White, dark or spiced, there’s something for everyone when it comes to enjoying a good bottle of rum. As a brand, Banks is all about exploration. From its name, which comes from the 18th-century explorer and botanist Sir Joseph Banks, to its offering, which combines more than 20 rums of different ages from Trinidad, Jamaica, Guyana, Barbados, and Indonesia. In the “Sistema Solera”, art and tradition encourage the blending of rums of different ages and personalities so that they may continue to mature in select barrels. This dynamic and artisanal process culminates only after the complexity of aromas and flavors confirm that unique, mature rum has been created” Ron Zacapa is cleverly marketed by Diageo as “Sistema Solera” which whilst a perfectly legitimate method of producing rum, immediately leads many to believe they are buying a rum that is 23 years old. This is something which is often frowned upon by rum connoisseur’s and reviewers. Personally, I have never bought a rum based solely on the age of the rum. I have of course bought an older expression, if for instance it is on sale and is less than the lesser aged rum but it is not something which I judge rum’s upon. There are rum’s in my cabinet which I rate very highly and I do not actually know how “aged” they are. The “Sistema Solera” method is described on the cardboard sleeve as…. In general, though, this is a very pleasant, very enjoyable rum with a very distinct presentation, gorgeous looking bottle with some extra flair of the Mayan petate band.

A sip of Appleton Estate’s 50 Year offers an explosion of taste on the palate with prominent notes of maple sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, honey, and a dash of licorice. Its finish is almost endless; a rich and luxurious sip that keeps on going. Now, I did do something that perhaps might be seen as... erm... wrong? But it works for me and always brings out more flavors in basically any spirit I'm enjoying.

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Hands down, the Ron Zacapa 23 is a cigar lover’s dream-come-true rum. Smoky, woody, lusciously sweet, velvety in texture, creamy in the finish. Me personally, I’d probably choose a Cameroon wrapped cigar.

A very darkly roasted mahogany brown color strikes the eye. As always, the color of certain spirits can be altered, since the usage of sugar caramel is quite common. However, the viscosity and the legs will always provide an indication of certain compounds and qualities of the spirit.

Top Spirits Content

The worldwide nature of this spirit made selecting the very best a challenge. We delved deep into the huge number of white, dark, and spiced rums to select the brands and bottles suitable for each and every occasion. Chosen to inaugurate the “Rum International Hall of Fame” in the “International Rum Festival 2003” in Canada. Havana Club is a famous brand and it’s popular for a reason: it’s a great all-rounder that has spirits for every occasion. The Arechabala family started their rum-making business in 1878 and registered the Havana Club name in Cuba in 1934. It’s an authentic brand that takes the title of “most awarded Cuban rum” with 27 medals in the last few years.

If you want to contrast and challenge your palate, I would recommend a fresher choice with citrusy top notes, like a key lime pie. Or you could alternatively consider pairing this with a freshly cut ceviche, where the tangy acidity perfectly matches with the rum. The Zacapa name, for instance, highlights the rum’s connections to the landscape: derived from Nahuatl (Aztec) language, meaning “on the river of grass”, and created in 1976 to commemorate the 100 th anniversary celebration of the foundation of the city of Zacapa. A lot of bottle swag is exactly that — swag, the final touches of branding. In other words, bizarro decoration from a marketing team groping at authenticity with kitschy regional signifiers. But the woven rings on Ron Zacapa 23 are the real thing. Another of Lorena Vásquez’s passion projects to showcase and financially empower local communities, the rings are made from dried palm leaves and hand-woven by local indigenous women in the petate-style of the Guatemalan Maya. The distillery developed a hybrid machete. Sip it neat or with one large ice cube to bring out other flavors of oak, vanilla, dried fruits, and a spicy touch of cinnamon and ginger. The long and smooth finish offers a hint of smoky marzipan. It’s an excellent all-rounder bottle for rum experts and novices alike, offering an adventure on the palate and plenty of complex aromas.

Finish

The "z" rums - Zaya, Zacapa, Zafra - as well as Diplomatico and others have led people to believe aged rums should be sweet and smooth, while drier genuine rums - Appleton 12 yr, Mount Gay extra old, Flor de Cana, Seales 10 yr, any agricole rhum - are more indicative of what rum SHOULD taste like in its unaltered state, but less appealing to most people's palates. Founded in 1749, Appleton Estate has spent centuries perfecting its distilling methods. It produces some of the most exceptional spirits in the world from its home in Jamaica, in the Nassau Valley. The unusual terrain of its home creates a spirit unlike any other, perfected using a combination of unique weather, soil, and geographic demarcation.

Its success is continued through its rum production, with plenty of awards under its belt. Diplomatico Rum Reserva Exclusiva is one of the brand’s mid-range offerings, combining a reasonable price with a huge mouthful of flavor. The bottle alone has won more than 20 awards, making it one of the world’s most-awarded rums.

Further Reading

No element of the process is rushed with the Facundo brand, from selecting only the highest quality sugarcane to perfecting the fermenting and distilling. Every offering comes complete with a distinct flavor profile, a bold blend of rums, and a guarantee of enjoyment.