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/pro...ame&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.

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.

[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.