Aged Rum
 

Best Aged Rum

The Fifty Best Aged Rum Tasting 2024

 

The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a "blind" tasting of 14 aged rums with ten members of our spirits judging panel. 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 served at slightly above room temperature. The judges wrote down their impressions of each product on score sheets. Double-Gold, Gold and Silver Medals are awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no Bronze Medals awarded for this tasting. Medals are provided based entirely on merit and only to products judged worthy of such award.

The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. The distilleries, states, countries of origin and alcohol proofs are identified for each brand. Clicking on the brands' names will link to their websites.


DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Gosling's Family Reserve Old Rum
(Bermuda)  80° prf
Blend of rums aged in once-used bourbon barrels.
Bottled once annually.

Nose: Wafts of chocolate, dark chocolate, cocoa, toffee, butterscotch, caramel, Coca Cola, brown sugar, dark honey, Christmas fruit cake, browned dried apples, cherry, floral, sandalwood, deep spice, candle, oak, char, Pedro Ximenez sherry, rich.

Palate: Caramel, toffee, chocolate, dark chocolate, baking chocolate, cocoa, mocha, vanilla, brown sugar, black cake, fruit cake, raisin, prune, cherry, stone fruit, corn, rye, grain, coffee bean, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, wood, oak, barrel, Pedro Ximenez sherry.

Finish: Caramel, chocolate, cocoa, nutty, spicy, sharp hit of oak, big, rich, good with cigars, smooth, awesome.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal

 



Gosling's Family Reserve Old Rum




Ron Cartavio Gran Solera 15 Años
(Peru)  80° prf
Aged 12 years in whiskey and bourbon oak barrels.

Nose: Caramel, chocolate covered caramel, butterscotch, toffee, semi-bitter chocolate, vanilla, cherry vanilla syup, sugar cookies, dates, touch of pineapple, nutty, oak, barrel wood, sherry barrel.

Palate: Caramel, toffee, dark chocolate, chocolate syrup, dark sugar, honey, Sugar Pops, cherry, prune, orange citrus, sweet brown bread, ginger, coffee, oak, corn spirits, viscous, round, well blended, layers of flavor, sip this, nice.

Finish: Toffee, cocoa, molasses, burnt sugar, dark honey, lemon drops, coffee, spicy, a nice continuation of the palate, consistent start to finish, interesting, soft, rich, pretty, elegant, great.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal

 



Ron Cartavio Gran Solera 15 Años




Ron Centenario 25 Aniversario Gran Reserva
(Costa Rica)  80° prf

Nose: Caramel, chocolate covered caramel, butterscotch, toffee, semi-bitter chocolate, vanilla, cherry vanilla syup, sugar cookies, dates, touch of pineapple, nutty, oak, barrel wood, sherry barrel.

Palate: Butterscotch, molasses, vanilla, caramel corn, raisins, dried plum, dried apricot, lemon/lime, coffee, nutmeg, cinnamon, warm spices, pepper, salt, maritime, a little char, oaky bitterness, soft, smooth, good flavor.

Finish: Semi-bitter chocolate, cocoa, Sugar Babies candy, Red Hots candy, spicy orange rind, spice, bark, complex texture, smooth, creamy, rich, great.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal

 



Ron Centenario 25 Aniversario Gran Reserva




Gosling's Black Seal Bermuda Black Rum
(Bermuda)  80° prf

Nose: Caramel, dark cocoa, warm molasses, burnt sugar, brown sugar, gummy bears, strawberry, cherry, citrus, fruity note, floral notes, perfume, cinnamon, spicy, tobacco, wet leather, toast, woody, nice, rich.

Palate: Butterscotch, salted caramel, bold molasses, dark sugar, baked pear, strawberry, herbaceous, horehound, cinnamon Red Hots, cinnamon Tic Tac, nutmeg, mulling spices, bacon, oak, wood, consistent throughout, rich.

Finish: Warm caramel, grapefruit, herbaceous, cinnamon, pepper, spicy, solid, super interesting, bright, crisp, robust, smooth, rich.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal

 



Gosling's Black Seal Bermuda Black Rum




GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Carúpano 21 Year Old
Reserva Privada Ron Añejo

(Venezuela)  80° prf

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, molasses, vanilla icing, honey, ripe banana, coconut meat & husk, bougainvillea, brown bread, grassy, oak, Pedro Ximenez sherry, surprisingly different.

Palate: Caramel, toffee, butterscotch,caramel popcorn, molasses, lemon, bitter zest of orange, tropical, spearmint, grass, freshly cut hay, coffee, light spice, oak, buttery mouthfeel, round consistency, bright.

