Kirk and Sweeney 23 Year Rum

Hints of caramel

Not noticeably better than the 18, and the 18 is only marginally better than the 12.

The platonic ideal of what I imagine good aged rum to be. It’s on the drier side of things. Pretty woody and spicy, like you’d expect after 23 years. And the woodiness plays well against the rum itself, which is pretty rounded and mellow (not Jamaican). If I were to criticize it, I would mainly want it to be higher proof. As it is, it comes across a little flat and one-note, which is a shame for such an old product. But nothing about it tastes bad. Snag a bottle if you can find it.

Excellent to outstanding neat. Not so good with ice or water.

Little cherry and vanilla on the nose. Lots of phenols which are pretty medicinal. Some banana and caramel flavor with a good bit of allspice and clove. Then a really hot, chemical finish which is fairly unpleasant and unexpected for this proof. Slightly disappointed but still enjoying it