New Rum Lover Questions

[elmo0823]

Hi I am getting into the rum world and like what I have found so far. I have bought two bottles (Appleton 12yr and El Dorado 15yr) I like the El Dorago better mainly because of the alcohol and burning of the appleton. I have never been a big fan of the alcohol taste and burning. So I was looking into getting my third bottle but cannot decide which.

Ron Zacapa Cent 23
Zaya 12yr Gran Reverve
Ron Barcelo Imperial
Mount Gay Extra Old
Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva

Any help would be greatly apperciated. Thanks

[TheRumelier]

Welcome, I don't think you can go wrong with any of those rums, they are all oustanding in their own right. However, you are going to find a considerable difference from the Appleton and El Dodorao. These are lighter, and in some cases much sweeter. Hopefully, eventually you will be able to collect all of the mentioned rums. They would make a great start to any rum lovers collection.

[jchaffin]

When I first started getting into rums (a few years ago), I did so by way of interest in tropical "tiki" drinks. The initial books I picked up were "the Grog Log" and "Sippin' Safari" by Beachbum Berry. Both have a quick and dirty list of rums by point of origin, and usually a high ticket and low ticket recommendation for each.

To get some idea of the range of rum, I recommend picking up a Rhum Barbancourt (from Haiti), the El Dorado (Demerera from Guyana), Coruba (Jamaican dark), any nice golden sipping rum, and Bacardi (as an easy example of a light rum).

[Count Silvio]

Since you're already enjoying a selection of damn fine rums I would have to recommend Matusalem (http://www.refinedvices.com/Ron-Matusalem-Gran-Reserva-15-Solera) next. Zacapa could be a big disappointment... I find it too sugary and bland.

[M.A Scarzeny]

I must disagree about the Zacapa being a bad choice. The Zacapa is sweet and smooth, and many people will agree that Zacapa is a good starter when it comes to "rum-newbies". Many newcomers tends to love it. Matusalem is more like the Appleton, in that I mean light and with a little burn.

[KINGSTON]

Zacapa 23................ No burn all flavor. One of the best period.

[Rum Runner Imports]

I like the El Dorago better mainly because of the alcohol and burning of the appleton. I have never been a big fan of the alcohol taste and burning.


I know exactly what you mean about the Appleton Burn! Some would say we're crazy...its a matter of personal taste. And as you can see, a varied response...my vote would be for MGXO...a well crafted/aged rum from the Caribbean...no burn I promise. (or sweet overtones)

[Count Silvio]

I must disagree about the Zacapa being a bad choice. The Zacapa is sweet and smooth, and many people will agree that Zacapa is a good starter when it comes to "rum-newbies". Many newcomers tends to love it. Matusalem is more like the Appleton, in that I mean light and with a little burn.

Not necessarily a bad choice and you're right about it being a good starter rum but I figured that he might appreciate the Matusalem more since he was already enjoying El Dorado 15 and Appleton 12 which are both very fine rums and certainly not beginner rums in my opinion.

[Carbon]

My opinion on the Zacapa seems to be similar to Silvio's, but I'd probably still recommend the 23 based on the description he gave in the original post about not wanting alcoholic notes or burn.

[Lew Barrett]

Zacapa was the rum that really got me rolling, although I already had tasted and enjoyed other fine rums including Barilitto 3 Star and Pampero. But Zacapa hooked me. It's not my top favorite today, but I still like it well enough to keep it on hand, and feel it's a staple in my collection, if only to treat others to when they are starting out. Invariably, a good percentage of new tasters will identify it as their favorite. Reason enough to allow it the accolades it enjoys.