Re: nice rums?
 

which Zaya do you guys prefer? Guatemalan or Trinidad?

Re: nice rums?
 

GUATEMALAN!!!

Had them side by side and there was noticably more bite in the Trini version. And had too much vanilla for my taste.

Re: nice rums?
 

My current favorite is Zacapa 23, but after all the high praise, I intend to find a bottle of Zaya when I get home from this desert.

The only bottle in my collection that hasn't been mentioned is Seven Fathoms. It is currently only available in the Cayman Islands and is well worth trying if you can get your hands on it. The strong oak flavors are slightly reminiscent of a good bourbon. I am more stingy with this stuff than I am my pre-Patron Planters Gold Pyrat XO Reserve.

Re: nice rums?
 

These were dropped off at the house the other day. Nummy Nummy.
http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/w...dy4/New019.jpg

Re: nice rums?
 

Scott, I certainly hope you tipped your delivery driver....very impressive "drop-off" to me! :tu :tu

(Oh, next time you see him, tell Bobby I said hey!)

Re: nice rums?
 

Unless you're going to try to find the Guatemalan version, don't bother. Zacapa is better than the Trini Zaya.

Re: nice rums?
 

Which ever is available, most likely Trini. I think for changing locations they were able to maintain an amazingly high level of consistancey between the two blends :2 and fwiw, the Guat Montecristo is the best rum I've had from that distillary.

Re: nice rums?
 

My parents were on Grand Cayman this summer, brought me back a bottle of Seven Fathoms, and Havana Club. They actually brought 3 bottles of Seven Fathoms back, and managed to get two different batches. There's a noticeable difference between batch 9 and batch 10. If I remember right, 10 was the first batch with a new still. Since it's a small shop, there's room for that sort of variance from one lot to the next. I think that makes it even more interesting. Which lot is your bottle from?

In other rum news, I spent the weekend in St. Pete, FL and came home with a bottle of Barbancourt Grand Reserve, Prichard's, and Centenario rum. Tasted all three side by side, at room temp, neat.

Centenario tastes a lot like Zacapa 23. Haven't tried 'em side by side yet, but not sure I'd tell the difference otherwise.

Prichard's is quite good, especially since it's a Tennessee rum. Has a bit more barrel flavor, almost like a hint of Bourbon. I like the 'toasty' rums better than 'sweet' rums, so at first taste I put this above Centenario. Might improve with a tiny piece of ice, but not bad neat.

The Barbancourt is the loser of the bunch. It wasn't all that great, definitely not on par with the other two. Needs another try though, maybe on ice.

Re: nice rums?
 

I tend to agree with this, other than the vanilla taste in the new version. The old version was a bit smoother, but if I don't compare side by side, only the vanilla stands out as a difference.

Re: nice rums?
 

I don't know. The bottles are patiently sitting on a shelf waiting for my return from this desert. What did you think of the "underwater rum?"

I also have a bottle of Havana Club that has been in a closet since I brought it home in 2002. I really need to crack the seal on that one.

Re: nice rums?
 

I like the 'underwater rum'. Pretty smooth, clean, not too complicated, not sweet, fits what I like to call the 'spanish-style' rums, i.e. rums from Spanish-influenced islands like Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, etc. I'd love to see this rum aged a bit longer, I usually like a little more barrel flavor in my rums and it could stand to smooth out a bit.

Seven Fathoms is a good rum, but I like the Havana Club better. I've got the HC7, tastes a lot like what I would hope Seven Fathoms would taste like after 7 years in oak, a bit smoother, more wood flavors, etc. What're you waiting for, crack that bottle!

Re: nice rums?
 

Having some Ron Anejo Anneversario right now. I definitely rank this as my least favorite. Still good but rather have something else :td

Have to go 1. Ron Centenario 2. Zacapa 3. Zaya 4. Anneversario

Re: nice rums?
 