Finish: Smooth caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, honey, mature pineapple, Bananas Foster, tropical, cherry, lemon rind, oak, nice balance, big, nice, smooth, creamy.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal

 



Carúpano 21 Year Old Reserva Privada Ron Añejo




Wanderum Captains Edition Rum Navy Strength
(Nordisk Brænderi, Denmark)  109° prf
Made from South American sugar cane molasses.
Barrel aged 18 month at sea.

Nose: Caramel, vanilla, honey, pineapple, banana, tropical fruit, strawberry, apricot, cherry, cola, licorice, balsam wood, oak, bourbon-like, nice.

Palate: Dark chocolate, honey, ginger, citrus, mint, warm spices, pepper, tannic, woody, oak, interesting, bright, wowz.

Finish: Minty, lime, bold spice, oaky, balanced, integrated, rich, creamy, pleasant.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal

 



Wanderum Captains Edition Rum Navy Strength




Ron Cartavio XO
(Peru)  80° prf

Nose: Caramel, toasted caramel, chocolate, dark chocolate, cocoa, vanilla, sweet rolls, cola, raisins, dried apples, currants, guava, tropical fruit, some citrus, warm spices, balsam, pine, oak, cocktail bitters, port, very pretty.

Palate: Caramel, toffee, hint of chocolate, caramelized brown sugar, cherry cola, vanilla, candy sweetness, honey, dried dark fruits, ripe guava, touch of citrus, peppermint, cinnamon, allspice, oak, sherry barrel, whiskey quality, creamy texture, round mouthfeel, well blended flavors, savory.

Finish: Butterscotch, molasses, honey, vanilla, mint ice cream, hint of chocolate, complex, rich, creamy, smooth, great.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal

 



Ron Cartavio XO




Bianca Supreme 5 Year Aged Rum
(Distilled in Venezuela. Blended & bottled by Dunamis Premium Spirits, FL)  80° prf

Nose: Caramel, burnt sugar, molasses, creamy, vanilla, Coca Cola, almond bark, rum candy, honey, honeysuckle, orange blossom, coffee, tea, tannins, pepper, whiskey barrel, dark wood, oak.

Palate: Caramel, toffee, butter, vanilla, custard, demerara sugar, brown sugar, honey, dried mango, pineapple, mint, tea, nutty, cinnamon, baking spices, nutmeg, white pepper, black pepper, roots, leather, woody, oak, ultra-smooth, rich, silky.

Finish: Caramel, vanilla, molasses, honey, dried cherry, banana, orange skin, eucalyptus, safron, sweet spice, peppery, black pepper, rich wood, oak, balanced, tasty.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal



Bianca Supreme 5 Year Aged Rum




Campesino Aged XIV Rum
(KY)  80° prf
Distilled from molasses & sugar cane.
Blend of 8 yo rum from Barbados & Dom. Republic
and 6 yo rum from Panama, finished in ex-bourbon barrels.

Nose: Cocoa, vanilla, brown sugar, apricot, peach, lemon, citrus, herbaceous, toasted almond, clove, cinnamon bark, wood, cedar.

Palate: Caramel, toffee, cocoa, molasses, brown sugar, honey, dates, raisin, dried stone fruit, cherry, apricot, orange zest, imint, anise, ginger, eucalyptus, cinnamon bark, root, earth, cereal, toasty, round mouthfeel.

Finish: Caramel, chocolate, molasses, honey, herbal, safron, juniper, root, bark, clean, smooth.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal



Campesino Aged XIV Rum




Otherland Society Wild Hare Dark Rum
(Glades Rum Co., TN)  80° prf
Blend of 8 Y.O. South American & 10 Y.O. Caribbean rums.
Aged in white oak whiskey casks.

Nose: Butterscotch, chocolate hints, butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, cotton candy, cherry, banana, pineapple, pomelo,bubble gum, coconut oil, oak, Malibu rum.

Palate: Butterscotch, toffee, Smarties candy, blueberry, lemony, spiced honey, warming spices, spicy, pepper, woody, nose matches the palate, creamy mouthfeel.

Finish: Butterscotch, buttery, spicy, smoky, balanced, big, mellows out, creamy, rich, elegant.


Gold Medal
   Gold medal



Otherland Society Wild Hare Dark Rum




SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Travellers 5 Barrel Reserve Aged Rum
(Belize)  80° prf

Nose: Caramel, S’mores, sugarcane, powdered sugar, vanilla, strawberry, banana, lemon peel, warm gingerbread, slight oak, firewood, wood fire, damp embers.

