Rum Reviews Rankings and Cheat Sheet

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jankdc
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Rum Reviews Rankings and Cheat Sheet

Post by jankdc »

I've found this site incredibly helpful. One thing that I thought was missing was one spot linking to all of the positively reviewed rums by the Capn and Sea Sue. Here is a list of all the rums in the 5 styles with a rating of 7 or more. I also included the "tie-dye" section because there are lots of well known rums there. I did not include the spiced and flavored rums.

I'm also including the average and range prices found on wine-searcher.com:

Myers's Legend Jamaican Rum Style: Jamaican Rum Rating 10.5 $46 ($42-52)

Mount Gay 1703 Rum Style: Barbadian Rating 10 $96 ($80-110)
Scarlet Ibis Rum Style: "Unclassified" Rating 10 $32 ($29-35)

Mount Gay Extra Old Rum Style: Barbadian Rating 9.5 $45 ($37-54) The Original Standard of Rum, also the Reference for Barbadian Rum.
R. L. Seale's 10 Year Rum Style: Barbadian Rating 9.5 $50 ($35-69)

Dos Maderas 5 + 3 Years Cask & Barrel Rum Style: Barbadian Rating 9 $34 ($30-43)
Mount Gay Sugar Cane Rum Style: Barbadian Rating 9 $24 ($23-25)
Prichard's Private Stock Rum Style: Jamaican Rating 9 $110 ($107-115)
Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaican Rum Style: Jamaican Rum Rating 9 $30 ($28-34)
Westerhall Plantation Rum Style: Cane Juice / Cuban Rating 9 $27 ($22-32)

Alleyne Arthur's Special Barbados Rum Style: Cane Juice Rum Rating 8.5 $Not found ($15-20?)
Doorly's XO Rum Style: Barbadian Rating 8.5 $35 ($29-45) Capn Jimbo recommends as your second bottle of rum after Mount Gay Extra Old and before you start your reference collection.
Flor de Cana 18 Year Style: Demeraran Rating 8.5 $32 ($30-37)
Mount Gay Eclipse Black Rum Style: Barbadian Rating 8.5 $22 ($19-26)
Prichard's Fine Rum Style: Jamaican Rating 8.5 $38 ($32-45)
Starr African Rum Style: Cuban Rating 8.5 $34 ($30-38)
Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum Style: Jamaican Rum Rating 8.5 $22 ($19-26)

Angostura 1919 Rum Style: "Twiggie Tie Dye" Rating 8 $34 ($30-37) Capn Jimbo had recommended it to round out the basic collection. He has since retracted that (see post below).
Appleton Extra 12 Year Rum Style: Jamaican Rum Rating 8 $34 ($27-38) The Reference Standard for Jamaican Rum.
Barbancourt Five Star (8 Year) Rum Style: Cane Juice Rum Rating 8 $26 ($22-30) The Reference Standard for Cane Juice Rum.
Brinley's Gold Coffee Rum Style: Flavored Rating 8 $21 ($18-22) Capn Jimbo recommends to fill out the basic collection.
Calidao Original Jamaican Rum Style: Jamaican Rum Rating 8 $Not found ($25?)
Cruzan Single Barrel Rum Style: Demeraran Rating 8 $29 ($23-35)
Doorly's Five Year Rum Style: Barbadian Rating 8 $26 ($21-29)
El Dorado 8 year Style: Demeraran Rating 8 $24 ($21-27)
El Dorado 15 Year Special Reserve Rum Style: Demeraran Rating 8 $37 ($30-45) The Reference Standard for Demeraran Rum.
Jack Tar Dark Rum Style: Jamaican Rating 8 $Not listed ($15?)
Montecristo 12 Year Rum Style: Cane Juice Rum Rating 8 $37 ($34-40)
Plantation Barbados Old Reserve 1995 Rum Style: Barbadian Rating 8 $80 (Note other years can be had from $27)
Pusser's Red Label Rum Style: Cuban Rating 8 $26 ($20-29)
Rhum Barbancourt White Style: Cane Juice Rum Rating 8 $18 ($14-22)
Rhum Dillon Blanc Style: Cane Juice Rum Rating 8 $Not Found ($20?)
Ron Barcelo Imperial Rum Style: Demeraran Rating 8 $29 ($24-34)
Ron Centenario Conmemorativo Rum Style: Cuban Rating 8 $22 ($19-24)
Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva Solera 15 Rum Style: Cuban Rating 8 $30 ($20-38) The Reference Standard For Cuban Rum.
Ron Viejo de Caldas 8yo Style: Cane Juice/Cuban Rum Rating 8 $14 ($10-18)
Santa Teresa 1796 Rum Style: Jamaican Rum Rating 8 $38 ($34-45)
Sea Wynde Rum Style: Jamaican Rating 8 $40 ($35-42)

