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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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Captain Morgan Coconut Rum
Distiller Score 81
The rum is fairly straight forward. There is sugar. There is coconut. The rum is sweet and rich on your palate and delivers what is on the label. No fuss, no muss. Could have a little more depth to it, but it's not like you're going to chug this as is. Throw it in your blender as it was intended.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Captain Morgan Private Stock Rum
Distiller Score 76
Sugary butterscotch and vanilla are coated with cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. There's a hint of coconut and other sweet tropical fruits, and some suggestion of roasted coffee. This finishes smoother and cleaner than most of the other expressions, but you would still have to like your rum on the super sweet side.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Captain Morgan 100 Proof Spiced Rum
Distiller Score 80
Considering the much higher proof, this version tastes cleaner and more smooth than the original! It's still a tad too sweet - with weighty notes of vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, banana and tropical-fruit-flavored candy. Sweet cinnamon, nutmeg and clove add to the mix. There's a surprisingly pleasant roasted toffee flavor tying it together and finishes cleaner than expected.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Captain Morgan Grapefruit Rum
Distiller Score 72
The surprise here is the understated and pleasant the grapefruit aroma. It doesn't come off as cloying or artificial at all. This is pretty clearly ruby red grapefruit. The palate is sweet, yes. But again, the grapefruit is not aggressive. In fact, the sweetness of the rum could use a little more citrus acidity for balance, but honestly, this is going to end up in a sugary cocktail, so balance is probably not a major concern.
Reviewed by Paul Belbusti
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BLY Silver Rum
Distiller Score 88
A fresh sweetness and slight astringency on the nose, the aroma of BLY Silver Rum makes an impression, then dissipates quickly. On the palate, it has a buttery texture and hints at cajeta-topped vanilla ice cream, with an undercurrent of banana sweetness and earthy funk. It leads to a spicy, slightly prickly finish.
Reviewed by Anna Archibald
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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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Malibu Original Rum
Distiller Score 75
This product somehow manages to taste entirely of coconut without actually tasting of coconut at all. It's an idea of a coconut, really. As if one is sipping a picture of one - a rendering of someone's idea of coconut. Same goes for its "rumness," which establishes a base, but only has a sweet dimension. Its sweet and chemical flavors aside, it's easy to see why it's so popular with people who just want something sweet and low proof to sip.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Cruzan Coconut Rum
Distiller Score 78
The rum has a natural coconut aroma that is slightly sweet. Sipping the rum provides a creamy mouth feel that leaves a coating behind on the teeth and tongue. The artificial coconut flavor is consistent with a hint of vanilla and sugary-sweet aftertaste.
Reviewed by Paul Senft
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Cruzan Black Strap Rum
Distiller Score 79
Immediately upon pouring, the deep, near-black rum fills the tasting room with aromas of pancake syrup, molasses, vanilla, and hints of fennel. On nosing, the spirit makes its youth known with a hefty dose of astringency that runs counter to the bakery invitation given moments earlier. The rum enters with some astringency and spice, but is immediately attenuated by the sweet molasses. Again, there is ample pancake syrup, along with vanilla and caramel. Subsequent sips yield a bit of coffee, then citrus and spice, namely lemon zest and cardamom. Despite being full of robust flavors, the bitter finish is thin and short. Certainly not meant for sipping, Cruzan Black Strap is a must-have for tropical bartenders, and can be used to great effect in updated classics such as the Jungle Bird or Corn 'n Oil.
Reviewed by Josh Miller
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Green Island Superior Light Rum
Distiller Score 86
Upon first smell, the rum is fairly neutral save for some marshmallow-like sweetness and maybe a touch of mineral aromas. On the palate, a soft plush rum fills your mouth and the flavor is similar to cherry ice cream. As you continue to taste, the cherries become more in focus, but not in an over-the-top manufactured "cherry" flavor way. The finish is fairly clean and not complicated, but you can see how this could heighten a cocktail such as a daiquiri even if you might be inclined to pour it into a cola.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Captain Morgan Tattoo Spiced Rum
Distiller Score 70
The rum is treacly sweet. There's a lot of berry and spice flavor, but not the kinds of berries and spices that can actually be picked in nature. A medicinal element akin to Jägermeister is evident. For those setting sail with this Captain, it seems he brought a doctor on board, a certain physician who goes by the name of "Pepper."
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster