Been off on a rum kick the last couple of weeks. Went through the other thread which was slightly dated -- so I'm kind of curious what are folks' current top picks?
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Been off on a rum kick the last couple of weeks. Went through the other thread which was slightly dated -- so I'm kind of curious what are folks' current top picks?
Right now, we're liking the Zaya rum. A little pricey here at $40 but really tasty.
Is this the newer Angostura related Zaya (Trinidad) or the discontinued Zacapa related (Guatemalan)?Quote:
Originally Posted by GolfNut
Zaya Gran Reserva 12yo Trinidad. Tastes like a Creme Brulee.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chè
Che, where they hell you been for the past five years?
Welcome back!:smiley20:
I like Havana Club but I'm not really much into premium rums.
You might want to give the Angostura line a try. This version of Zaya is a blend of their rums.Quote:
Originally Posted by GolfNut
Trying on dresses and stuck in line at "Forever 41". :smiley36:Quote:
Originally Posted by CoventryCat86
I know exactly what you mean. I like Ferraris but I'm not really much into fast cars. LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by CoventryCat86
Aside from the no-brainer "Z" rums (I agree, Che - the Guatemalan Zacapa was much better than the Zaya Trinidad) and Havana Club, I like Appleton Estate Extra – 12 Year Old :smiley20:
I've not had the 21 yr old, but have heard good things. Unfortunately I'm more of a Anejo Tequila and Scotch fan so I typically invest my $$$ there. :smiley37:
Also - I know it sounds crazy - but at one time I really enjoyed Bicardi Solara. Smooth - pleasant. I don't know what they did, but the newer stuff tastes to me like varnish remover...
Maybe I created a mix up with Zacapa... but just to be clear, prior to a couple of years ago, ILdG simultaneously produced both Zacapa and Zaya. They were siblings. Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala also produces Ron Botran, which the "1893" is pretty damn good sibling too.Quote:
Originally Posted by ggiese
Zaya was a private brand of rum bought from the distillery. BTW, Montecristo rum was also private bought / bottled rum from the same source. From what I hear, Montecristo is no longer ILdG product as well -- but before getting the boot the bottler secured a supply that would allow the brand to remain the same origin for awhile. Zaya on the other hand quickly switched to bottling private bought Angostura rum and only changed the origin on the bottle label to product of "Trinidad"
Nothing unfortunate about that. My tequila experience is more moderate than other spirits. But hopefully we'll get to a Scotch discussion sometime soon as I definitely dabble in malts too.Quote:
Originally Posted by ggiese
Being an anejo tequila fan, if you come across Depaz Blue Cane Rhum, you might try a shot. A lot of the better refined rhum agricoles have characteristics similar to aged tequila. Depaz has decent US distribution and representation but the number / variety of agricoles that come ashore stateside is pretty limited.
Yeah. This use to be "the Cuban substitute". I still have a bottle left from 2001. And you're right, I tasted some recent production about a year back...:smiley21:Quote:
Originally Posted by ggiese
I knew there was a connection between Zaya and Zacapa, but never knew they were that close. I like both (in earlier versions) equally well. Now it makes sense the difference I'm experiencing. Thanks for the info! :smiley20:Quote:
Originally Posted by Chè
Recently, while in Las Vegas, I had a chance to sit down at Casa Fuente with a cigar and a wee bit of the Montecristo Rum. Nearly forgot about that - which is odd, because at the time I thought it was unforgettable. Momma joined me, and even remarked that she thought it was one of the more memorable parts of our trip! Good stuff as well! :smiley20:
Ah... The hells of getting older.
BTW - momma gave me a gift of Dalmore King Alexander III for Christmas. ...and just about finished my bottle of Dailuaine 15 yr old that I got for Christmas from another friend (good hooch!). I've not opened the King Alexander... yet... Some of the samples I've have made me increasingly anxious to crack it open...
I have really enjoyed the captain morgan private stock i got recently.
