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Chairman's Reserve Spiced Rum
Distiller Score 85
In the glass, the Chairman’s Reserve Spiced is a medium red amber. The nose is a mild mix of cinnamon, coconut and vanilla. Sipping initially reveals a quick initial burst of vanilla that rapidly fades to drier cinnamon and clove in the mid-palate. The finish teases, with intermingling hints of the coconut and orange peel. At 80 proof, there’s no burn to speak of. It’s hard to take just one sip of this rum – as soon it fades you’re anticipating the next sip. Spiced rums have a bad rap as overwhelmingly sweet vanilla bombs. The Chairman’s Reserve Spiced, from the well-regarded St. Lucia Distillers, is notably more refined.
Reviewed by Matt Pietrek
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Foursquare Spiced Rum
Distiller Score 84
Though you will find some spiced notes like nutmeg and cinnamon, these aromas are quite subdued compared to most spiced rums on the market. There's a little green herbal note found as well. On the palate, the flavor is that of flat vanilla cola and some cinnamon red hot candies with a few cherries thrown in for good measure. The rum finishes more sweet than bitter, but only just. Were you to taste this blind, you might miss the fact that it is spiced which is good or bad depending on your inclinations towards rums with nuance.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Siesta Key Spiced
Distiller Score 88
Vanilla forms the base of the aroma, followed up by ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, coconut, honey, and allspice. The flavors of the rum are a swirl of honey, vanilla, black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and clove.
Reviewed by Paul Senft
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Copper Run Spiced Rum
Distiller Score 81
Cinnamon and nutmeg show up predominantly on the nose. The palate is plenty spicy, with lots of vanilla, clove, and birch flavors. The rum is not cloying at all and has a respectably dry finish. Pick your favorite artisanal cola and add a couple ounces of this spiced rum for a grown up version of the classic cocktail.
Reviewed by Paul Belbusti
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Bacardí Oakheart Spiced Rum
Distiller Score 84
The influence of charred American white oak is obvious throughout the tasting experience and lays a solid foundation for the other flavors and spices. The nose is robust showing creamy caramel, toasted oak, spices and hints of dried, dark fruits. The flavors follow the aromas in a lithe sweetness that is held in check by oak-driven spices, peppery sapidity, maple, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey and vanilla afloat in clean rum. The finish fades with spice lingering. This is a nice spiced rum that works well for any fan of spiced rum.
Reviewed by Forrest Cokely
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Baron Samedi Spiced Rum
Distiller Score 82
The rum delivers a cinnamon, cocoa, and vanilla-forward aroma. You may catch other aromas of nutmeg, clove, and cardamon nipping around the edges. The first sip delivers a spicy ethanol punch in a swirl of vanilla and cinnamon flavor. As these favors subside the earthy notes of the smoky vetiver come into play along with notes of clove and nutmeg. As the rum begins to fade unsweetened cocoa and black pepper weave into the profile in a lingering finish.
Reviewed by Paul Senft
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Siesta Key Toasted Coconut
Distiller Score 90
The aroma of the rum is that of freshly-cut coconut cream pie. As this fades, slight honey-vanilla and spice notes linger. The flavor of the rum is dominated by the rich toasted coconut notes. Vanilla, baking spices, and honey augment the finish.
Reviewed by Paul Senft
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Bayou Spiced Rum
Distiller Score 87
Not much spice emanates from the glass, though there is an inviting aroma of butterscotch and root beer. The spices enter the picture on the palate, though, with a subtle blend of baking spice, sassafras, birch, pine cone and more savory flavors such as bayleaf, thyme and rosemary. Though this rum is intended as a mixer, the overall effect is elegant enough that it could be sipped neat or with just a splash of tonic or cola.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Black Magic Spiced Rum
Distiller Score 82
The aromas of cinnamon, vanilla, lightly toasted coconut, kola, and mint dance with the alcohol vapors that tickle the nose. Sipping the rum, vanilla and caramel notes combine to create a smoky toffee flavor. The kola note from the aroma highlights the spice notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove rounded out by kick of wintergreen. The sweetness of the rum manifests and lingers in a surprisingly long finish leaving a light residue of the tongue and teeth.
Reviewed by Paul Senft
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St. Petersburg Distillery Oak and Palm Spiced Rum
Distiller Score 87
Here is a rare example of a spiced rum made with finesse. The base rum itself is of a fine enough quality that the spices enhance its natural flavors rather than mask production flaws. It's not too sweet, with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, allspice and ginger. Vanilla, honey and floral tea notes round it out. Great for sipping and for cocktails.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
Distiller Score 69
The very strong aromas of baking spices are punctuated by roasted caramel and oak. The palate is all over the place with heat, black pepper, cinnamon, and black cherry. These flavors dart across the tongue, never quite intersecting or jiving with one another. The finish is strangely bitter and tannic.
Reviewed by Paul Belbusti
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Wicked Dolphin Spiced Rum
Distiller Score 89
Cinnamon, clove and cocoa all emerge on the nose--and these aromas seem real and naturally integrated. There's more clove on the palate, accented by hints of orange, dried apricot and toasty coconut. Add vanilla to this and intimations of Mexican chocolate with its admixture of cinnamon and almond can be conjured.
Reviewed by Ron Bechtol