Re: nice rums?
 

Never had it, but it comes from the same distillery as Zacapa and the original Zaya, probably a good indicator of quality.

Re: nice rums?
 

The best I have tasted is the Havana Club Barrel Proof.

Re: nice rums?
 

Went by Hi Time Wines today and grabbed a bottle of Zaya (Trinidad) and Zacapa 23. My first of either of these. Had the Zaya tonight with a Monte Edmundo. Boy, the Zaya is a vanilla-fest. It had a tag on it saying "The world's best sipping rum." Maybe so, but the truth is that to me the vanilla overpowered everything else. It reminded me of a vanilla rum my uncle used to drink in his rum and Coke. I will probably not have Zaya while smoking. It probably is a great sipping rum, just not with cigars, at least for me. Of course if you like vanilla then the Zaya would be right up your alley.

I did try the Zacapa 23 afterwards. Now that is more like it. So smooth and much more to my tastes. I am definitely no rum expert, but it was no contest. Zacapa 23 by a mile. :dr :dr

Re: nice rums?
 

Zacapa 23 is my favorite by far. I also like Pyrat XO - its made by the same people who make Patron Tequila.

Re: nice rums?
 

Pyrat XO I liked at first, however, now I taste so much orange in it that it's like I'm drinking Gran Marnea (sp?).

Now Cask 13 is a whole nother story.

Re: nice rums?
 

Yeah, I think Pyrat is very similar to Zaya in the sense that it has one dominant flavor. Except with Pyrat, orange is the dominant flavor instead of vanilla. But I don't think the orange is quite as overpowering in Pyrat as the vanilla is in Zaya so I like it much better. Either way, I like the overall balance of Zacapa 23 over both.

Re: nice rums?
 

Trinidad Zaya sucks compared to the old stuff from Guatemala. I've had them side by side, and I don't notice the vanilla anywhere near as much in the Guat version, which is also appreciably smoother than the Trinidad version. I'm very disappointed with how they screwed up this once top notch rum. :(

Re: nice rums?
 

I have a rum question for you rum aficinados. I am about to have a friend (over seas) sending me a bottle of zacapa 23 (not avileble her), the cost (shipping included) would be the same as a bottle of el dorado 15 would cost me at the shop her at home.. It seems that both the zacapa and the el dorado are nice rums when reading your posts. Should I go for the zacapa (with the extra hassle with overseas shipping) or would the el dorado be a as good choice as the zacapa?
The plan is that he would send me a bottle of Elmer T. Lee bourbon at the same time. For thoose of you that also like bourbon, is this a good choice, given the price?
Thanks (in)mates:tu

Re: nice rums?
 

To me, the Zacapa 23 would be worth the trouble. But I am not an aficionado nor have I ever had the El Dorado. The Zacapa 23 is GOOD. Not only does it put the other rums I've had to shame (which, admittedly, is not a ton), it puts many other spirits to shame. While I like variety, I find myself constantly wishing I had poured the 23 whenever I have something else.

Re: nice rums?
 

I just got a bottle of this last month. I haven't cracked it open yet, but I sure am looking forward to it.

Re: nice rums?
 

I've heard Pyrat is RANK!

Re: nice rums?
 

I've heard the Pyrat Cask 23 is actually quite good. But at $240.00 a bottle, the term "good" becomes very subjective.



Review:
http://scottesrum.com/category/all-r...pyrat-cask-23/

Re: nice rums?
 

Does that mean I have no class if I like Pyrat XO Reserve quite a bit? Its currently my top rum. I recently picked up a bottle of Appletons Master Blenders Legacy I think....its 30 yrs old. But, for a $100 CDN bottle of rum, it wasn't as good as I was expecting.

That said, I was introduced to Legendario Elixur recently. When I find that, it will spend some time as the TOPS for me.

Re: nice rums?
 

Cask 23 is very good, much different than the XO.

Re: nice rums?
 

Who implied you had no class? I didn't see that.


