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Appleton Estate 21 Year Limited Edition
Distiller Score 95
The nose yields a heavy dose of oak that blends effortlessly with caramel, melted brown sugar, vanilla and Appleton's signature flamed orange note. There is virtually no astringency. The rum enters with moderate heat, and as the oaky base coats the tongue, an undercurrent of sweetness comes in to round things out. Another sip and the oak is still persistent, but now there is also milk chocolate, coffee, cinnamon, and allspice. Woven throughout the spices and treats from the bakery is a hint of citrus, dark cherries, and a bit of almond and walnut. The finish is long and complex with oaky tannins lingering as the fruity esters fade.
Reviewed by Josh Miller
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Ron Abuelo Centuria
Distiller Score 94
The immensely appealing nose combines vanilla and molasses with chocolate and coffee. The palate, rich with syrupy cane, avoids any cloying aspects by virtue of its lively, berry-like fruit, mulled cider, baked pear and tobacco notes--many of which continue into a lingering, smoldering finish.
Reviewed by Ron Bechtol
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Bacardí Reserva Limitada Rum
Distiller Score 88
A light nose, with hints of brown sugar, vanilla, oak and fruit leathers. In the mouth, an initial note of brown sugar and vanilla gives way to hints of dried apricot and plum before a big cinnamon rush. After the cinnamon recedes, nice oak and caramel-flan flavors emerge, before ending with an exotic floral note reminiscent of tropical orchids and a gentle brewed-coffee flavor.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
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Facundo Exquisito Rum
Distiller Score 94
On the nose, there are aromas of brown sugar, vanilla, dried plum and cherry. A hint of oak is found as well. On the palate, the sherry notes are immediately evident, with vanilla and brown sugar being complemented by the dried plum and raisin notes of the sherry. A bit of baking spice emerges, with white pepper, and fresh sugarcane detectable as well. At the finish, more oak appears, before gentle brown sugar and dried plum notes appear, giving way to a gentle Mexican vanilla finish. If you are looking for a great sipping rum, look no further. Bacardi has done an excellent job with Facundo Exquisito and this isn't one to miss.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
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Foursquare Nobiliary
Distiller Score 96
Nobiliary is brown in color with very plummy, raisiny aromas, as well as some hints of warm vanilla and brown sugar. The influence of the bourbon casks is noticeable. Flavorwise, there's quite a lot of baking spice up front—think clove, cinnamon and cardamom. That's followed by rich stone fruit, grilled pineapple and coconut, bananas foster and a hint of pecan. The finish is mildly tingly and lingers for quite some time. This delightfully rich and complex rum gets better with each sip!
Reviewed by Anna Archibald
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English Harbour Reserve 10 Year Rum
Distiller Score 92
The nose offers tropical fruit, coconut and allspice as well as molasses and caramelized sugar. On the viscous palate, there are notes of vanilla, baked apple, citrus, coffee and oak. The warm and spicy finish offers caramel, cinnamon, honey and charred oak with hints of tobacco notes.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang
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El Dorado Single Still Enmore
Distiller Score 90
Excellent sipper for the rum connoisseur. Rich Seville oranges dipped in dark chocolate greet the nose while the palate is quite different. Dark demerara sugar notes, fleshy coconut, baking spices (nutmeg, cloves) with a silky mouthfeel. The finish is spicy but also dry. Enjoy neat or with a couple of ice cubes. This is a keeper for rum collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Reviewed by Johanne McInnis
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Don Pancho Origenes 18 Year
Distiller Score 87
The aromas begin with clean honey, excellently extracted tea, soft/ripe tree fruit and interesting spices playing in the background. The palate entry is sweet and supple starting at vanilla, building to brown spice, caramel, and roasted nuts. The finish is long, rich and layered. The sumptuous depth and inviting complexly make this a lovely rum.
Reviewed by Forrest Cokely
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Flor de Caña Centenario 25 Rum
Distiller Score 81
This rum shows a deep amber color in the glass. The aroma has a backbone of menthol that carries notes of vanilla and toasted wood. There's a fairly strong black cherry cough syrup flavor underneath the considerable and typical oak influenced flavors. The finish is long, but not as complex as one would hope, considering the price.
Reviewed by Paul Belbusti
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Foursquare Sagacity
Distiller Score 90
Look for ripe banana, vanilla, deliciously stewed berries and oak on the nose of this amber-brown hued rum. On the palate it's quite zesty, with prominent, balanced notes of grapefruit rind, ginger and oak tannins. There's a long-lasting, tingly finish.
Reviewed by Anna Archibald
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Grenada Rum 13 Year (Berry Bros & Rudd)
Distiller Score 83
The mostly muted nose shows a bit of light caramel, but not much else. This sip has the zesty candied orange peel note, along with some light roast coffee. The finish is a little hot but not too much to throw things out of whack. There's some lingering clove, subtle pineapple, and light cream present as well.
Reviewed by Paul Belbusti
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Holmes Cay South Africa Mhoba 2017
Distiller Score 86
Waxy clover honey and orange blossom lead on the nose, along with fresh sugarcane and butterscotch. The palate is rich, with dark brown sugar, saltwater taffy, and peanut brittle, as well as bananas flambe and buttery graham cracker pie crust. The finish is big and warming, with oak tannins and spice, black pepper, molasses, and overripe tropical fruits.
Reviewed by Jake Emen