Help me choose my next bottle!

[Schock Therapy]

I am not one to stockpile a large variety of rum at one time. Typically I have 2 bottles, one for mixing, and one for sipping. I want to try something new in the latter category, and I am interested in recommendations from the Ministry!
Here is a link to the rums that should be easy to pick up from my local liquor stores. Have a look...what would you choose? Are there any hidden gems? (No, I am not prepared to spend $97 for a bottle...yet!)

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products?keyword=rum&pp=20&by=name&asc=1&pg=1

[Lew Barrett]

First comment; BC prices are horribly prohibitive compared to our US costs.
For instance, I got some Cruzan Single Barrel when I was in California for $20, and Pyrat XO in Washington State's O&O store for $25. But a good rum is, as Hemmingway said of driven partridge shooting, (I'm not a hunter, but like the line) "probably worth what you have to pay for it."

Of the ones I know listed there, I think the Matusalem Grand Reserva is your best buy on a relative basis, and probably splits the difference between sweet and subtle-dry as well as any rum on the list. The Mt. Gay XO is on the dry side, but not too terribly out of line and a classic rum as well.

[Lew Barrett]

I should add that there are a number of classics on the list, but the pricing bears no relationship to costs here. Barbencourt 15 is never really cheap but at roughly $36 US for 750ML here, it's affordable. It's twice that in BC, and the Monarch, which I consider uninteresting, is bottom shelf here, at about $15 bucks a jug. It's the well pour in some places. So if you're a value buyer, I'd suggest doing some research. The Havana Club would be of interest to me as an exotic that I can't find here.

[RobertBurr]

you can't go wrong with the Appleton 12 or the Barbancourt 8 or 15 year olds. The Cruzan Single Barrel is unique. El Dorado 15 is an absolute classic. English Harbour 5 is a fine sipping rum. Havana Club 7 is a good choice. Matusalem 15 has a wonderful buttery, caramel, rich profile.

[JMac]

"First comment; BC prices are horribly prohibitive compared to our US costs."

I have a few choice words for that the most polite being extortion. :mad:

However rant aside, for premium rums like Pyrat Xo and El Dorado etc I just go down to Bellingham or Seattle to buy. Even with duty my purchase is cheaper by a wide margin.

So if your looking not to break the bank..I recommend going across the line.

[Hank Koestner]

Price wise, the Appleton 12 or the Matusalem might be considered.

[Lew Barrett]

JMac,
Next time our boat's up your way, and it is every summer, I'll give you some advance notice. You can drink some of our cheap rum on it. No worries! We'll get more at home.:D

[rumdog007]

Since I am subject to the embargo of Cuban products, any Havana Club product always leaps off the page for me. I love everything about the taste of the HC 7. In fact, I buy a few bottles in a BC Liquors on the Steveston Highway whenever I am close to the border. It's very nice stuff, at a good price. The Lambs Navy rums make a great mixer in cocktails calling for a dark, heavy rum. The Appleton Reserve is the new kid on the block with great balance.

[Schock Therapy]

Thanks for the input! I may just have to buy a couple for comparison! I have a bottle of matusalem Classico right now, that is just ok. It will make a good mixer. I already know I like the Appleton products since they have been my staple for a while.

As for the pricing up here; Liquor is very heavily taxed, thats just a reality we live with. With the cost of fuel and the time to get across the border, making a special trip to the US isn't practical. I just look at the prices as a good reason not to get carried away with my drinking!

[Tiare]

I would not miss the Appleton 12 and Havana Club 7.

[Lew Barrett]

I don't know about Mat. Classico, but Grand Reserva is a great rum, not a mixer.

[JMac]

JMac,
Next time our boat's up your way, and it is every summer, I'll give you some advance notice. You can drink some of our cheap rum on it. No worries! We'll get more at home.:D

Schweet...I'll brush up on pirate songs as well....

[Schock Therapy]

I would not miss the Appleton 12 and Havana Club 7.

The Appleton 12 and Reserve are actually the ones that got me interested in the finer rums. I know them well, and Appleton is always available! I will probably pick up the Havana Club tomorrow!

I don't know about Mat. Classico, but Grand Reserva is a great rum, not a mixer.

The Classico is the cheapest Matusalem (and the only one my local store had in stock). It's not terrible, it just doesn't suit my taste for sipping. I will certainly give their higher end product a shot!

[Hank Koestner]

Try the Matusalem Classico with a splash of a lighter ginger ale and a small lime wedge.

[Schock Therapy]

Try the Matusalem Classico with a splash of a lighter ginger ale and a small lime wedge.

I'll give that a try! (but I'm going to pass on the cucumber slices..:eek:.veggies don't belong in drinks!)

[Rumpelteazer]

In part because of all of the mentions in this thread, I purchased a bottle of the Appleton 12 while on vacation last month. The bottle has sat unopened on the center of my bar for the past week, while I prepared myself with a steady diet of VX.

Tonight it was opened.

This rum is amazing, if only for its ability to make a good rum (the VX) pale by comparison. For one the color, a rich copper instead of medium gold. Also the aroma, with bolder notes of spice and butterscotch. Tasting finds more pronounced flavors of fruit (apricot?) and vanilla, and more spice. There is a strong but balanced smoky oak flavor in the finish, and smoothness all the way (as opposed to just a bit of burn in the VX)

At roughly twice the price of the VX, it is definitely twice the rum (and the VX is very good for its price point). I now understand why so many have listed the 12 here, and I concur wholehartedly.

[Paulipbartender]

In part because of all of the mentions in this thread, I purchased a bottle of the Appleton 12 while on vacation last month. The bottle has sat unopened on the center of my bar for the past week, while I prepared myself with a steady diet of VX.

