Tastes

Nose: Smooth caramel and vanilla. And alcohol which isn't so groovy. Taste: A quick sip is plain sweetness. Longer gets alcohol heat with sweetness, minor vanilla & brown sugar. I'm seeing no significant difference compared to the 12-y.o. version. Works much better as a mixer. Rating is based on neat sipping.

This seems to be a polarizing spirit as folks seem to either like it or hate it. Aroma: Dark cola, vanilla, & molasses. Flavors: Sugarcane, molasses, spice. Has a syrupy sweetness. While not bad as a sipper (in my opinion) it goes best as a mixer. Rating is based on neat sipping.

Nose: Vanilla and caramel. Flavor: Spicy orange peel...hint of caramel. Final: Just OK as a sipper, better as a mixer. Warms the mouth & throat nicely. Rating is based on neat sipping.

Nose (from glass): Hogo and banana, with some alcohol, reminds me of tequila. Not what I'd like to smell. Interestingly, the aroma from the bottle has a more pleasant sugarcane smell. Flavor: A quick sip is sugarcane, hogo, and a slow building peppery finish. A lingering mouth sip tastes like the above-mentioned nose along with a nice oiliness on the tongue and pepperiness that builds and stays. Final: Makes for a good mixer but a poor sipper. Rating is based on neat sipping.

Aroma is lightly sweet with oak, bourbon, vanilla, and molasses. Has the mild burn that comes from higher alcohol content. Flavor is carmely-bourbon but bit heavy in either direction. Interestingly enough I didn't think it tasted good on the rocks. Huh. I think it goes well as a mixer instead of a sipper. Rating is based on neat sipping.

Light candied fruit aroma. Strong alcohol burn destroys any enjoyment for this as a sipper! I can't really get a good flavor profile...sweetened rubbing alcohol? Does way better as a mixer with floral sweetness. I'd only use it for mixing but at this price point it's not worth it at all. One can readily get two or three bottles of something far more palatable -- for sipping and/or mixing -- for the cost of this single bottle. Rating is based on neat sipping.

The aroma has a light sweetness and that definte Jamaican funk but it's not too strong. This is not a sipper...at least for me! Definitely not a good starter rum for beginners. The alcohol burn is just too much and concentrates on the tip of the tongue and sides for any enjoyment. However, it works quite well as a mixer, particularly if you want that Jamaican flavor. The best I can get is dark fruits and oak. Rating is based on neat sipping.

Aroma is sweetness: brown sugar & caramel. Flavors are hard to pin down. Sweet, yes, "spiced rum" is what I think of, like a standard Bacardi. I probably need them side-by-side to see if there was a difference. Okay as a sipper but does much better in a drink. Rating is based on neat sipping.

Light maple syrup & brown sugar aroma. Creamy, faint, overripe banana flavor. Has a pleasant oiliness on the tongue and oakiness after-taste. Does make a really good mixer! Rating is based on neat sipping.

Nothing strong but caramel, vanilla, & oak cask aroma. A lot of spiciness on the tongue. A bit of orange and bourbon notes. I kinda get that fruit cake vibe from it. Tastes best as a mixer but is OK just by itself. Rating is based on neat sipping.