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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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Flor De Caña Centenario 18 Rum
Distiller Score 88
There is quite the juxtaposition of flavors and aromas here. The nose captures everything from dried flowers to cherry jam, cinnamon and ink. The flavors are a bit more typical with notes of cane sugar, tobacco and molasses on finish. Medium bodied with a hint of funk and sweetness.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Pacific Rum
Distiller Score 89
A very sweet nose starts things off, with brown sugar, vanilla and chocolate with a hint of salted caramel and freshly baked coconut bars. On the palate, the coconut takes on more of a confectionary note, think Almond Joy candy bars with chocolate and a bit of almond as well. The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, and hints of vanilla, orange marmalade and a bit of pepper also appear.
Reviewed by Distiller Staff
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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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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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Mezan Panama Rum 2006
Distiller Score 87
This dark and concentrated rum has a soft, sugary sweetness that dials up on the palate into the burnt caramel realm. Roasted toffee and coffee flavors are tempered by sage and rosemary. Further sips reveal tangy apricot, papaya, and tart orange mixing with the sweet and savory notes.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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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 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
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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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Mezan Panama Rum 1999
Distiller Score 95
The first few sips of the Panama 1999 give just a hint of wood--nowhere near as much as you might expect after spending a decade or more in a barrel. As it opens up in the glass, it transforms into something spectacular, honey and peaches dancing on the tongue. The body is light with no added sugar, letting you sip this rum repeatedly without getting sugar fatigue. The finish is relatively short and returns to just a hint of wood. Enjoy this rum neat -- you won’t be disappointed!
Reviewed by Matt Pietrek
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Foursquare Port Cask Finish
Distiller Score 92
This is an exceptionally well-balanced rum with a tart, tangy grape flavor from the port finishing that heads off its sweetness at just the right point. Maple, brown sugar and rich, roasted coffee settle in with luscious orchard and tropical fruits, vanilla and some gentle sweet spice. A tinge of herbal funk cuts in playfully throughout.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Appleton Estate Rare Blend 12 Year Rum
Distiller Score 92
This is a very aromatic rum; a bit of funky molasses, orange peel, caramelized bananas, and loads of brown sugar fill your senses. There's a slightly burnt wood aroma found as well, though this is all pleasurable. Fairly full on your palate, the rum is actually not as sweet as the aroma leads you to believe. The funk is still there joined with barrel spices and coffee with cream. The finish is slightly bitter and burnt.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno