My informal late-night rum tour-de-force.

[NCyankee]

Something I read late night led me to revisit Zacapa XO a few days ago, which led me to pull out all my older pricier rums, most of which I haven't had in a while.

These are my impressions based on a not-very-critical tasting of small samples, probably 1/2-3/4 oz each, and in informal rating based on my experience with them so far. (yes Capn I know these ratings are top heavy but these are most of my very favorite rums

Zacapa XO - excellent, not overly sweet like the 23 yr, very complex and rich, maybe the best I have yet had. 9.5

Zacapa 23 - still on the sweet side but quite nice. 8

Zaya 12 - really sweet and liqueur like. IMO a step below the other Z's. 7.5

Flor de Cana - this is one I like but not as much as others seem to. Though it has many rich and complex flavors, they all seem to be very similar "dark" flavors - smoke, tobacco, leather, wood. Drier and less fruity than my favorites. 8

Myers's Legend. Rich, dry, chest warming, woody. 9

Gosling's Old Family reserve. Rich and woody but more fruity and sweet than the legend. 9.5

El Dorado 15 - one of my favorites. Near perfect. 9

El Dorado 12 - my other favorite. A little sweeter than the 15, with some cola-like flavor. back and forth which I like better, but given the price I drink a lot more 12 yr. 9

Note that though I gave the highest ratings to the Zacapa XO and Gosling's, I don't consider them my favorites when I figure price into it. I can't afford to drink them often.

[Capn Jimbo]

Making a list and checking it twice...


Love lists, they are endlessly interesting. You've had a go at a few that are hard to find, or in some cases hard to afford. Very few have tried the Myers's Legend - a real treat. While I have little real interest in any of the Zee rums, it's worth saying that Sue Sea and I once attended a Zacapa presentation sponsored by Burr in Miami.

The room was filled with perhaps 50 tasters, many of whom were pretty experienced. The Zacapa XO, 23 and a 15 were tasted, as well as a couple Botrans. The 15 won by consensus, including us.

The only one on the list we'd love to try was the Gosling's Old Family Reserve, which tops $60 and always has, thus escaping us for both financial and philosophical reasons (which recognizes that true world class rums don't have to cost more than $30, or in some cases $20).

Thanks for the list...

[jankdc]

Thanks for the post. I'll need to keep an eye out for the El Dorado 12 when I'm out of town.

[NCyankee]

Making a list and checking it twice...

The only one on the list we'd love to try was the Gosling's Old Family Reserve, which tops $60 and always has, thus escaping us for both financial and philosophical reasons (which recognizes that true world class rums don't have to cost more than $30, or in some cases $20).

Thanks for the list...

It is a very pricey rum, it was a birthday present from my girlfriend (purchased by me for $56 I believe.) Not necessarily worth the premium price next to the El Dorados, and probably won't buy again but nice to try once.