Rum

[rayfound]

In the begginning, there was rum. Any rum, mix with coke, drink, feel good.

Then came the bachelor party... too much rum.

Spent some time with Vodka and Gin. Then just vodka.

And then something special happened. I was in a bar in Mexico. A quaint, friendly bar, not the load obnoxious Tijuiana bars. No, A nice little bar. It was here that I happened upon Bacardi Anejo. A rum, distilled in mexico, and aged for 6 years.

So here I am now, and have found that it is locally available. and cheap $13/750ml.

Its still rum, but its much more mature, more finished tasting than any regular store shelf rum (Bacardi Light, Gold, Captain, etc...) but it is not as 'rough' as something like a Myers Dark. Its smooth, mellow, and very flavorful. They say its good straight up, but I still love it the way I first had it in Mexico: With coke and Lime. Never pepsi. Never bottled lime juice (for that is only for heathens). About 60% rum, 40% Coke, and a lime wedge squeezed and dropped in.

I've never had a strong feeling about rum. Rum was always just rum.

Anyone else have rums that they find to be particularly enjoyable?


-Ray

[joea527]

Doorley's Barbados Rum XO. It's really more like a fine sipping whiskey. Smoooooooth. People who try it can't don't believe it's rum. They can't quite put their finger on it but they don't think it's rum. I am not a rum drinker except for this stuff.

[elosamurai]

As im from the Dominican Republic I could not just read this post.. So here are my 2 cents or pesos.. The smoothest of all our fine rums must be Barcelo extra viejo gran reserve,, i swear it goes down so smooth it will decieve you into drinking more of it.. Till it hits you all at once...ahhh sweet mindnumbing bliss.. I cant tell you where to find it but my local bodega sells them undercounter for 12 bux, but in DR that much would almost by you a case.. not really but they go for 90 pesos .. its 36 to 1 american so its 2.75us... sure beats a 40 ounces anyday!!

[Scorpio]

Since I was born and raised in PR, I know a little about rums. Bacardi are among the best. Bacardi has a larger marketing scheme so it is better known but Don Q is by far much better specially Don Q Crystal, very smooth. Bacardi has a gran reserve and a 151 proof for the extreme. there are also a few other brands that are just local but just as good. Coquito made with Don Q is the best. Mojito with Don Q Crystal has no equal.

Raf

[Mottern Man]

2 words, Sailor Jerry!

[ratcheer]

I have always liked rum. Over the years, I have come across a few that were very special, to me:

Myers's Plantation Punch - so flavorful
Mt. Gay Sugar Cane Brandy - a rum that is a lot like fine cognac
Pusser's Naval Rum - for when you want to feel like a British sailor

One of my favorite rum drinks is the Hemingway Daquiri. Juice of half a fresh lime. Lots of crushed ice. Two shots of good rum. No sugar. This really was one of Ernest Hemingway's favorites. A man's daquiri.

Tim

[htownmmm]

I think it's time to restock the bar!



Marty

[ouch]

I've had some nice ones from Appelton, Barbancourt, and Gosling.

[JohnP]

Sea Wynde, Gosling's Black Seal, Bacardi 1873 Solera
Good stuff.
I have a bottle of Pyrat but have not tried it yet.
John P.

[TimmyBoston]

I'm not a rum guy, but I normally buy Cruzan if I do buy rum. I find it a nice blend of quality and price.

[catatonic]

Arehucas. My aunt, who works in Gran Canaria sent me this telling me it was the best rum from the islands.

I never liked rum, but this stuff is great! I'm just afraid to know how much this stuff must have cost.

[Ben]

Havana Club 7
Rhum Barbancourt 15
Ron Pampero Anniversario
Ron Zacapa Centenario
Ron Matusalem Clasico or Gran Reserva

[rpatteson]

Ben,

You have a nice list there! I like them all. Just happened to come across this thread and thought I'd plug our humble rum review website. It was created to help normal everyday people find an honest rum review. Hopefully it's a little entertaining. We also have many links to distillers, info, and even other review sites. We do some original articles too so check it out. Send me feedback if you like it or if you see room for improvement.

http://www.rndrumreviews.com/

We aren't affiliated with anyone in the rum industry.

