Aged Rum 2013
 

Best Aged Rum 2013

The Fifty Best Aged Rum Tasting 2013

 

The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting of 24 premium aged rums with 18 pre-qualified judges. Strict tasting rules were applied. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Each of the aged rums were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at slightly above room temperature. Only ice water and neutral unsalted chips and crackers were available to cleanse the palate. The judges tasted through 3 flights of 7 rums each and 1 flight of three rums.

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 were awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no Bronze medals awarded in this tasting.

The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The countries of origin are identified for each brand.

 

AGED RUM TASTING RESULTS:

 

Zaya 12 yr.

DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS:

Zaya 12 yr.
(Trinidad & Tobago)

Nose: Toffee, caramel, vanilla, honey, cake icing, milk chocolate bar, brownie, fudge, maple syrup, citrus.
Palate: Butter, caramel, toffee, cocoa, milk chocolate, creamy, honeycomb, raisin, fig, pineapple, coconut, walnuts, coffee, spicy, balanced.
Finish: Nutmeg, clove, hazelnut, clean, fresh, smooth.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Cubaney Centenario 25
(Dominican Republic)

Nose: Subtle, floral, grain.
Palate: Pineapple, dried apple, banana, creamy, vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, maple, ginger, spicy, oak, distinctive.
Finish: Treacle, hazelnut, marzipan, decadent, brilliant.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Cubaney Centenario 25


Presidente 23


Presidente 23
(Dominican Republic)

Nose:Banana, apricot, dark fruit, butterscotch, brown sugar, caramelized sugar, Port barrel, toast, light cinnamon.
Palate: Black strap molasses, brown sugar, butterscotch, toffee, caramel, vanilla, banana, dark fruit, marzipan, nutmeg, hazelnut, cinnamon, perfect.
Finish: Molasses, spicy, excellent.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal




Opthimus 25
(Dominican Republic)

Nose: Toffee, molasses, cane, brown sugar, caramel, honey, vanilla, plum, nutmeg.
Palate: Toffee, maple, brown sugar, honey, vanilla, cocoa, butter, caramel, milk chocolate, fudge, raisins, cinnamon, coffee.
Finish: Vanilla cream, buttery, builds to candied finish, smooth.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Opthimus 25


Ron Millonario 15 yr Solera



Ron Millonario 15 yr Solera
(Peru)

Nose: Tropical fruits, banana, caramel, molasses, cola, hay.
Palate: Banana, pear, coconut, raisin, dark fruit, cherry coke, honey, black strap molasses, caramel, cocoa, maple.
Finish: Buttery, sherry, smooth, mellow.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal




Ron Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva
(Venezuela)

Nose: Soft fruit, pineapple, caramel, vanilla, butterscotch, toffee, cinnamon, toast, subtle vegetal notes, smoky.
Palate: Molasses, sugar cane, honey, salted caramel, vanilla, banana, spicy plum, marzipan, hazelnut, peanut butter, cola, coffee upfront, balanced, ultra-smooth, delicious.
Finish: Cola, honey, brown sugar, nutty, smooth, gentle, fantastic.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Ron Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva


Debonaire 21 yr.




Debonaire 21 yr.
(Panama)

Nose: Subtle caramel, hints of vanilla, toffee notes, toasted sugar, honey, faint cinnamon, citrus.
Palate: Orange, banana, dried fruit, coconut, cane sugar, brown sugar, toffee, vanilla, caramel, nutmeg, spice, nice balance of flavors.
Finish: Coffee, spicy, cinnamon, toasty notes.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS:

Dos Maderas PX 5+5
(Blend of Barbados & Guyana, bottled in Spain)

Nose: Banana, butterscotch, molasses, Port barrel, dry Oloroso, sherry.
Palate: Molasses, dark butterscotch, honeycomb, maple syrup, chocolate, figs, dates, raisin, cinnamon, walnut, cashew, nutmeg, sour apple, sherry.
Finish: Molasses, stroope honey, prunes.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Dos Maderas PX 5+5


Bacardi 8 yr.



Bacardi 8 yr.
(Puerto Rico)

Nose: Caramel, honey, cocoa, cashew, hazelnut, coffee, cinnamon, tea leaves.
Palate: Orange marmalade, orange, plum, tropical fruit, hints of mango & pineapple, butterscotch, caramel, honey, brown sugar, toast, bread, spicy, oaky.
Finish: Marzipan, sweet, smooth.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Don Q Gran Añejo
(Puerto Rico)

Nose: Blossoms, fruity, green apple, apricot, coconut, vanilla, sugar cane, brown sugar, spicy, peanut oil.
Palate: Brown sugar, molasses, caramel, toffee, vanilla, honey, honeycomb, buttered popcorn, banana, spice, sherry barrel, spicy upfront.
Finish: Sherry cask, creamy coconut, herbal, smooth, great, elegant.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Don Q  Gran Añejo


John Watling's Buena Vista 5 yr.



John Watling's Buena Vista 5 yr.
(Bahamas)

Nose: Dried fruit, raisin, prune, banana, sweet tea, cherry coke, cola, burnt caramel, molasses, mint, smoky.
Palate: Mango, cherry, plum, prune, dates, coffee, hickory, herbal, spice, allspice, hint of smoke, well-balanced.
Finish: Cola, cinnamon, nutmeg, eucalyptus.

