Despite unpleasant memories of bad Bacardi cocktails and overly cloying froo-froo rum drinks from school days, as a Naval Officer for over two decades, I was intrigued by what my Royal Navy colleagues were always reminiscing about, so I decided to navigate the world of Rums to assess what the fuss was. Below are a half-dozen rums I have tasted of late:
Pusser's Blue Label British Navy Rum is blended from several Caribbean rums, including those from the British Virgin Islands, Trinidad, and Guyana. While I am aware a lot of folks like this, and intending no overt offense to my Royal Navy friends, to me this rum tasted a lot like the sweat dripping off the crotch pad of my biking shorts after a long ride. Not at all in the same category of rums as the ones that follow.
Ron Zacapa Centenario Sistema Solera 23 is a Guatemalan rum, and as the name implies, is blended using the solera system. It offers molasses and brown sugar flavors, along with a bit of tobacco and smoke—a bit thinner than some of the others here. Sips nicely and also works in cocktails.
Mount Gay XO Triple Cask Blend is a rum from Barbados which spends time in American whiskey, bourbon and Cognac casks. Smooth and flavorful, with echoes of chocolate and caramel, and a delightful finish. This is great for sipping neat or with an ice cube. I suspect folks who regularly drink whiskey will likely enjoy this!
Santa Teresa 1796 is a Venezuelan rum, made using the solera method—with the rums in the blend aged 5-35 years. Smooth with flavors of tropical fruit, as well as a background of butterscotch and toffee. Works great for sipping neat or used in cocktails.
El Dorado 21 Year Old Special Reserve is made in Guyana from rums of between 21 and 25 years of age. Smooth with hints of banana, dark chocolate, raisin. This is a great sipping rum which will likely please whiskey/Scotch/bourbon drinkers.
Appleton Estate 21 Year Old from Jamaica is the best rum I have tasted! Smooth with subtle flavors of raisin, vanilla, cinnamon, and a long lingering finish. The only problem with this rum is that the bottles seem to empty so quickly…