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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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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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Don Q Cristal Rum
Distiller Score 79
There's a fair amount of alcohol nose, along with some smoke and mild baking spices. On the palate, more heat, more smoke and a touch of milk and white chocolate. Overall, this is mostly a neutral spirit with a light body, which is the intended style. The finish is dry and short with a pleasant, faint ginger spiciness.
Reviewed by Paul Belbusti
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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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Bacardí Reserva Ocho 8 Year
Distiller Score 83
The nose is quite subtle. After a bit of coaxing you’ll be able to perceive notes of pear, candy-apple, grass, tobacco and allspice. The palate is very sweet which is consistent with their house style. Surprisingly it was also fairly earthy with notes of old leather, cotton candy, tobacco, dried fruit, bitter spices and maple syrup.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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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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Don Q Gold Rum
Distiller Score 79
Pale, straw color, in the glass, this rum has aromas of black pepper, fresh pineapple, and a fair amount of alcohol. The palate is more expressive than you'd expect for a rum at this price. Light brown sugar, mild barrel spices, citrus, and even some secondary tropical fruit flavors show up. The medium length finish is a little hot, but this rum is a fine mixer for your next cocktail.
Reviewed by Paul Belbusti
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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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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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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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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