I'm not sure of the complete accuracy however I tend to believe there was some truth in it, but my understanding was the Fuente family either were the owners of or had a hefty stake in Montecristo Rum brand. As a result, the Casa in Vegas had a selection of malts, but the rum served was exclusively Montecristo.Quote:
Originally Posted by ggiese
Nice! I have not had the King, myself. For many years the outfit Trader Joe's sold Dalmore 12 year old for $19.99 around here. In the last year or so it appears they stopped carrying it. Anyhoo, due to that absurd price, I'm very familiar with the 12 but really as a consumer didn't branch out on the brand much (with that price, I wasn't going 'nowhere').Quote:
Originally Posted by ggiese
The 3 other iterations I've tasted were the Cigar Malt (quite a few times) and I was lucky to taste 2 different releases of the "Stillman's Dram" I think was the correct title of these... 28 & 30 years old respectively. I don't focus on age and make a conscious point to rule it out of my interest, but I have to say the 30 Stillman's Dram was the Shhhh! I hear the Alexander The III is very:smiley20:.
I was at my local NH liquor store and they had 4 bottles of the zacapa 23 yr Guatemalan. Had not idea it was discontinued. Looks like I should pick some up.:smiley37:Quote:
Originally Posted by Chè
Edit - funny, I checked the state inventory and it shows only three bottles in the state and not at the store I was at. Looks like I really need to pick some up tomorrow.
Zacapa was NOT discontinued. No stampede necessary.
The private brand "Zaya" lost it's source which was the same distillery (as Zacapa) but a different blend. Zacapa continues to be produced. Zaya the brand continued but the source of the rum is no longer Guatemalan nor related to Zacapa.
Does NH = New Hampshire? If so, you guys have some nice prices on certain liquors. That said, talking Zacapa, Shopper's Vineyard in NJ (quiet as it's kept lol) regularly sells Zacapa X.O. for $59.99. If you look around, that's a steal!
Today I had a couple of small pours of this rum (hopefully the picture works).
Ron Botran 1893 is also a rum in the "Zacapa" family. Less sweet + a tad drier than Zacapa 23 & the now retired Guatemalan Zaya, allegedly in the 18 year old range.
Of the three mentioned names, I think this one comes closest or reminds me the most of a good malt, with some evident barrel char & a slight smokiness. Big thumbs up!
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...Botran1893.jpg
Back in the saddle, just went through a measure of this retired classic. Still love this stuff when ever I desire a heavier, sweeter pour. :smiley20:
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...album/8895.jpg
Opened this up earlier today. Good stuff. Less attitude than their 12 year old, still a very nice sipping rum!
:smiley20:
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q..._album/008.jpg
Since winter moved in, haven't been on the rum much (mostly whiskeys and brews lately). Since I poured a couple of shots just over an hr ago figured I come rant about it. Excellent. Not overpriced either. Enjoyed with a Montecristo No.4.:smiley20:
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q..._album/013.jpg
I have had Plantaion a few times. I little too sweet for my taste.
I tend to like Dominican & Hatian rum's. Barbancourt is my favorite.
What matters is which Plantation you've tried. The Ferrand (Cognac) family owns the label "Plantation" - They buy rums from a quite a few countries/makers and typically finish them in France in cognac casks before bottling.Quote:
Originally Posted by Paddy
The point being, 1 bottle of Plantation does not represent the name/line "Plantation". With the exception of them steering clear of additives and appearing to try to select rums that are clean from all their sources, specific flavors and characteristics like "too sweet" would likely be applicable to the specific bottle you tried and may even deviate per vintage of said country/region/maker.
The bottle above is a Grand Reserve bottle containing rum from Barbados. The higher tiered vintage bottles of the Barbados rums are similar but pretty different than the standard Grand Reserve bottles I've had (for example). Not to mention the Guyana, Nicaraguan, Jamaican etc. bottles I've tasted were completely different as were some of their specific vintages/releases with-in.
All that said, you might try bottles from opposing regions/countries/makers. Or maybe it could be that the cognac finishing is something you don't like across the board.
My knowledge on rum’s is limited at best.
