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Denizen Merchant's Reserve 8 Year Rum
Distiller Score 90
At the risk of not being considered a “crowd pleaser”, Merchant's Reserve pulls no punches. Pronounced notes of petrol, iodine, cinnamon, pear, and a hint of grass and fresh herbs. The taste is equally earthy and intense with flavors like leather, tobacco, sweet potato, and smoke. There is nothing boring or mediocre about this rum, it is a must have for top quality cocktails.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Thomas Tew Single Barrel Rum
Distiller Score 88
There are significant notes of earthy coffee and deep molasses on the nose. The initial palate is so smooth, it's almost cool, until a blast of spicy, steeped cinnamon hits and takes over for the long, complex finish. There's lots of well integrated barrel spice to harmonize with the savory, earthy flavors.
Reviewed by Paul Belbusti
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Sea Wynde Rum
Distiller Score 80
This product's strong aroma is flush with notes of clove, pepper, and dark treacle with a mineral undertone. The first sip reveals the heat of the alcohol with the subtle aromas swirled in. Additional sips reveal notes of molasses, tea, roasted walnut, fennel, and allspice. A light bitterness is revealed in the mineral-filled finish.
Reviewed by Paul Senft
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Tommy Bahama Golden Sun Rum
Distiller Score 80
The aroma provide notes of caramel, oak, roasted nuts, and spices. Sipping the rum reveals spicy notes of cinnamon, vanilla, baking spices up front that transitions into notes of dark coffee, leather, with a bite of bitter oak and minerals in the finish.
Reviewed by Paul Senft
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Lost Spirits Cuban-Inspired 151 Proof Rum
Distiller Score 83
The flavors and aromatics are pretty blunt and there is a pervasive burnt note that runs throughout this spirit. The aromas ranges from: cola, rubber tire, struck match, sawdust, strawberry jam, and foliage. The palate brings similar notes, but also espresso, Maraschino cherries, mint, clove, vanilla bean, fresh mint and lots of burnt sugar. Through all of this, there is a fairly interesting spirits albeit wearing a very intense mask.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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The Rum Society No. 40
Distiller Score 90
In the bottle, the rum is perfectly clear. The nose is strong with fruit, starting with overripe banana similar to a Jamaican, which segues into crisp pear notes. The initial flavor is organic, earthy, and floral, with no evidence of added sweeteners. The exceedingly long finish is very dry and reminiscent of the first moments of sucking on a dry popsicle stick. While there’s no wood aging, this rum is distilled in a wooden pot-still. In no way an introductory gateway rum, it will find favor with hardcore rummies eager to experience how rum tasted a century ago, straight off the still – well, with a little dilution.
Reviewed by Matt Pietrek
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Ron Centenario 20 Fundación
Distiller Score 85
The aroma has a strong caramel aroma with notes of oak, vanilla, and black pepper along with a hint of cinnamon. The first sip reveals the caramel, vanilla, and cinnamon found in the aroma along with rich cocoa and toffee. Additional sips reveal toasted almonds and soft mineral notes as the rum settles in a light sweet finish.
Reviewed by Paul Senft
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Plantation O.F.T.D. Overproof Rum
Distiller Score 93
In the glass, the rum presents a lush mahogany hue. Nosing it carefully (it’s 138 proof, after all) brings forth brown sugar and tropical fruit. The demerara rum from Guyana, with its smoky, molasses notes (similar to Lemon Hart 151) jumps out on the first sip. It’s soon joined by the fruity, ripe banana and pineapple tones associated with Jamaican rums. The finish lingers for quite some time, becoming dry and woody with a touch of chocolate. There’s no hint of added sweetening--a signature note in most Plantation expressions. Obviously the O.F.T.D. is intended as the powerhouse core of tropical libations, rather than something you’d pour in a snifter. Expect to see this rum pop up in Tiki bars all over the world.
Reviewed by Matt Pietrek
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Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum (Discontinued)
Distiller Score 78
Aromas of allspice, mace, marzipan, toasted almonds, lime, and lemon zest are all notable in the bouquet with delicate elements of smoky wood and subtle vanilla bean. With one sip, big spice, round wood and cooked fruit reveal themselves with flavors of cinnamon, anise, molasses, caramel, vanilla, orange, pineapple, and a good note of smoky charred wood. The finish lingers with red plum, oaky vanilla and memories of a warm, boozy banana fosters.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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Kirk and Sweeney 12 Year Rum
Distiller Score 82
The nose is heavy with vanilla-extract followed by caramel, toffee, and butterscotch. After the hard-candy aromas come dried fruits like plum, fig, and a hint of banana. On the palate, there is notable dusty oak, followed by a hint of orange peel with a medium-long finish of baking spices like cinnamon, cardamom pod, and a wee bit of clove, but it’s the vanilla that lingers the longest.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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Avuá Amburana Cachaça
Distiller Score 92
The unique nose offers baking spices like cardamom, anise and allspice, with subtle vegetal notes and a light, distinctive woodiness that is noticeably different than oak. Nutmeg and hay are front and center on the herbaceous palate, with crème brûlée and citrus peel on the back end. The finish is warm and earthy, with more anise, spice and wood notes.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang
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Rhum J.M Agricole Blanc White Rum 40%
Distiller Score 88
J.M.'s Blanc Agricole opens with vegetal (green bell pepper), cane-like aromas accented with black pepper. A sweet grassiness coupled to light, green chile heat announces the palate which is bolstered by a salty minerality. The finish is consistent and lingering. A perfect mixer, J.M. is especially refreshing with a splash of lively mineral water.
Reviewed by Ron Bechtol