Starr African, D'Aristi, Diplomatico?

[Scottes]

While hunting for rums in a liquor store I came across a few that caught my eye: Starr African, D'Aristi 10-Year Special Reserve and Solver rums, and Diplomatico Reserva.

The Starr caught my eye because the bottle is so... designed. It's reminiscent of the Tommy Bahama bottles. Both factors mean that I won't buy it on a whim, but I can't find much info on it. http://www.africanrum.com


The D'Aristi bottle definiteley caught my eye. Knights of Arabia, anyone? Now this one I might just buy for the bottle!
http://www.nammu.com.mx/Imagenes/tumb__prod_8.jpg


The Diplomatico was next to the D'Aristi, so I looked at it, kinda curious since it's from Mexico and non-Caribbean rums always catch my attention.


Regardless of the pretty bottles, I am not about to purchase any of these without more info about what's inside, so I was wondering if anyone had any insight...

[bluewave6]

Have not tried the Starr or D'Arista, but I love the Diplomatic Reserve. I find it comparable to Santa Teresa Solera rum. It is a tad bitter sweeter than the Santa Teresa Solera but every bit as good. I plan on picking up a bottle of the D'Arista rum when I vacation in CA next month (already have a trip planned out to visit Hi Time Wines :) I have seen the Starr rum before and decided against trying it after I read all the Hollywood buzz about it and how it was popular with actors and hip hop rap musicians.

[anguswinchester]

As far as I know African Starr is just a repackaging of Green Island rum...

aw

[angelsword]

As far as I know African Starr is just a repackaging of Green Island rum...

aw

Correct.

African Starr is has the U.S. exclusive for that formula from International Distillers Mauritius. The rest of the world gets Green Island.

The formula seems to have shifted a bit in the last couple of years towards a bit more anise and less of the aged Flambouyant added.

[alagave]

D'Aristi is made at a restored hacienda outside Merida, Yucatan and is comparable to other mainland Central American rums. I would consider it a small batch boutique rum and I actually enjoyed the taste I had - in a bar in Villahermosa.

This company also uses their unaged rum as a base for a local digestif that combines local organic honey (from sting-less bees!) and anise seeds.

I will probably visit this distillery on my next trip to the Yucatan.

[Matusalem]

The D'Aristi bottle definiteley caught my eye. Knights of Arabia, anyone? Now this one I might just buy for the bottle!
http://www.nammu.com.mx/Imagenes/tumb__prod_8.jpg
I broke down just about a year back & got a bottle of the D'Aristi 10 Special Reserve.

This rum actually surprised me a little bit. I made the purchase sort of blind, without accessing a review and was un-aware of the packageing & presentation enhancements. I found the spirit to be quite pleasant, definitely not a powerhouse of a ron though.

[Edward Hamilton]

As far as I know African Starr is just a repackaging of Green Island rum...

aw

When I got my first bottle of Starr African I compared it to a bottle of Green Island which had been in my locker for a couple of years. These two rums were exactly the same, but distilled spirits do change from year to year, unless you're blending something like Dewar's Scotch - it never varies (if you believe the label).

[Scottes]

el machete just reviewed the Starr African, and gave it a very good review. http://www.macheterum.com/2007/07/starr-african-rum.html

From his description it seems a bit expensive for what it is.

[Roger]

I bought a bottle of D'Aristi 10-Year Special Reservea month ago and found it to be decent for the age. I plan on reviewing it sometime in the next couple months after Panama. I found it to be clean and consistent with its age but nothing really special that would make me buy another bottle. I really bought it for the cool bottle with I normally don't do.

It's not a bad deal for the price though in that price range I like Ron Pampero Anniversario better.

Roger

http://www.rndrumreviews.com/

[angelsword]

When I got my first bottle of Starr African I compared it to a bottle of Green Island which had been in my locker for a couple of years. These two rums were exactly the same, but distilled spirits do change from year to year, unless you're blending something like Dewar's Scotch - it never varies (if you believe the label).

Must have been my palate that changed since 2000 when I first became a fan of Green Island. I was trying to get the US import contract but Starr African got it instead.