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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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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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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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Mount Gay Rum Sugar Cane Brandy
Distiller Score 92
The "brandy" has a shiny copper color in the glass. The aroma is filled with fruit notes and spices nipping around the edges. The spice notes manifest as cinnamon and nutmeg on the palate interweaving with banana, pear, and apricot fruit notes before fading into a short, dry, smoky finish.
Reviewed by Paul Senft
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Brugal XV Rum
Distiller Score 86
The nose offers citrus, including orange peel, along with a honey sweetness, a rich molasses, and hints of chocolate and coffee. There’s some spice and oak on the palate but it’s not overpowering. It's rounded, also offering sherry notes, red fruits, and an overall richness. Finish is warming, but as intended, quick and doesn't linger long. Drink neat or mix fresh tropical juice for a refreshing beverage.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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St. Petersburg Distillery Oak and Palm Coconut Rum
Distiller Score 85
A coconut rum that doesn't taste like it was made in a lab! Sweet vanilla and icing sugar flavors mix with true coconut. It tastes almost like drinking a good coconut cake, with a slight floral note. Finishes clean and subtle.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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The Real McCoy 3 Year Rum
Distiller Score 91
The perfectly clear rum bursts forth from the glass with aromas of fresh and candied fruit including banana, mango and raspberry. Beyond the fruit is a bit of vanilla and floral notes. The rum enters with a pleasant mix of the aforementioned sweet fruit backed by vanilla and cream, and balanced by a good amount of spice in the form of black pepper and nutmeg, with a hint of cardamom. Subsequent sips yield more Chantilly cream and even more fruit including a bit of strawberry. The finish is quite long and despite a bit of saccharin on the finish, is delightful. A fine white rum suitable for sipping over ice.
Reviewed by Josh Miller
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Plantation Isle of Fiji
Distiller Score 85
The cognac comes through on the nose most notably rather than the taste. The rum feels warming on the palate with a molasses flavor coupled with tropical fruits and baking spices. There's a coppery tinge to the taste. The rum is medium sweet and has an average length for the finish. Would use in a punch or in cocktails
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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El Dorado 8 Year Rum
Distiller Score 89
Quite a few things are happening in this rum like apple juice, cigar ash, orange peel, and a moderate dose of funk. There's a slight metallic note as well. The rum is of average body and has some burnt sugar, and barrel spices along with what you found on the nose. If you're just getting into rum, this is a good one to start with to get an understanding of what this funk or "hogo" you see cropping up when people talk about rum. It's a good value as well.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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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 Xaymaca Special Dry
Distiller Score 88
The nose on Plantation Xaymaca Special Dry greets you with an intense mix of both sweet and savory--almost animal--aroma. There's a coppery backnote along with toasted sugar, coconut, and orange peel. The amber rum feels medium full on your palate and shows a bit more fruit like banana along with a gentle smoke note in addition to aroma notes. There is some funk to be found but isn't quite a George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic level rum. The price is right for cocktails, but don't be afraid to just add a few (good) ice cubes to your glass and call it a day. Rum heads should run to their local liquor stores to snag a bottle for their home bars. And if you're new to the category and think all rums taste sweet, think again.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Bayou White Rum
Distiller Score 85
Fresh pepper and butterscotch waft from the glass, with more buttery, butterscotchness hitting the palate upon first sip. Banana, pear and papaya coat the mouth with a hint of pine and vanilla. Finishes slightly hot as many white rums do, but with a sweet freshness to balance it out.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster