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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 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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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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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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Kaniché XO Rum
Distiller Score 70
The nose is filled with aromas from a tropical bakery: coconut, cocoa, vanilla, caramel, toffee and coffee. There is also fruit including green mango and ripe papaya. The astringency that suggests a somewhat young distillate dissipates after a few minutes of breathing. The rum washes over the palate with more strong suggestions of tropical flavors--the coconut is almost overwhelming at this point. Combined with the ample cocoa and coffee, one might imagine some sort of island Tiramisu. Subsequent sips reveal some Sherry and loads of sugar and caramel. The brightness of the spirit appears to be the only component on the other side of the ledger, but further investigation reveals some cardamom and anise. The coconut finish is somewhat bitter and impossibly sweet (a hydrometer reading confirmed the inclusion of added sugar to the tune of 24 grams per liter). This one is more like a bottled cocktail than an aged rum.
Reviewed by Josh Miller
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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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Brinley Gold Shipwreck Coconut Rum
Distiller Score 80
The aroma has a strong natural coconut note with hints of alcohol around the edges. As you taste, the promised coconut from the aroma is delivered without the artificial chemical bite you find in other flavored rums. The coconut flavor lasts well into the finish and is never dominated by the alcohol.
Reviewed by Paul Senft
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Kōloa Kaua'i Coconut Rum
Distiller Score 80
The inviting nose is fresh and natural with sweet coconut. There's no artificial sunscreen scent here, thankfully. The heat on the palate is a welcome balancing feature that's missing from many of the lower proof, cordial-like flavored rum on the market. There's nothing cloying here just fresh coconut and white sugar on the palate. The finish is bittersweet with a bit of a white chocolate note.
Reviewed by Paul Belbusti
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Cardinal Spirits Tiki Rum
Distiller Score 84
The rum has a fruit-forward smell that shows hints of coconut, ripe banana, strawberry and vanilla, punctuated by a pop of ginger. Sipping the rum ignites the mouth in a swirl of raw alcohol, banana, and more coconut notes. Fruity cantaloupe and strawberry notes take over briefly before a pop of citrus dominates, transitioning to a pleasant sweet finish. This immature rum has proven to be a good ingredient in a range of fruit based cocktails.
Reviewed by Paul Senft
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Prichard's Sweet Georgia Belle Peach Mango Rum
Distiller Score 80
The aroma of the rum is fruit-forward with a swirl of peach and mango on a base of vanilla sweet rum. Sipping the rum reveals the peach fruit flavors dominating the profile while the mango nips and augments it around the edges. There is a lightly pleasant alcohol note married with the mango nipping around the tongue before taking over in a long sweet finish. This rum delivers the promised flavor profile with out the artificial/oily mouth feel that you have in other flavor rum products.
Reviewed by Paul Senft
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Siesta Key Beer Barrel Finish Spiced
Distiller Score 82
The aroma of the rum provides notes honey and spices along with hints of cherry. The rum delivers a swirl of honeyed cinnamon, nutmeg, hops, and ginger with a stronger dose of cherry on the palate. As the rum begins to fade the flavors combine creating a cherry pastry finish that lingers on the palate.
Reviewed by Paul Senft
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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