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Dictador 20 Year Solera System Rum
Distiller Score 86
Although a little hot, there is a lovely density to the nose. It exudes fresh-cut sugarcane, roasted carrots, amontillado sherry and a mild and well-integrated note of chlorine. The palate feels a little lighter but not too much, with fresh apple, toffee, coffee and fruit cake.
Reviewed by Omari Wheat
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Plantation XO 20th Anniversary Rum
Distiller Score 93
On the nose, the Extra Old offers vanilla, butterscotch, banana, coconut, and oak. The rich and creamy palate starts with ample baking spices - nutmeg, cinnamon and brown sugar, followed by caramel, citrus, and oak. The long, buttery finish offers more spice and oak, as well as notes of orange peel, coffee, and chocolate.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang
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Ron Zacapa 23 Sistema Solera Rum
Distiller Score 92
Ron Zacapa 23 Sistema Solera Rum is enduringly one of the most pleasurable dark rums to sip neat. At first the sweet notes of roasted coffee, butterscotch, vanilla and dark chocolate appear, then some fresh citrus and apricot refresh the palate with green herbal accents, nutmeg and ginger. The long finish includes flavors of caramel, pipe tobacco, cedar and roasted nuts.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster
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Don Pancho Origenes 18 Year
Distiller Score 87
The aromas begin with clean honey, excellently extracted tea, soft/ripe tree fruit and interesting spices playing in the background. The palate entry is sweet and supple starting at vanilla, building to brown spice, caramel, and roasted nuts. The finish is long, rich and layered. The sumptuous depth and inviting complexly make this a lovely rum.
Reviewed by Forrest Cokely
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Brugal 1888 Rum
Distiller Score 85
The nose is heavily influenced from the oloroso sherry cask. Find a complex and highly aromatic bouquet with red fruits, coffee, tobacco, candied fruits, nutmeg and cloves. On the palate, find a spice-dominant profile with rich sherry notes, and a woody, oaky and earthy background. A long, warm finish follows. The palate is just a touch one note after the tantalizing, dynamic nose. Would be well enjoyed as a post-dinner sipper.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Foursquare Zinfandel Cask Blend
Distiller Score 89
The aroma delivers notes of creme brulee, roasted almonds, vanilla, black pepper, oak, and spices. The palate provides a myriad of flavors including brown sugar, toffee, dried fruits (apricots, raisins) and spices, particularly ginger, black pepper, and clove. Toasted coconut and strawberries are also present.
Reviewed by Paul Senft
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Kirk and Sweeney 23 Year Rum
Distiller Score 92
Fantastic aged rum, everything that you'd expect. The nose shows caramel, vanilla, baking spice, dried fruit, chocolate, honey and toffee weave into a harmonious balance. The elegant mouthfeel gracefully displays these flavors in a quiet reveal and build into richer tones of leather and baked fruit. The finish is a simple fade of the flavors with coffee notes that linger with the baking spice.
Reviewed by Forrest Cokely
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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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Ron Izalco 10 Year
Distiller Score 87
This rum shows lovely sweet caramel and orange blossom honey aromas. On the palate, it's bursting with spicy chili flavor that fades into sweet caramelized banana. The influence of ex-bourbon barrels lends to its richness. Look for sweet lemon on the finish.
Reviewed by Anna Archibald
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Panamá-Pacific Rum 23-Year
Distiller Score 96
On the nose, there are initial notes of vanilla, molasses and caramel, along with pineapple and oak. The velvety palate offers caramelized sugar, butterscotch, milk chocolate, molasses and tropical fruit, giving way to softer notes of oak, tobacco and subtle hogo. The finish is long and dry, offering vanilla, molasses, oak and orange zest. This is a sublime rum that’s well worth seeking out.
Reviewed by Daniel Djang
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Ten to One Five Origin Select
Distiller Score 94
Tropical esters load up a nose filled with papaya, overripe bananas, and flambeed bananas with an enticing funk undertone. On the palate, find salted caramel, grape jelly, cane juice, dark chocolate, lemon zest, pistachio shells, and white pepper. The finish is lengthy and layered, with swirls of butterscotch, molasses, tannic oak, and apples.
Reviewed by Jake Emen
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Ron Abuelo XV Napoleon Cognac Cask Finish
Distiller Score 89
Of the three finishes, this one has the sweetest, most honeyed textures up front. Baked apple with cinnamon, nutmeg and clove enter the mid-palate with more spiciness in the slightly woodsy finish that is somehow sweet without feeling too heavy and rich.
Reviewed by Amanda Schuster