Barbancourt Estate Reserve (15 Year) Rum Style: Cane Juice Rum Rating 7.75 $45 ($38-51)
Charbay Tropical Islands Cane Rum Style: Cane Juice Rum Rating 7.75 $35 ($35-35)
Mount Gay Eclipse Gold Rum Style: Barbadian Rating 7.75 $21 ($16-26)
Ron Botran Solera 1893 Rum Style: Demeraran Rating 7.75 $32 ($30-37)

Bacardi 8 Style: Cuban Rating 7.5 $23 ($19-25)
El Dorado 5 Year Rum Style: Demeraran Rating 7.5 $19 ($18-21)
El Dorado 12 Year Special Reserve Rum Style: Demeraran Rating 7.5 $27 ($23-30)
Margaritaville Dark Rum Style: Jamaican Rating 7.5 $16 ($15-19)
Pirate's Choice Molasses Reef Rum Style: Barbadian Rating 7.5 $Not found
Pusser's Blue Label British Navy Rum Style: Jamaican Rum Rating 7.5 $26 ($22-29)
Pyrat XO Rum Style: "Twiggie Tie Dye" Rating 7.5 $29 ($22-35)
Ron Aniversario Cartavio Anejo Cinco (5) Anos Style: Demeraran Rating 7.5 $21.50 ($20-21)
Ron Antigua Bodega 1800 Six (6) Anos Rum Style: Demeraran Rating 7.5 $Not found ($18-20)
Ron Barcelo Gran Anejo Rum Style: Demeraran Rating 7.5 $19 ($18-22)
Rum San Pablo Style: Cuban Rating 7.5 $13 ($one seller)
Santero Rum Seven Year Style: Cuban Rating 7.5 $Not Listed ($20-25?)

Bacardi Anejo Rum Style: Cuban Rating 7 $18 ($13-23)
Barbancourt Three Star (4 Year) Rum Style: Cane Juice Rum Rating 7 $20 ($16-25)
Bermudez Anniversario 12 Anos Style: Cuban Rating 7 $27 ($26-30)
Clement Premiere Canne Style: Cane Juice Rum Rating 7 $34 ($30-38)
Cockspur 12 Year Rum Style: Barbadian Rating 7 $34 ($27-38)
Cohiba Rum 8 Year Rum Style: Demeraran Rating 7 $Not Listed ($10-20?)
Cruzan Estate Diamond Rum Style: Barbadian Rating 7 $26 ($14-35)
Cubaney 8 Year Solera Reserve Rum Style: Cuban Rating 7 $19 ($13-24)
Flor de Cana Seven (7) Year Rum Style: Demeraran Rating 7 $22 ($19-25)
Flor de Cana Twelve Year Rum Style: Demeraran Rating 7 $35 ($30-42)
Pampero Anniversario Reserva Exclusiva Rum Style: Jamaican Rum Rating 7 $32 ($25-38)
Rhum Negrita Style: Cane Juice Rum Rating 7 $17 ($12-24)
Ron Abuelo Anejo 12 Anos Gran Reserva Rum Style: Cuban Rating 7 $35 ($17-45)
Ron Anejo Cacique Rum Style: Demeraran Rating 7 $18 ($14-22)
Ron Barcelo Anejo Rum Style: Demeraran Rating 7 $16 ($13-20)
Ron de Jeremy Rum Style: Cuban Rating 7 $30 ($27-35)
Ron del Barrilito Two Star Rum Style: Cuban Rating 7 $27 ($21-35)
Ron Medellin Extra Anejo 8 Anos Also reviewed here. Style: Demeraran Rating 7 $20 ($20)
Ron Viejo de Caldas Three (3) Year Rum Style: Cane Juice/Cuban Rum Rating 7 $14 ($10-19)
Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 Anos Rum Style: "Twiggie Tie Dye" Rating 7 $43 ($37-50) Capn Jimbo recommends to pick up only to appease the rum snobs.
Saint James Hors d'Age Rum Style: Cane Juice Rum Rating 7 $48 ($43-59)
Zaya Gran Reserva 12 Year Rum Style: "Twiggie Tie Dye" Rating 7 $35 ($27-45)