Gold Medal
Gold medal





Don Reyes 2 yr.
(Dominican Republic)

Nose: Cotton candy, cream soda, cane, sweet ice cream cone, vanilla, toffee, coconut, fruity, floral.
Palate: Sugar cane, strong vanilla, caramel ice cream, white chocolate, creamy, coconut, biscuit, light oak.
Finish: Coconut, sweet, mellow, smooth.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Don Reyes 2 yr.


Debonaire 15 yr.



Debonaire 15 yr.
(Panama)

Nose: Green leaves, vanilla, subtle honey & brown sugar, sandalwood.
Palate: Molasses, brown sugar, toffee, vanilla, orange, banana, coconut flakes, dried apricot, cola, maple, butter pecan ice cream, honey tea, licorice.
Finish: Vanilla, cinnamon, eucalyptus, tea leaves, smooth.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Debonaire 8 yr.
(Panama)

Nose: Faint sherry notes, subtle vanilla, oak.
Palate: Pineapple, dried fruit, vanilla, caramel, cocoa, grassy, spicy citrus, clove, vague oak, balanced.
Finish: Almond, pine resin, clean, smooth, outstanding.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Debonaire 8 yr.


Pyrat XO Reserve



Pyrat XO Reserve
(Various Caribbean Islands)

Nose: Banana, orange, candied orange, citrus, cherry, vanilla, toffee.
Palate: Floral, elderflower, orange peel, orange, pineapple, mango, butter, cinnamon, spice.
Finish: Elderflower, orange, honey, minty, spice.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Pusser’s 15 y.o.
(Tortola, B.V.I.)

Nose: Tropical fruit, dark fruit, orange peel, citrus, vanilla.
Palate: Ripe banana, dark fruit, raisin, chocolate covered cherries, sherry, walnuts, almond, nutmeg, spearmint, spicy, woodsy, flavorful, wow.
Finish: Black cherry, spicy, well-balanced, superb.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



Pusser’s 15 y.o.


Cockspur 12



Cockspur 12
(Bsrbados)

Nose: Honey, honeycomb, caramel, treacle, brown sugar, sugar cane, banana peel, toast, coffee bean, herbal, grassy, sherry barrel.
Palate: Vanilla, cherry, cola, maple, sherry & bourbon barrel, brandy, roasted coffee beans, oaky, hint of robust spice.
Finish: Apricot, citrus, coconut, vanilla, nutty, spicy, smooth.

Gold Medal
Gold medal




SILVER MEDAL WINNERS:

English Harbour 5 year old
(Antigua)

Nose: Green tea, citrus, vanilla bean, nutmeg, delicate.
Palate: Banana, butterscotch, honey, vanilla, custard, faint caramel, dark chocolate, roasted caramel, grassy, late spice.
Finish: Vanilla, woody, spicy, light.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



English Harbour 5 year old


Pusser’s 3+ yrs



Pusser’s 3+ yrs
(Tortola, B.V.I.)

Nose: Tropical fruit, dark fruit, raisin, dates, banana, coconut, butterscotch, honey, vanilla.
Palate: Coconut, apricot, apple, orange peel, marmalade, mango chutney, honey, caramel, cinnamon, intense spice, eucalyptus, unique, elegant.
Finish: Soft, spicy, woodsy notes, smooth.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Bermudez Añejo
(Dominican Republic)

Nose: Subtle caramel, light vanilla, pine notes, vague clove.
Palate: Papaya, prune, cherry, rum raisin, vanilla, butter, walnut, cashew, vegetal, grassy, spicy.
Finish: Spice, pepper, smooth.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Bermudez Añejo


Ron de Jeremy



Ron de Jeremy
(Panama)

Nose: Toffee, caramel, vanilla, honey, cake icing, milk chocolate bar, brownie, fudge, maple syrup, citrus.
Palate: Butter, caramel, toffee, cocoa, milk chocolate, creamy, syrup, honeycomb, raisin, fig, pineapple, coconut, walnuts, coffee, spicy, balanced.
Finish: Nutmeg, clove, hazelnut, clean, fresh, smooth.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Debonaire 5 yr.
(Panama)

Nose: Faint vanilla, sugar, light.
Palate: Creamy vanilla, crème brûlée, custard, white chocolate, coconut, marmalade, dried fruit, almond, anise.
Finish: Toast, smooth, mellow.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Debonaire 5 yr.


Dos Maderas 5 + 3



Dos Maderas 5 + 3
(Blend of Barbados & Guyana, bottled in Spain)

Nose: Chocolate, raisin, dried fruits, coconut, ginger root, toasted bread, hay, leather.
Palate: Apricot, apples, toffee, burnt caramel, chocolate, coconut, buttered toast, tobacco, spice, woody, subtle smoke.
Finish: Creamy, toasted barrel, cinnamon, spicy, licorice.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



English Harbour 10 year old
(Antigua)

Nose: Citrus, fruity, caramel, brown sugar, faint vanilla, honey, cinnamon, spice, minty.
Palate: Coconut, crème brûlée, caramel, toffee, cinnamon, eucalyptus, hot pepper, oaky, smooth.
Finish: Brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, spicy.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



English Harbour 10 year old

 

 

 

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