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Santa Teresa Añejo Gran Reserva Rum
Distiller Score 88
Moderately sweet and overall very easy on the palate this rum simply put over-delivers. The nose presents Santa Teresa's tell-tale orange zest aromas along with peach, licorice root and a hint of vanilla. These flavors continue on the palate with Demerara sugar, honeysuckle and five-spice powder. This soft and easy rum just might take over your home bar!
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Plantation Original Dark Rum
Distiller Score 89
Light smoke on the nose, with banana, orange peel and allspice. The secondary aging in cognac barrels imparts a touch of hogo, or “funk” that’s noticeable on the rich and velvety palate, along with dried fruit, vanilla and clove. The finish lingers with more hints of smoke, candied fruit and holiday spices.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang
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Old Sam Demerara Rum
Distiller Score 87
In the glass, the Old Sam carries a dark reddish-brown hue. The nose is bold--brown sugar and raisins, classic DDL (Demerara Distillers Limited). It enters the palate with bombast, rich, oily, moderately sweet, and slightly smoky. The finish is long and slightly bitter (possibly from a large dose of coloring). Even at only 80 proof, this rum can stand up for itself in strongly-flavored cocktails. This rum is the spiritual siblings of other DDL rums such as Lemon Hart 80 proof and Hamilton Demerara Rum.
Reviewed by Matt Pietrek
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Land Legs Rum
Distiller Score 90
There's a rich complexity in the nose of this rum: confectioners sugar, white pepper, lemon peel, and more. But the hint of lightly smoky pineapple is what makes the aroma so inviting. The palate is no less complex, with more sugar, smoke, and spicy heat. The finish is long with a welcome, balancing heat and an earthy minerality. This is a very fine American light rum that would make an unforgettable daiquiri, but stands on its own neat.
Reviewed by Paul Belbusti
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Plantation Barbados 5 Year Rum
Distiller Score 91
Upfront, the nose immediately offers butterscotch, as well as caramel and toffee. There are additional tropical notes of pineapple, banana and coconut. The palate is reminiscent of crème brûlée - sweet, creamy with notes of caramelized sugar, vanilla and other baking spices. More tropical fruit on the medium finish, with hints of orange peel and oak.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang
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Plantation 3 Stars White Rum
Distiller Score 87
The nose introduces the three “stars” with ripe banana, tropical fruit, brown sugar and subtle coffee notes. The palate continues with more fruit, vanilla, orange zest, and a touch of hogo with a bit of viscosity. The floral finish offers more vanilla, sugarcane and spice notes.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang
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Goslings Black Seal Rum
Distiller Score 87
Goslings Black Seal Rum offers a sweet nose of allspice, caramel, dried fruit and molasses. The palate is rich and creamy, opening with more caramel and molasses, then segueing to notes of butterscotch, vanilla and cinnamon. The warm and spicy finish lingers with caramelized brown sugar, baked fruit and herbs.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang
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Doorly's Macaw White Rum
Distiller Score 85
This rum has a lovely fruity bouquet, with a hint of vanilla and oak in the aroma. On the palate the rum has a strike of astringent oak, a solid hit of coconut, a touch of vanilla and citrus with a bit of heat at the finish.
Reviewed by Paul Senft
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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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Skipper Demerara Rum
Distiller Score 85
With a strong aroma emitting from the glass, you will find dark caramel, roasted coffee, and a fair amount of rum funk. Metallic aromas are found as well. The rum is sweet initially and creamy, but as you swallow turns bitter and spicy. There's a little orange peel and the rum has a nice brightness that makes it pop instead of being too lethargic and rich. Try this rum in a winter drink like the Tom & Jerry.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Havana Club Añejo Reserva Rum
Distiller Score 85
The nose is overtly fruity, showing bitter orange and lemon custard above rum-soaked raisins and dates. The rum enters with a noticeable smoothness that borders on watery, but there is enough pepper and cinnamon to keep things interesting. Subsequent sips provide more spice along with ample vanilla and a bit of toffee, coffee, and a bit of tobacco. There is an implied sweetness, but the finish is extremely dry with a woody note that manages to coat the palate after several sips. Balanced and approachable, Havana Club Añejo Reserva is an excellent value that could easily find a home in most bars.
Reviewed by Josh Miller
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J. Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum
Distiller Score 89
Wray & Nephew displays rich aromas of overripe bananas, molasses, walnuts, and white cake, with a notable signature funk that rum aficionados refer to as “hogo”.Considering that Wray is 126 proof, it is not advisable to drink this straight, though many are not deterred. After adding a dash of water, bold flavors of clove, caramelized bananas, candied walnuts, grilled pineapple, and hogo dominate your palate and transport you to the islands of Jamaica. The finish is warm and lingering with lots of rich overripe fruit, (and perhaps, if you’ve been, memories of long and wild nights on holiday to the islands).
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin