Ron Zacapa 23 Sistema Solera Rum

Nose: An initial waft of wood that is followed by intense honeyed raisin and caramel/brown sugar aromas. A zephyr of warm spice (primarily cinnamon) carrying notes of sherry and leather. Deeper nosing reveals a pineapple/citrus presence, and then wood is found again, deep down, but not as an oaky aroma - something lighter and more fragrant, like cedar or sandalwood. Palate: The arrival is a sweetly floral wave like honeysuckle nectar, which then transmutes into a deeper honeyed apricot and raisin liqueur. Silken, velvety, and seductive. As this luscious arrival morphs into the palate proper, leatherwood and manuka honeys appear, then prunes, creamy caramel, vanilla, an array of gentle warm spices, orange liqueur, coconut and honey-roasted figs. Finish: The developed palate segues effortlessly into a medium finish that is a blend of dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, honeys, dark sugars and spice. Whether or not this rum works for you will depend entirely on whether you have a sweet tooth. Some would consider it to be a delicious alternative to a sauternes, sweet sherry or moscatel and ideal as a dessert liqueur. Others would simply find it unbearably sweet and tooth-achingly cloying. I initially enjoyed the bottle I had but after slowly working through it over the space of about 2 years I have no desire to buy it again, at least for a while. It's a good liqueur rum but there are dozens of other sweet liqueurs I prefer. "Above Average" : 82/100 (3.25 stars)