Best $18 - $25 bottle of rum you've had?

[primate77]

Ok... figured this might have come up already, but I searched 7 pages deep and didn't see it. Also, I'm new to the forum so I apologize if this is re-hash!

I can't always spend $30+ dollars on rum, but I seem to like to go through it fast!!!

I'd like some ideas on what you folks think are some of the best value rums out there (available in a US store) in this price range? White or clear rums excluded!

I'd like some nice value for my dollar!

Thanks!

[bluewave6]

Good Topic...I am sure you will get a huge list of rums in this price range that are quite good. I will start:

under $18:
Don Q Anejo
Gosling Black Seal
Diplomatico Anjeo
Gosling Gold
Ocumare Anejo
Ron Abuelo 5 yr
Doorly's 5 yr
Botran 6 yr
Botran 8 yr

$18-$25:
Doorly's XO
Plantation Trinidad
Plantation Trinidad
Ron Abuelo 7 yr
Westerhall Plantation
Zacapa 15 yr
Botran 12 yr
Cruzan Diamond
Old Mill
Flor De Cana 7 yr
St James Ambre
Diplomatico Reserva
Diplomatico Exclusiva
Barcelo Imperial
Brugal Anejo
Bartillo 3 star
Bacardi Anejo (yes Bacardi..beleive or not)
Bacardi 8 (yeap another decent Bacardi)


I am sure I missed a bunch but as you can see there are quite a few good rums in this prce range. I would say that at least 70% of my collection of 80 different rums fall into this price range

[pcguy]

cruzan black strap retails in my area for $9.99 a bottle. thats a good value for rum to make mixed drinks with.

[RobertBurr]

excellent list bluewave6. In my neighborhood, I'd also have to include

Less Than $18
One Barrel
El Dorado 5
Coruba
Matusalem Clasico
Foursquare Spiced

$18-25
El Dorado 12 and 15
Botran 12
Appleton Reserve And Extra
Barbancourt 5 star
Cockspur Fine and 12
Cruzan Estate Diamond
Don Q Anejo
Prichard's
Santa Reresa Selecto and Gran Reserva

[The Rum Ambassador]

Hey, what's the exchange rate from dollars to pounds at the moment ? I want to add my pennies worth......?

[RobertBurr]

Originally Posted by The Rum Ambassador

Hey, what's the exchange rate from dollars to pounds at the moment ? I want to add my pennies worth......?

about US$2.01 to the pound (.497 pounds to the dollar today)

two to one is easy math.

[JMac]

El Dorado 12 year now on sale at Shoppers Vineyard for $19.99.....can't go wrong.

[primate77]

Hey... thanks all for the great suggestions! I am unfortunately land-locked on the flattest part of the earth in East Central Illinois where "fine wine" comes from a box! That should tell you something about the choices I have before me for fine rum!

However there is a Friar Tuck's beverage center not far from here, and they carry a pretty nice selection. I liked your lists! What I will do is head down there tomorrow, and scratch out a list of all they do offer in this price range, and put that before you, and see if we can come up with a "top five" list.

I like good rum, I hate wasting money, so from your keen experience, I'll be happy to take your recommendations.

I LOVE Angostura 1919, that is one of my favorites, but I can't find it here. Mount Gay XO is here, but above this price point.

I'll make my list and see where it goes! Thanks.

[Edward Hamilton]

Friar Tucks is a store that is trying to improve their rum selection. Your patience will be rewarded. Maxwell Street Trading is an Illinois distributor who is working hard to improve the spirits selection in Central Illinois. In the last year they've brought El Dorado, Cockspur and Martinique rhum agricole to your area.

[primate77]

Edward - you sir are a wealth of information! Yes, I noticed last week that they do have the Cockspur 12 year at Friar Tuck's. It kind of jumped off the shelf at me since I've had this rum before and found it to be one of my favorites, and thought it was interesting that it was on their shelf.

I'm looking forward to stopping in tomorrow to "take inventory" of what they do have in that $18-$25 range, there may be more "depth" than I think.

One thing is for certain, I am low on my Vanilla Rum (Cruzan) right now, and after seeing the comments on the flavored rums here, I'm inclined to give the Whaler's Vanille a try. I think I'll be picking some up for the weekend.