in the Caribbean (Guyana or Barbados) in Oak barrels then shipped to Spain where it is aged the additional three or five years in Sherry casks.
Thu. December 1, 2011 1:48 PM - by: Edward Hamilton
Columbus brought sugar cane to Hispaniola in 1493.
Thu. December 1, 2011 11:50 AM - by: P.R.Lopez
My understanding is that Dos Maderas is a wrong aged and bottles in Spain and not in Guyana or Barbados.