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Papa's Pilar Sherry Finish Dark Rum
Distiller Score 92
This indulgent rum has intoxicating aromas of creme brûlée, burnt mandarin peel, and heady oak vanillins. The palate is equally explosive and fills the mouth with lush flavors of toffee and vanilla cake that are enlivened by a constant impression of citrus oil. The sweetness richness makes this the perfect compliment to a cigar or a contemplative digestive.
Reviewed by John Rankin
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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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Ron Abuelo 12 Años
Distiller Score 92
This is a rich and toasty rum, with butterscotch, vanilla, mango and banana flavors. It's a super smooth sipper that finishes with a creamy brown sugar sweetness and a hint of herbaceousness. It's delicious neat, doesn't even need an ice cube or water to open up, but it would also make an incredible dark and stirred cocktail such as an Old Fashioned.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Ron Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva Rum
Distiller Score 94
If someone says to you “I want a rum that really tastes like something,” this would be one of the ones to present. It’s bold, dark, fruity and full bodied. Sugary honey and butterscotch are accented with sage and thyme notes and a hint of citrus peel. Both sweet and hot spices give it a pleasing warmth that never ignites into a full burn, just creates a nice tingle. Simply one of the best bang for buck sipping rums available.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Beach House Spiced Rum
Distiller Score 88
More fruity than spicy, this rum is what it must be like to sip Carmen Miranda's hat, sort of an all-in-one bottled punch. Intense fruitiness cha-chas onto the palate with mango, apricot, peach, passion-fruit, papaya, banana and a note of bubblegum. There is a strong orange element - with both blood orange and navel orange added to the mix, as well as the zest. Hints of cinnamon and allspice come in only at the finish. For those who aren't typically fans of spiced rums, this might finally be one to make peace with. Best served on the rocks.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Canerock Jamaican Spiced Rum
Distiller Score 85
Vanilla beans, buttercream and sherry combine in an almost spiked eggnog fashion on the nose. The palate is sweet and rich, with coconut cream and shavings emerging strongest towards the back and finish. Closing notes also include the appearance of the rum backbone, with molasses, oak tannins, and spice. Altogether, almost drinks like a bottled tropical rum Old Fashioned.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Ron Diplomático Planas Rum
Distiller Score 91
There is an extremely slight golden tint to this rum, a hint at its years spent in barrel. The nose reveals the unmistakable aroma of oily lemon rind and a bit of heat, thanks to its slightly higher proof. It has some nice texture to it, with flavor notes of slightly sweet coconut and citrus, along with a touch of rich espresso. Very pleasant all around.
Reviewed by Anna Archibald
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Papa's Pilar Marquesas Blend Rum
Distiller Score 90
On the nose, this richly hued rum has aromas of wood chips, sweet orange and a twinge of spearmint. It has lovely flavors of maple, vanilla, cocoa and candied orange peel. This would make a fantastic Old Fashioned sweetened with a touch of maple syrup, and it's also a great sip on its own.
Reviewed by Anna Archibald
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Backwards Distilling Company Sword Swallower Rum
Distiller Score 89
It's fun to sip something that tastes so very tropical that's made in the heart of Wyoming. Banana, mango, pineapple, papaya and vanilla take on some acidity with a little lemon. A pleasant twang of funky herbal notes like sage and mint cut through the fruitiness, and it finishes clean and sugary with just a touch of smoke.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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El Dorado 15 Year Rum
Distiller Score 94
This is a smooth, velvety and complex rum that's prime for sipping. Dark roast coffee, milk chocolate, vanilla and caramel are set off by citrus peel and a hint of tobacco. There's a good dose of delicious rummy herbal funk to round it off, ending with a sweet, brown sugar finish.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Pink Pigeon Vanilla Spiced Rum
Distiller Score 92
This rum is high on the sweet scale with heaps of vanilla extract, marshmallows, and cookie dough. Rich and oily on your palate, the flavors are the same as what you find on the nose. The finish ends ever so slightly spicy so as not to make the rum completely unctuous. You're going to want to mix this one to cut the sweet, preferably with some citrus.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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El Dorado 12 Year Rum
Distiller Score 88
The nose is redolent of caramel and molasses. Tasting it reveals a fairly sweet rum with chocolate and port wine notes battling it out, making the El Dorado 12 a very popular “gateway rum” for introducing people to “sipping rum.” The mouthfeel is thick and lush, mainly from sugar added post-distillation. It finishes with a bit of menthol that fades into cocoa. The El Dorado 12 is a greater whole than the sum of its three component rums, a testament to the master blender.
Reviewed by Matt Pietrek