Happy New Year!

Roger

[Phog Allen]

Ben,

You have a nice list there! I like them all. Just happened to come across this thread and thought I'd plug our humble rum review website. It was created to help normal everyday people find an honest rum review. Hopefully it's a little entertaining. We also have many links to distillers, info, and even other review sites. We do some original articles too so check it out. Send me feedback if you like it or if you see room for improvement.

http://www.rndrumreviews.com/

We aren't affiliated with anyone in the rum industry.

Happy New Year!

Roger

Nice site Rog. Now, educate me about rum. I know the basics. Fermented from molasses, aged for 6 years minimum(most times I think?), and comes in light, dark, spiced, and maybe other versions. I ask because the wife and I are fond of Tom & Jerry at holiday time and winter nights. Basically it's a eggnogg type "batter" that you mix with rum and brandy. Then top off with hot milk or water. We prefer milk. Since I only tend to drink whisky and bourbon neat, I don't need super premium rum or brandy for mixers. What's a good mixing rum? Thanks.

Regards, Todd

[AACJ]

I'm not a rum guy, but I normally buy Cruzan if I do buy rum. I find it a nice blend of quality and price.

I'm not a rum guy either but when I lived in the Virgin Islands for a few months many years ago, we were able to pick up Cruzan run for less than 1.00 a bottle at the grocery store, even less if it was on sale. Of course I brought back what I was legally able to, and then some....

[Straight Arrow]

I have never tasted rum in all my life and I received a bottle of Bacardi Superior for Christmas. I haven't opened the bottle yet. I'm more of a scotch drinker and enjoy it straight or on the rocks. Can rum be enjoyed as a straight sipping drink?

[moses]

Havana Club 7
Rhum Barbancourt 15
Ron Pampero Anniversario
Ron Zacapa Centenario
Ron Matusalem Clasico or Gran Reserva

I'm no expert, but I do know enough to know that Ben knows what he is talking about.

Rhum Barbancourt 15 is REALLY good stuff. And of all the rums I've had, nothing quite touches Havana Club 7. Makes an unbelieveable Cuba Libre, but it is almost a shame to mix it with anything.

-Mo

[Ben]

All of the rums I listed are really best sipped, and I've not mixed any of the rums I listed.

[Woknblues]

In SEA, where I have made my home for 4 of the last 8 years, they have interesting interpretations of spirits. In Thailand, (where I lived for about two years) they have their "premium" Mekong, a potent "whiskey" that I quote, because I really don't think that it would qualify as such if we are strictly talking whiskey as we all know it to be. Mekong is actually pretty harsh, but the alternative in Thailand, "Sang Som" is pretty damn smooth and smokey but a rum if I ever had one, and at about 4 bucks a fifth, lets just say I had a lot of fun with that. (though the trend at the time was in a small bucket with a bottle of red bull, a coke and four straws..)

Now that I am in the Philippines, they have their "Mekong" called "Tanduay", again, a potent, harsh interpretation of what I do not know really, and then there is a whole slew of psuedo spanish brandies, and even spanish imports that are damn near good enough to drink, and at 2 bucks a fifth (the Filipino ones), I can't say "no". I have a pic of a spanish brandy and the local "limes" here called calamansi, or what I know to be a key lime.

"My drink" consists of about 4 of these little green love machines, squeezed through a fork to catch the seeds over ice in a short tumbler glass with 50/50 one of these brandies and coke. Honestly though, I like the spanish ones by themselves, no rocks, they are that good.

I put a pic in of my favorite Spanish brandy available here, along with a few calamansi and my new watch (just for size reference)..(ok, I love that watch)

[djpharoah]

Having come back from India, I have grown to like Old Monk XXX Rum.