Like cigars, taste in rums can be very subjective from person to person. Drink what you enjoy!:tu

Re: nice rums?
 

http://www.shoppersvineyard.com/img/...ages/03277.gif

My wife recently gave me a bottle of this, Vizcaya VXOP Cask No. 21. I had never heard of it before and she was turned on to it by one of the guys where I normally buy my rums. It is agricole, made from pure sugar cane and fermented in old oak bourbon barrrels. I like it. It has some spice up front and plenty of the sweetness on the finish that I like, others may not like as much, in a sipping rum. I'll give it a thumbs up and will buy it again.

Re: nice rums?
 

I didn't take any offense, I was just turning his argument into a "straw man" for purposes of having fun.

Cheers

John

Re: nice rums?
 

Silly Canadians :r

Re: nice rums?
 

Haven't had the Zacapa, but I've had a couple bottles of El Dorado 12, and do like that a bit. There is not a lot of difference between the 12 and the 15, at least not that I had tasted, so either would be a good investment, IMO.

Re: nice rums?
 

I'm very new to the rum scene (within the past month) and have been drinking a fair amount of Flor de Cana 7, 10 Cane, and Pyrat XO. Can anybody tell me how Pyrat Pistol differs from the XO?

I'm very excited that I've "found" something new to drink. My bank account does not feel the same.

Re: nice rums?
 

I've tried the Pistol and am not a fan of it as a sipper. It was very sweet and had a citrus taste to me. It tasted like it belonged on ice cream as a topping and not as an asult beverage in my mouth. Just my opinion on it. Wish I could compare it to the XO. maybe some time later.

Re: nice rums?
 

I can't tell a difference. I've tried 'em side by side, both have heavy notes of orange/citrus and are fairly sweet.

Re: nice rums?
 

Had some Zacapa 23 (not the fully wrapped bottle) last night. A great rum, and likely what will replace Zaya for me. Smooth and warm, carmely taste is what I got from it.

Re: nice rums?
 

I like the Pyrat Pistol for Rum and Coke's.

I like Zaya for sipping.

I am a total newb when it comes to Rum, so take that for what it's worth.

Re: nice rums?
 

IMO, the new Zaya definitely has more vanilla taste and is a bit sweeter. The old had much less vanilla, less sweet, but had more taste if that makes any sense. More dimensions if you will. I preferred the old in a side by side test, but like both very much.

Re: nice rums?
 

Alright, the birthday money has started in, yesterday I got a bottle of Sailor Jerry and Appleton Estate Extra 12 year.

Today, I'm about to order a bottle of Zaya and RZ23. I think that'll hold me for a while.

Re: nice rums?
 

I am going to have to read this thread when I have my laptop. Having been to Barbados we buy Mount Gay

Re: nice rums?
 

Many private fishing boat trips to the islands in my life and I stick with the native choice Cruzan. I spend big $ on Single Malts and Cigars but hang with the Cruzan availble in TX at Specs for around $15/1.75 L In fact just got out of the pool after a few Cruzan & Cokes chasing a nice Comacho! Life Is Good!

Re: nice rums?
 

and I just picked up a bottle of Pompero from a local place

I'm done buying hooch for a while

Re: nice rums?
 

Got my vote!

I've killed a bottle or two myself over the years...

Re: nice rums?
 

You've said that once already ;)

Once the rum bug bites, you're done. Don't fight it, just go buy more :D

Re: nice rums?
 

but now I'm really done... but I want to find some Averna locally, and I might pick up some Campari

Re: nice rums?
 

I might pick up a Cruzan or two tomorrow:tf

Re: nice rums?
 

got the Cruzan coconut and Blackstrap :D

and maybe a bottle of Appleton Estate Reserve...

Re: nice rums?
 

Never tried the Blackstrap, been meaning to though. If you've got a bottle of Gosling's Black Seal, how does it compare? If you don't... go get one ;)

Re: nice rums?
 