Other Rums of Note:

Flor de Cana Gold (4 year) Style: Demeraran Rating 4.5 $16 ($13-19) This is a classic mixing rum that Capn Jimbo recommends to fill out the basic collection.
Gosling's Black Seal Rum Style: Dark Rating 6 $21 ($16-26) This is a classic dark rum that is usually mixed. Capn Jimbo recommends to fill out the basic collection.

Please let me know if I've missed anything or if there are any errors.
Updated 12/02/12 to more reflect Sea Sue's contribution, updated rating for Ron Zacapa, and the Capn's unrecommending Angustora 1919.
Updated 1/2/13 to include Bacardi
Updated 2/5/13 to include Ron del Barrilito 2 Star Rum
Updated 2/10/13 to include updated rating for Sea Wynde.
Last edited by jankdc on Sun Feb 10, 2013 11:27 am, edited 11 times in total.
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Capn Jimbo
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Next up? Stone tablets?

Post by Capn Jimbo »

I have come from the mountain...


Who's this megalomaniac, Capn Jimbo of whom you speak? Actually, we looking at years of work, and I would be remiss - and be banished from the dinner table - if I/we did not make clear the major talents and contributions of Sue Sea, my partner in crime.

She is a completely lovely and truly nice person - completely unlike me - without whom this effort would not have taken place. Not only is her palatae superior, but she exudes an honest kindness in her reviews. I can't tell you the number of time she tolerated me running in with yet another bottle of spirits to review.

Here's to Sue Sea! A few corrections: the "reference standards" really represent what a consensus would agree is a consensus of very highly respected rums. They are not mine, simply recognized here. They serve only as a starting point as good examples of a style, and with the idea that, in time, each reader will achieve that understanding and perhaps develop their own.

I completely disavow my recommendation - if true - of Angostura 1919 to "fill out a collection". What 1919 does represent was the "lightbulb" - the "Bananas Foster" rum - that established the notion that our reviews would be based on common ideas, tastes and descriptions that most people would understand (rather than the vague and isoteric adjective of egoistic "reviewers").

Cheers!
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jankdc
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Updated

Post by jankdc »

Updated to more reflect Sea Sue's contribution, updated rating for Ron Zacapa, and you unrecommending the Angastora 1919. Let me know if that's better.
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Post by NCyankee »

Good luck finding Myers's Legend at any price these days, I haven't seen it since I bought a bottle in Myrtle beach about a year and a half ago.

There are three places that come up on that search site, and none in states that allow out of state shipment of liquor.


*******
Capn's Log: What a shame! Legend is a great rum made by a serious company of long experience and repute.
da'rum
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Post by da'rum »

I know I'm a broken record but just in case anyone wants to know or cares. Myers is owned by DIAGEO :(
in goes your eye out
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Post by NCyankee »

da'rum wrote:I know I'm a broken record but just in case anyone wants to know or cares. Myers is owned by DIAGEO :(
When Myers's and Talisker's flavor begins to fall off, as Cruzan's has in recent years, I will care - until then I don't.
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Post by da'rum »

That's obviously completely your choice and I am not forcing my stance down anyone's throat. I am simply posting the info and my opinion and if people see it has merit then wacko. If, like yourself, people don't care and will only cease to buy a spirit once Diageo has wrecked it's flavour then who am I to criticise?