I tend to stick with Brugel & Barbancourt because I know
they are dry. There is also one I like very much from Panama.
The name escapes me. I should put more effort into research.
Che, you seem to be very knowledgeable.
Are there any “drier” rum’s you would suggest I try?
Must go rum shopping when the check arrives...:smiley20:
I do enjoy Barbancourt (8 & 15) a lot. Brugel I'm kinda ify about but will not walk away from a measure.Quote:
Originally Posted by Paddy
Was the Panamanian rum you're thinking of Ron Abuelo? Did I mention Plantation has a Panamanian rum bottle too? My best guess is theirs is hand picked rum from VARELA HERMANOS, S.A. the maker of Abuelo rums.
If Barbancourt is your standard measuring stick for "dry", I'd say your choices get slim. Besides Brugel, my guess is you'd probably like Ron Barrilito 3 star (Puerto Rican), maybe Flor de Cana 12 year old or the 18 (Nicaragua). The thing at least for me is, unless one is really acclimated to rum, drier & less sweet rums tend to be tougher to sip (neat) than sweeter ones.
Barbancourt is somewhat of an anomaly. If you like all the flavor in Barbancourt (beyond its drier less sweet components) including its grassier lighter overtones, then what you'll actually want to give a shot is "Agricole Rhums". Look for Depaz Blue Cane Rhum or Clement VSOP to begin with. As far as the pure cane grassy notes go, agricoles tend to be like extreme Barbancourt. Very dry, very grassy and to many witnesses, much rawer.
From what little I understand, Barbancourt tends to be made using Agricole methods, but supply-wise they supplement by use of some molasses in their process. Not sure if that is exactly it but haven't really reason to question it. True Agricole is made from fresh pressed sugar cane (ABSOLUTELY NO MOLASSES).
Hope the drivel above is of some help.
I enjoy Pusser's Navy Rum. It's the actual rum that the English Admiralty served to it's sailors. It's the real thing. Puts a pencil in your pants and courage in your heart.
When Winston Churchill was asked why the British Navy was so successful he replied, "Rum, (Pusser's) Sodomy and the lash".
Doc.
Yes the Panamanian rum is Ron Abuelo. I have only limited my rum intake to two or three different brands due to the fact of blindly buying bottles I did not care for. I have purchased a few Rums from Martineque & other countries that where far too sweet. I tend to like dry spirits with a short finish. I think that is why I indulge on tequila blanco so often. I will seek out your examples and apprciate you advice. Massachusetts is a hard place to find some spirits. I have to have friends send me mezcal because it is impossable to find at any store. mail-order booze is a big NO-NO
in MA so the internet is of no help.
Neat thread full of rums I can't get! (but I'm happy with what I do get, just picked up a bottle of Havana Club Cuban Barrel Proof at the Liquor store tonight.)Quote:
Originally Posted by Chè
Any opinion on the Plantation Barbados 20th Anniversary? There was one bottle at the Liquor store, maybe I should go back?
Paddy - Pyrat Rum is (to me) on the drier, more "raw" side. When in the mood, I enjoy sipping it with more full bodied cigars. ...and it comes in a cool bottle! You might want to give that a try.Quote:
Originally Posted by Paddy
Funny - I was recently eyeing a bottle of the Plantation and thinking about summers in in the back yard... But, alas, the winter weather here had me opting instead for a bottle of Templetons Rye. :smiley37:
Thanks for the review - I'll look more seriously at Plantation the next time I'm "shopping". :smiley20:
Factoring in you like tequila, I'd say try to find a bottle of the Depaz Blue Cane Rhum. It's not cheap, ($45ish), but has a definite tequila-like bark and bite to it. I wouldn't say its finish is short, but it's sharper than Barbancourt even imho.
Enjoy. The HCBP is being altered and repackaged as we speak. The title is being changed and (I haven't had the new to compare) according to others I'd trust, the blend doesn't taste quite the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by craig
Probably in the minority but I thought it was a bit of deception with it being described as "Barrel Proof", when in fact it's always carried a fixed ABV.