Palate: Butterscotch, rock sugar, dried fruits, orange zest, sweet spice, spicy, white pepper, jalapeño, grassy, pine needles, leather, smoky, oak, woody, crisp, soft, mellow, elegant.

Finish: Lemon custard, cane sugar, minty, spicy, hints of ginger, fresh cut pine branch, outdoorsy, very crisp, nice, smooth.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Travellers 5 Barrel Reserve Aged Rum




Cihuatán XO Aged Rum 16 Year Old
(El Salvador)  80° prf

Nose: Caramel, toffee, dark chocolate, cocoa, molasses, vanilla, cherry, dried cherry, prune, French apple cider, leather, unlit charcoal, heavy char, oak, woody, sea breeze, rich.

Palate: Caramel, molasses, honey, sweet vanilla, buttery, crème brûlée, orange cream, prune, pineapple, hint of mango, coffee, bacon, habanero, earthy, oak, whiskey-esque, creamy.

Finish: Plantain, coffee grinds, baking spices, spicy, slightly oaky, whiskey, complex, big, rich, drink neat with a cigar, easy drinking, classic.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Cihuatán XO Aged Rum 16 Year Old




Travellers 1 Barrel Refined Old Rum
(Belize)  70° prf

Nose: Butterscotch heaven, caramel, milk chocolate, vanilla, honey, wisps of fruit, ginger, almond extract, cashews, cinnamon, cedar.

Palate: Butterscotch, toffee notes, caramel, buttery, burnt butter, vanilla, banana, nut, pecan, nutmeg,toast, woody, oaky, creamy.

Finish: Caramel, lime, peppery, oaky, woody,complex, fun straight, nice, smooth, rich, creamy, pretty, elegant.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Travellers 1 Barrel Refined Old Rum




Wanderum Sherpa Edition Aged Rum
(Nordisk Brænderi, Denmark)  84° prf
Distilled from Indian sugar cane.

Nose: Caramel, sugarcane, vanilla, dried apricot, strawberry, red apple, orange hints, sweet grass, licorice, iodine, apothecary, maritime, peach wood, oak.

Palate: Dark chocolate, burnt sugar, vanilla, ripe banana, stone fruit, apple, citrus notes, dried hay, spicy, white pepper, peaty, smoky, cedar, oak, oak barrel, scotch notes, bourbon like, complex, nice, soft, creamy.

Finish: Lime, spicy, peppery, yeast, peaty, smoke, scotch-like, rich, drink neat.


Silver Medal
   Silver medal



Wanderum Sherpa Edition Aged Rum

 


 

A brief history of rum.

Rum is a sugar cane distilled spirit that is directly influenced by terroir, tradition and technique. Sugar cane can be grown anywhere in the world that hosts a tropical climate, but the Caribbean was usually considered as the predominant producer of rum.

Aged rums are rested in charred oak barrels that were previously used to age bourbon (from the U.S.) or scotch, cognac and sherry (from Europe). The distillation process, the barrels and warm climates produce rums that are darker color and richer in flavor, mellower and more aromatic than clear 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.

Rum in the Americas.
During the 18th century, the 159 distilleries in New England produced huge quantities of quality rum from molasses shipped to the colonies from the islands. More rum was made in Colonial America than in the Caribbean, and rum became the colonists' most popular spirit. Twelve million gallons of rum were consumed annually by the early colonists. After the Revolution, as the trading of molasses was restricted by the British, Americans switched to home-grown products such as corn and grain. The American whiskey industry was born, and whiskey replaced rum as the tipple of choice. Most New England distillers closed shop, but rum production continued in the Caribbean, shipping most of the product to Europe.

George Washington, the first President of the United States of America, knew the value of supplying the public with a little rum. When running for a seat in the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1758, Washington gave out 28 gallons of rum and 50 gallons of rum punch, as well as wine, beer and cider – to 391 voters. It cost his campaign £50 (about $8,000 today), but he won his seat.
The strangest rum fact: When Admiral Nelson died in the Battle of Tralfager, his body was preserved during the voyage home in a cask of rum before it was laid to rest.

Following World War II, rum became hip in pre-Castro Cuba where luxury hotel bars in Havana became notorious for their rum-based cocktails. Ernest Hemingway's favorite cocktail was made with white rum at the notorious Cuban bar El Floridita. Then in the late 50s early 60s there was the Tiki Bar craze, such as Trader Vic's with its exotic rum cocktail concoctions. Nowadays there are two types of rum drinkers: the ones looking to mix it and the growing group of ones looking to sip it.

 

 

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