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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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Kirk and Sweeney 18 Year Rum
Distiller Score 89
This exemplifies well-aged rum. The nose shows brown sugar, vanilla, baking chocolate, coffee and integrated baking spice. The full body mouthfeel carries those flavors in deliberate segments adding 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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Foursquare 2004
Distiller Score 96
The aroma of the rum delivers notes of alcohol and dark vanilla, fresh-cut apples, pears, charred oak, and toasted nuts. The first sip of the rum delivers a punch of ethanol in a swirl of vanilla, and oak tannins. This conditions the tongue of the imbiber to enjoy the complexity of the rum. Additional sips reveal notes of cocoa, more fresh-cut apples with a hint of pears, leather, raisins, dried apricots, pepper and dark toffee. As the rum begins to fade notes of toasted walnuts and tobacco leaf linger and balance in a nice long finish.
Reviewed by Paul Senft
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Privateer The Queen's Share Rum
Distiller Score 91
The liquid in the glass is a medium gold hue. The nose is wood forward and dry, bringing to mind a custard-filled doughnut. Once the initial ethanol heat passes, the flavors are challenging to pull apart as there’s a lot going on here. Caramel and dried fruits dominate, with a pleasingly rich, viscous mouthfeel. Since this is aged in new American oak, it’s vanilla forward, similar to a bourbon. This is a rum you’ll want to add a wee bit of water to and take your time to ponder what you’re tasting. Massachusetts-based Privateer may be small in scale, but they’re proof that in the right hands, New England rum can go head-to-head with renowned Caribbean producers when it comes to big, bold rums.
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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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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Ron Cartavio XO Rum
Distiller Score 91
Sweet but not cloying aromas of butterscotch and Bananas Foster, all dusted with traces of baking spice, characterize the seductive nose. Raisins and dried apricots join the parade on the palate, along with additional brown sugar, hazelnuts, vanilla bean and a hint of mocha. Some spicy wood emerges on the gratifyingly long finish.
Reviewed by Ron Bechtol
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Bristol Port Morant Demerara Rum 1999
Distiller Score 94
If you crave deep, full of character, heavily-bodied rum, this is for you – an absolute monster, despite being “only” 92 proof. The nose hunts you down well before lifting your glass, bringing to mind leather, tobacco, and oil, in the best possible way. Those flavors continue on the palate. Although in no way sweet, its time in port barrels lends a pleasing roundness without verging into “sherry bomb” territory. There’s a touch of burn, and the finish lasts seemingly forever. Doing anything with this rum beyond savoring it neat would be a crime against the spirits world.
Reviewed by Matt Pietrek
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Bristol Classic Rum Vale Royal Wedderburn Jamaica 2002
Distiller Score 90
The Vale Royal is surprisingly light in color for a nine-year aged rum. The nose is classic Jamaican – overripe banana and funky esters. The flavor explodes on your tongue – apples and funk, but less banana than the nose suggests. At 86 proof, it’s surprisingly approachable, with a flavor intensity only slightly less than the 114 proof Smith & Cross. The finish ends with a trace of oiliness. Those who seek out ultra-funky Jamaican rums will want this for their collection.
Reviewed by Matt Pietrek
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St. Lucia Distillers 1931 (3rd Edition)
Distiller Score 93
In the glass, the rum displays a dark chestnut hue. The aroma races ahead of the glass as you nose it, a wonderful symphony of pot-still smells. Oily, without veering into outboard motor territory. Linger a bit longer and you’ll pick up orange peel and clove. It explodes on your tongue, first with the heavier, oily notes that segue into a burst of sweet fruit. The finish is robust and long lasting with eucalyptus and suggestions of mint. The mouthfeel suggests a moderate amount of added sugar. A thoroughly enjoyable rum for sipping.
Reviewed by Matt Pietrek
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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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Don Q Gran Añejo Rum
Distiller Score 84
The aroma of this rum is distinctly reminiscent of lemon olive oil cake as well as some vanilla crème brûlée. The mouthfeel is lean and light and so are the flavors: light brown sugar, mild tobacco, pink and white peppercorns. It finishes dry and invites another sip.
Reviewed by Paul Belbusti