Got this directly from the Brugal factory

Re: nice rums?
 

I don't have a bottle, I might get one down the road :D

but the blackstrap is excellent, Moooolassess

Re: nice rums?
 

Gosling's is the only way to make a Dark N Stormy. In fact that reminds me, maybe I'll have one. :dr

Re: nice rums?
 

Found a bottle of Zaya Guat at a liqour store nearby!

Re: nice rums?
 

I finally found some ginger beer in town, at World Market.

it's Bundaberg from Australia. tonight I'll try an off-label dark and stormy

Re: nice rums?
 

Lucky bastige!!!

Re: nice rums?
 

Black Seal I like - have a couple bottles of it, and don't think you can compare the two against each other.

Black Seal - I like to call it a "hearty" rum. It's very unusual to me in the world of rums. Straight or mixed - it gives you two distinct tastes as if it was two different rums. Also keep in mind, if you've never seen a bottle of it, that the bottle itself is actually clear and not black!

Black Strap on the other hand left me with a please God - remove my tongue from my mouth and I'll go to church everyday and twice on Sunday.

Seriously - Black Strap tasted like it was distilled in old pig gut barrels with bridle straps cut from a dead horses ass tossed in for flavor.

Took four shots of Flor de Cana 12 year to cut the taste from my mouth.

Could just be me though - my friend Bob tried it and seemed to enjoy it. So either I'm way off base or he has a hankering for dead horse butt.


Ron

Re: nice rums?
 

I compared my Appleton Estates today (Reserve and Extra 12)

the Reserve was so much smoother, and slightly sweeter. the 12 year has a strong alcohol burn/kick at the end. I don't think I'll be drinking the 12 year unmixed, the reserve however seems to be good with a couple ice cubes

Re: nice rums?
 

:tpd: on the Ron Matusalem

I don't know whether to thank Ron or curse him for introducing me to this one. Zaya is great, and still probably my favorite, but Matusalem is such a great value at the price here, $26.

Re: nice rums?
 

Did a quick review of my three sipping rums: Zaya, RZ23 and Pampero
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...u/IMG_0046.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...u/IMG_0047.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...u/IMG_0048.jpg

And...
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...u/IMG_0049.jpg


I liked the Ron Zacapa the best, sweet, but not artificially so, and very smooth.

2nd was the Pampero, less sweet than the RZ, and with an oaky hint, also quite smooth

3rd was the Zaya. I was most excited about this one, I love vanilla, and everyone says this has it in spades. Well it does, but it was the least smooth, and had the most alcohol bite. It was still good, but I think it will reside in the freezer.

Re: nice rums?
 

I've heard similar things, seems to be a love it or hate it kinda thing, with more people in the 'hate it' camp. I'm a big fan of Black Seal, and most of Cruzan's other rums, had high hopes for Blackstrap. Oh well.

Great notes on those three, I agree with everything except the ranking. I'm partial to Pampero because it's less sweet and more 'oak-y'. I don't remember a 'bite' from Zaya though, especially served with an ice cube, guess I'll need to refresh my memory :al

Re: nice rums?
 

Yep. I was looking forward to it myself. Not a fan obviously. You know after my year off from any spirits (due to medical problems) - Black Seal was my first rum choice when I was able to resume - :tu

He didn't say if he was tasting the Trinidad or the Guatemalan version. In a recent side by side of the two I did notice a slight bite in the Trini version.


Ron

Re: nice rums?
 

:fu Hey, I'm not an enabler - just making you aware of various products out there - :D

Love that Matusalem!


Ron

Re: nice rums?
 

It's the Trini version, and the bite wasn't bad, but it was present. But whoever said it tastes like vanilla extract smells was dead on.

the aftertaste is like pure adams extract on the palate, which I find enjoyable

Re: nice rums?
 

I'm revisiting the Zaya, with multiple ice cubes this time, and am not experiencing any bite. Just pure drunken vanilla... I likey