Tonight it was opened.

This rum is amazing, if only for its ability to make a good rum (the VX) pale by comparison. For one the color, a rich copper instead of medium gold. Also the aroma, with bolder notes of spice and butterscotch. Tasting finds more pronounced flavors of fruit (apricot?) and vanilla, and more spice. There is a strong but balanced smoky oak flavor in the finish, and smoothness all the way (as opposed to just a bit of burn in the VX)

At roughly twice the price of the VX, it is definitely twice the rum (and the VX is very good for its price point). I now understand why so many have listed the 12 here, and I concur wholehartedly.

Another Appleton Extra convert courtesy of Joy Spence. Welcome to the club

:)

[Schock Therapy]

Well, here we are, less than 2 months after I started this thread, and I do believe I have the beginnings of a rum collection! The wife has yet to comment on the number of open bottles in the cupboard, but I know it's coming!

I currently have Havana Club 7, Mount Gay XO , matusalem Classico, Gosling's Black seal, and Arecha anejo 7.

My favorite is definitely the XO, but at $44 it is not my daily drink!

I didn't think much of the Matusalem at first, but since I started adding a splash of water to my rum, i appreciate the flavors in this one more. I will definitely pick up the Gran Reserva at some point.

The HC7 is not bad, but it seems to have slipped to the back of the cupboard!

I just picked up the Arecha, so experience tells me to reserve judgement until tried it a few times.

The Black Seal is still my mixer of choice for Rum 'n' Coke!

[primate77]

Shock - I'm like you, the rum collection has gained some steam in the past month! Unlike you though, the wife is starting to take notice!

I've not dropped the cash for the XO yet, but I've tried it out with friends, and it's possibly my favourite so far.

I'm finding the Goslings Black Seal to be my "go to" rum right now. I have a Dark-n-Stormy about every other night, and it does also mix nice with coke. I find it to be a rather enjoyable rum, and not outrageously expensive.

For a recommendation for you... I picked up a small 100mL bottle of Zaya 12 year for about $6, and I'm sipping off this little bottle, and I can say, I think this just might be my next "higher dollar" purchase of rum!

I want the Westerhall Plantation, but the nearest store that carries it is 45 miles away - so it will wait.

[RumBarPhilly]

Ive got the Westerhall, it wasnt anywheres near as good as Id hoped it to be. I overpaid for it, and it was just eh. Unless the price is right, I wouldnt recommend it.

[KINGSTON]

Just picked up some Barbancourt 4yr. I would suggest to try out a bottle.

[primate77]

Ive got the Westerhall, it wasnt anywheres near as good as Id hoped it to be. I overpaid for it, and it was just eh. Unless the price is right, I wouldnt recommend it.

Adam - that is too bad to hear! But the feedback is welcome if it keeps me from spending on something I perhaps better not spend on? You said you overpaid? How much if I might ask? It goes for $21.99 in the store closest to me, which isn't exactly close.

Did you drink this straight? I've read a few different places Westerhall is perhaps best served as a "mist" over lots of crushed ice.

What was the taste?

[Schock Therapy]

Just picked up some Barbancourt 4yr. I would suggest to try out a bottle.

The only Barbancourt product I can get is the 15 Year Old Estate Reserve, and at $75 I won't be buying it anytime soon! Perhaps if a friend is going across the border I'll get them to pick it up for a reasonable price. I don't want to encourage the price gouging that is clearly happening with that product!

[Lew Barrett]

The only Barbancourt product I can get is the 15 Year Old Estate Reserve, and at $75 I won't be buying it anytime soon! Perhaps if a friend is going across the border I'll get them to pick it up for a reasonable price. I don't want to encourage the price gouging that is clearly happening with that product!

$38 US in Washington, but not available in all stores. A regularly stocked product here in Seattle at the bigger locations, though.

[RobertBurr]

The only Barbancourt product I can get is the 15 Year Old Estate Reserve, and at $75 I won't be buying it anytime soon! Perhaps if a friend is going across the border I'll get them to pick it up for a reasonable price. I don't want to encourage the price gouging that is clearly happening with that product!

The Estate Reserve ($75 - wow!) is not the same as the Reserve du Domaine 15 year old, available in the islands for about $15-20, with a number on the back of each bottle.

We'll be sampling them both, among many others, this coming Thursday evening at our Gifted Rums of Hispaniola tasting.

[RumBarPhilly]

The Estate Reserve ($75 - wow!) is not the same as the Reserve du Domaine 15 year old, available in the islands for about $15-20, with a number on the back of each bottle.

We'll be sampling them both, among many others, this coming Thursday evening at our Gifted Rums of Hispaniola tasting.

Let us know the differences!

[RumBarPhilly]

Adam - that is too bad to hear! But the feedback is welcome if it keeps me from spending on something I perhaps better not spend on? You said you overpaid? How much if I might ask? It goes for $21.99 in the store closest to me, which isn't exactly close.

Did you drink this straight? I've read a few different places Westerhall is perhaps best served as a "mist" over lots of crushed ice.

What was the taste?

Yea, I paid $45 for it (bought it online, from your bud's over at Randalls.) I got that and D'Aristi 10 for $85. I was one-for-two.

[primate77]

Yikes! I was at Randall's two weeks ago and they didnt even have any Westerhall in the store that day, but $45??? I know they jack the prices slightly for on-line sales, but that's high, considering three other stores in Central Illinois I've been in all have it for $21-$22.

At $45 I can understand disappointment! Maybe at $21 it would have "tasted better"!

[RumBarPhilly]

The prices are definitely jacked for online sales. I remember seeing 10Cane for $53. Ridiculous!