Gone But Not Forgotten Rums

[UnkleNeeko]

I am interested in the prevalence of discontinued rums, for example, those which are no longer produced like Zaya Gran Reserva from Guatemala or Planters Gold Pyrat XO Reserve, or others in the recent past you care to mention.

Do you still have these rums? And if so, what will you do with them?

[RonJames]

I've got a couple of bottles that I am saving for special occasions, and special people. Generally I open more expensive bottles with my family/friends, but only those bottles that despite the cost I can get. If its something that isn't made anymore or from a location that is next to impossible for me to obtain from again, then I generally try to open it with people who KNOW rum. For instance, opened up a bottle of bacardi reserva limitada (I fly to PR every year and its accessable) and made a small rum and coke with it for my mother for a celebration, everybody else sipped it. Now I did not open up my bottle of Guatemalan Zaya because they wouldn't have appreciated it, and because I wish to share it with a forum member that I know well but haven't met in person yet.

[Arctic Wolf]

I have one bottle of The Ron Zacapa 23 Anos, which may or may not be the same as the 23 Solera, which I am saving for the right moment. I also have several rare whiskies which are now unavailable, as well as a few single cask offerings that are sold out.

It must be just my peculiar nature, but I really do not care whether the people I share them with are connoisseurs or not. To me what matters is that they appreciate the effort. Last summer, I brought out a bottle of Single Cask Bunnahabhain 30 year old for two friends. Now these guys were not primarily Scotch drinkers, so the nuance of the spirit was maybe lost on them. But what was not lost was the ambiance of sipping something which was special. And yes both of them sipped it straight, then they added a touch of Sprite and enjoyed it thoroughly.

About a week later, these guys filled a pickup truck with firewood (I have an outdoor firepit) and brought it over just out of the blue. They hauled it and stacked it without asking help.

I never regretted sharing with these guys.

[Edward Hamilton]

Over the years, I've been given a number of bottles of rum which are no longer bottled. I generally open them and enjoy it, or not. I'll share this with friends who appreciate rum and/or other spirits.

I don't have the space to store a lot of spirits so I enjoy them when I have them and look for something else when I'm out.

[Ben]

I'm not a real collector in the sense of trying to get every bottle ever made, but I try to have the largest collection as possible.

The thing is I drink almost as fast as I can buy

Anyway I have a few bottles that are not available anymore, and let's say that while I'm not trying to hide them away, it makes the heart cringe a little more when I open the bottle.

[CorvallisCracker]

When I found out Cruzan was going from two years to 14 months, I went out and bought six bottles of the white. I'm about halfway through these.

I also have a bottle of the old Zaya. I'm slowly working my way through that.

[itsme_timd]

Being new to collecting I don't have much and have nothing that would be considered extremely rare. I have a bottle of HC7 that a friend from Canada sent me and for the moment that is my 'treasured' rum. I'd gladly share it with any of my friends who enjoy rum.

At this stage I'm enjoying learning what to look for and growing my meager collection.

[Jason]

I've stashed 2 bottles of the now old bottle of Mount Gay XO (even though it's still widely available here) since that will be unavailable soon. I also have stashed a bottle of Cockspur VSOR since I believe that's been discontinued. In the grand scheme of things these are low hanging fruit in collecting terms and I don't expect them to ever be worth anything. Mostly just for the novelty of it.

Most of the more expensive or harder to find (in this part of the world) rums I have I'm saving for special occasions or good friends, but not necessarily hoarding with the intent never to drink them.

Now if I bought something like Havana Club Maximo I'd likely never drink it. That'd be more of an investment, unless I hit the lottery and could buy another

[martybmccabe]

I have an unopened bottle of Cruzan Estate Diamond and a couple bottles of Inner Circle Red. Honestly, they'll get opened sooner or later...

[Calgaryx]

I found three bottles of Zaya Guatamala before they disappeared. I will keep them for special friends and special times.