Tastes

So, this is probably too "complex" of a rum for my diminishing taste buds and nose because I can't pull a distinctive aroma nor distinguishing flavor from this rum. Bugger! Uhm... I think I'm getting a vanilla/honey-ish aroma. Flavor...very mild and neutral honey first and later in the after-taste. What's in-between is...?...rum 😆 It tastes like a good, mild rum. It goes very well as a mixer. Rating based on neat sipping.

All spice, cloves, hint of cinnamon, but all with sweetness in their aroma. Reminds me of Christmas. If Hallmark made a candle in this aroma, I'd buy it. The missus says it reminds her of toasted coconut. Flavors...hmm. Vanilla and cinnamon. Has that alcohol warmth across one's mouth. I'm getting the slightest hint of gingerbread in the tail end of the retro-hale. Tastes great in mixed drinks but such a spendy treat to dilute. Well, except maybe an eggnog type of drink, perhaps? This would be my choice for December holiday festivities. Ratings based on neat sipping.

Light caramel and funk in the aroma. I get orange zest and cinnamon in the retro-hale. Flavors are more difficult to nail down, but i do find caramel is hidden in the finish. Swishing it around my mouth i get a taste similar to cinnamon flavored chewing gum. Very mild on the sweet side so a great way to introduce someone to an amazing rum who normally doesn't like sweeter spirits. Absolutely 5⭐️(five stars) when used as a mixer. A basic rum-n-coke or -- heaven forbid! -- mixed with sugar-free Pepsi is utterly fantastic. I realize this is blasphemous for some, but it's hard being a Type II diabetic. Ratings based on neat sipping.

This is a tough one to nail down flavors and smells. The aroma...uhm...hogo, plum...ah, caramel! The first sip, wow! It's powerful. Retro-hale has a fruity cinnamon smell. Orange peel, cinnamon, and some of that funk. While quite a nice sipper (best after the first glass) it works GREAT as a mixer. This is a rum that can do both and well. Rating based on neat sipping.

Aroma of oak and definitely bourbon, all coated with molasses. Neat sipping flavors are bourbon, oak, and what i can only describe as brown sugary alcohol that coats the sides of my tongue. Retro-hale is dark cola/soft drink. While just okay for sipping, this works really well for mixing, particularly the simple but ubiquitous "rum-n-coke". It's not overly sweet and provides the rum flavor (and kick!) without being overwhelming. Rating based on neat sipping.

Raw, dark honey aroma from the bottle. Honey and some chocolate are the predominant flavors here. Odd & interesting combo but I think this is one of those that you like or do not like. Ratings based on neat sipping.

This has a wonderfully light pineapple and molasses/brown sugar aroma. Compared to the original Stiggens' Fancy Pineapple this is better. While I don't get a smokey flavor it is lighter in overall flavor. There's a gentle sweetness about it and, of course, pineapple flavor. I get an almost Vics Vapor-Rub smell & sensation on the retro-hale but more pleasant. Odd, i know. But i love this rum! Tastings based on neat sipping.

Do you like Hershey's Chocolate Syrup? I do! And this smells just like it. The flavor is a perfect blend between a mild rum and Hershey chocolate without being overly sweet. The color is a deep amber-brown. It's a very smooth drink; a couple drops of water make it silky-silky smooth. Sipping or mixed, you cannot go wrong with this one. Interestingly, this is priced $5USD more than the coconut version. Ratings based on neat sipping.