I've been a rum man for around 10 years, since i left uni really, progressed from the lighter/sweeter mixing rums etc to aged and spiced sipping rums, I still enjoy the occasional Captain Morgan black or tattoo with a dry mixer, specially if I'm in party mode, There are plenty of rums still to try and something i love doing specially when overseas is finding a new one, rum is very mistaken in its history and flavour, something i believe brands such as Bundaburg have given rum a bad name, when ever i tell my friends i drink rum they all think i gulp back glasses of battery acid or window cleaner, o how they change there tune after a glass of what i have on my shelf.
Since i moved to AU I get all my rums from here unless a local store has something special:
https://www.mybottleshop.com.au/liquor/buy-spirits-online/rum
I've probably tried over 25 sipping rums in the last 8 or so years, my favorites to date are:
Sipping
Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva 12 Year Old Rum - 4.75/5
This is my go to sipping choice, just be aware it needs time to breath, especially on a new opening, the flavors really come to life after the liquid hits room temperature and has had 10-15min to breath, this is one rum i recommend to all my friends who want to try out sipping rums instead of mixers or blends, I have tried a few of the Diplomatico range and this is my 1st pick, Anejo is ok but lacks depth, I was lucky enough to have a sip of the Ambassador Selection at a tasting event but without eating before i felt it was rather heavy on the palette
Pussers Nelsons Blood 15 Year Old Rum - 4.5/5
I'm half POM so you cannot expect me to not have this one in here
- This is a very old school rum, was given to sailors back in the day to help with nerves and courage when sailing for the navy, there is two variants, the original and 15 year, both are great for sipping
Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 Rum - 4/5
I do enjoy an occasional Ron, especially after a heavy meal, like a roast dinner, the flavors are on a different scale to Diplo, I find Ron to be more bourbon like in its taste where as the Diplo is more molasses, I agree with a previous poster as well the XO although a beautiful rum is kind of outshone by its younger version
Flor de Cana 18 Year Centenario Gold Rum - 4/5
This is not a cheap drop but it worth every penny imo, I've tried the 12 and 18 year Flor de Cana's and the 18 is a level beyond the 12, a tad sweater to the taste and so much more flavour afterwards, bare in mind this rum is not for everyone, its very old school in its making and carries allot of oak into its flavour which may put a few off
Mixing
Captain Morgan Tattoo - 4/5
drinkable both over ice and in a dry mix, this is sweet and hot spice so if you mix try to compliment that flavour
Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum - 4/5
The rum that started my obsession, many a night has been forgotten on this drop, drink with your preferred mixer and forget all your worries