I would argue that Diageo has track record in mislabelling, post distil product altering, market bullying and quality lowering of established brands.With in mind, by buying their products you may be a small player in the degradation of spirit quality, transparency and affordability. Your consumer dollars are supporting the Diageo march.

As I said though, 'your choice'. I'll continue to post on what I think is right and wrong with the information I have and others are free to make informed decisions for themselves.
in goes your eye out
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jankdc
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The rest of the rums

Post by jankdc »

I decided to start working on the rest of the "traditional" rums that got a rating below 7. Someday I'll get to the spiced and twiggy rums.

Ron Botran 12 Year Solera Rum Style: Demeraran Rating 6.75 $26 ($19-32)

Appleton V/X Rum Style: Jamaican Rating 6.5 $23 ($16-34)
Bacardi Gold Style: Cuban Rating 6.5 $16 ($11-21)
Old Brigand Black Label Rum Style: Barbadian Rum Rating 6.5 $26 (24-32)
Ron Abuelo Anejo 7 Anos Reserva Superior Style: Cuban Rating 6.5 $24 ($19-28)
Ron Abuelo Anejo Reserva Especial Rum Style: Cuban Rating 6.5 $16 ($13-19)


Chairman's Reserve Finest St. Lucia Rum Style: Jamaican Rating 6 $24 ($21-29)
Conch Republic Dark Rum (aka Matecumbe Dark) Style: Demeraran Rating 6 $12? (Only one seller)
Coyopa Rum Style: Barbadian Rum Rating 6 $59 (one seller)
Origine Amber Estate Reserve Rum Style: Barbadian Rum Rating 6 $25-32? (Not listed)
Rhum J.M. Blanc Style: Cane Juice Rating 6 $36 ($24-38)
Ron del Barrilito Three Star Rum Style: Cuban Rating 6 $32 ($24-41)
Saint James Extra Old Rum Style: Cane Juice Rating 6 $39 ($36-45)
Saint James Rhum Ambre Rum Style: Cane Juice Rating 6 $23 ($18-37)
Tommy Bahama Golden Sun Rum Style: Barbadian Rum Rating 6 $26 ($18-31)

Bacardi Select Rum (aka Bacardi Black) Style: Cuban Rating 5.5 $16 ($13-20)
10 Cane Rum Style: Cane Juice Rating 5.5 $29 ($23-39)
Fernandez "19" Gold Rum Style: Cuban Rating 5.5 $23 ($19-26)
Oronoco Rum Style: Cane Juice Rating 5.5 $36 ($29-44)

Appleton Reserve Rum Style: Jamaican Rating 5 $28 ($23-31)
Brugal Extra Viejo Gran Reserve Rum Style: Cuban Rating 5 $28 ($24-32)
Ron del Barrilito Two Star Rum Style: Cuban Rating 5 $26 ($21-34)

Sergeant (Sgt) Classick Gold Rum Style: Jamaican Rating 4.5 $24 (One Seller)

Updated 1/2/13 to include the Bacardi Smackdown
Updated 2/5/13 to include Ron del Barrilito updated rating.
Rum Reviews Rankings and Cheat Sheet
References: MGXO, R Mat. GR, Scar Ibis, Apple 12, Barb 5, Pusser's, Wray and Neph, ED 15, 10Cn, West Plant, R Barc Imp.
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jankdc
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Easy to print version

Post by jankdc »

I've just entered this information into a document in Google Docs. It's easy to just print it out in 2 or 3 pages. I print out a couple of copies of the first two pages (double sided) and keep them in my car to refer to when I go shopping. (I try to keep at least one extra to hand out).

Here is the link.
Rum Reviews Rankings and Cheat Sheet
References: MGXO, R Mat. GR, Scar Ibis, Apple 12, Barb 5, Pusser's, Wray and Neph, ED 15, 10Cn, West Plant, R Barc Imp.
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