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Dictador 12 Year Solera System Rum
Distiller Score 83
Notes of vanilla, roasted nuts, coffee, dried dates, and baking spices present themselves along with wet potting soil. Heat persists on the palate but the flavor is fairly pleasant with notes of vanilla, under-ripe sugarcane, mixed nuts, cocoa nibs, and caramel before a strong, lingering metallic note on the finish.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Clément VSOP Rhum Agricole
Distiller Score 92
On the nose, Clément VSOP Rhum Agricole almost resembles a scotch whisky, with the charred oak aromas rising out of the glass mixed with vanilla, spices and floral notes. On the palate, the spirit develops an elegant herbal quality, with sage, thyme and rosemary mixing with brown sugar, roasted coffee and fruit flavors of red grapes, mango and banana. The finish is long, lingering and smooth, allowing all the components to meld together.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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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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Probitas White Blended Rum
Distiller Score 92
Probitas is not your average white rum. With just a hint of golden color, this rum has a lovely aroma of sugarcane and banana, with hints of the funk that's to come. It's surprisingly rich and creamy in texture with flavors that echo its aroma alongside those that give it depth. Think allspice, pineapple rich molasses, a variety of citrus and a bit of the fruitiness and zing of serrano peppers. While it would likely be delicious over ice with a squeeze of citrus, the higher proof of this rum will allow it to shine in classic rum cocktails, like Daiquiris and Mojitos.
Reviewed by Anna Archibald
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Leblon Cachaça
Distiller Score 86
The sweet and vegetal nose offers sugarcane, citrus peel, pineapple and hints of nutmeg and vanilla. The rich palate opens with more sugarcane, citrus and tropical fruit then develops into grass, spice and pepper notes. The warm finish lingers with more grass, dried fruit and hints of butterscotch and vanilla.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang
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La Favorite Rhum Agricole Blanc Coeur de Canne
Distiller Score 92
A beautiful, albeit esoteric spirit. The interplay of grass, rubber, roasted peach, apple and green banana aromas might not be for everyone, but for those who get it, it is absolutely enchanting. The palate is no less a rollercoaster with more industrial tones, raspberries, orange and iodine. It contains its 50% abv well for an unaged spirit and culminates in a clean, focused and sublime spirit.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Appleton Estate Reserve Blend
Distiller Score 88
The “Jamaica funk” is unmistakable. Ripe banana, orange peel, magic marker and welded metal round out the aromas. The palate is very similar with the addition of caramel, rubber and iodine. This rum is classic, soft and with a pleasant kick on the finish.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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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 Rum
Distiller Score 84
This is a very sugary-tasting rum that has a light mouthfeel. Almonds, golden apple and vanilla mix with a slightly herbal accent. Though most will reach for this one in shaken cocktails, it can work double duty in a stirred Old Fashioned. That is, of course, if you aren’t sipping it neat, which is highly encouraged.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Appleton Estate 8 Year Reserve Rum
Distiller Score 84
Tropical fruits including mangoes and overripe bananas lead on the nose, along with a bit of pot still funk and burnt caramel. The palate shows fiery cinnamon, leather, and tobacco, along with brown sugar and toffee, before getting drier towards the back with cedar wood. The finish is short, offering molasses and Jamaican allspice.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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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