After reading through this thread and tasting it at the Philadelphia Whiskey Festival I picked up a bottle of Zacapa 23. Wow...outstanding stuff. I didn't even know I liked rum, guess I just had to try a good one! :r Thanks to all contributors to the thread. :tu

Re: nice rums?
 

Bounty rum from St. Lucia!

Re: nice rums?
 

For something on the relative cheap I really like Appleton Estates... But if I have the scratch its always a bottle of Ron Matusalem.... Yum!

Re: nice rums?
 

Rhum Barbancourt is another good modestly priced rum. I always add a few drops of water to take away a little of the bite.

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...42587_1445.jpg

Re: nice rums?
 

Both bottles are Batch 006.

Re: nice rums?
 

Just found this thread, but my favorites are

1. El Dorado 21 Year
2. Diplomatico
3. Zacapa
4. Matusalem

Re: nice rums?
 

Every time this thread gets bumped, I get thirsty. I asked Santa for a bottle of Vizcaya, anyone else got rum on their list?

Re: nice rums?
 

A couple weeks back, I had some Ron Botran, which I thought was quite good. :) If I were getting anything, I'd have it there! (the wife and I have agreed not to buy each other presents for Christmas this year)

Re: nice rums?
 

Newest acquisitions:

http://www.hitimewine.net/istarimage...4045-11145.jpg
http://www.hitimewine.net/istarimage...1104-11146.jpg
http://www.hitimewine.net/istarimage...!1104-6566.jpg

Re: nice rums?
 

Looks good! What's that top one, I can't quite read the label?

Re: nice rums?
 

I hate this thread.

Re: nice rums?
 

RON MILLONARIO 15YR

http://www.hitimewine.net/istar.asp?a=6&id=167889!4045

Re: nice rums?
 

"Aromas of prune, allspice, dates, nutmeg, cloves, balsam, Demerara sugar and dried-fig build to also show caramel, candied tree fruits, maple, butter toffee and molasses—each carving a marvelous invitation to taste. The palate is full with treacle, sweet tea, Lazarakia, mince tart, Panettone, Marzipan, toffee bathed in a lovely sweetness that washes the palate but maintains a clean, salient limpidity. The simple mouth-feel reveals dried fruits, caramel, fig custard, sultanas and butterscotch. All this leads to a solid finish, with lovely balance that articulates in a gentle fade that is rich with excellent palate activity. "

Wow. When did Cigar Aficionado start writing rum descriptions? Candied tree fruits...mince tart... Lazarakia... what the hell is all that crap?

Re: nice rums?
 

A friend recently gifted me a Cruzan Black Strap rum.
Made with molasses & Oh! so good. Definitely recommend this one.

Re: nice rums?
 

http://www.hitimewine.net/istarimage...!1104-6566.jpg

Kelly, I'm not all that familiar with Flor de Cana rums, but I brought a bottle of the 18yr to the Shack this year and wasn't really that impressed to be honest... (that said, it did disappear pretty quick ;)) I was drinking mostly Diplomatico & Pampero Aniversario at the time and found the FdC 18yr to be rougher and much 'hotter' (for want of a better descriptor) on the palate. I picked mine up locally for a similar price to HTW, but won't be buying it again any time soon. I hope you have a better experience.

Re: nice rums?
 

Only because it makes me drool.
:dr:dr

Re: nice rums?
 

A friend turned me on to a sale on the RZ XO, so I figured since Zacapa 23 is my favorite now (along with Centenario), I should try the premium stuff while it's a bargain...hopefully it gets here ny New Years. :dr

I do find the description of flavors on the vendor website rather amusing, although not quite as over the top as the one Mark posted for the Ron Millonario.

Re: nice rums?
 

Where is the sale at Tom?

Re: nice rums?
 

Here ya go, Darrell. :D

http://shoppersvineyard.com/1/56119/...A-ESPECIAL-RUM

Re: nice rums?
 

They have a nice selection of rums there, Tom. I just spent a few minutes perusing and there are a few premium looking rums that look interesting. I need to go to the Ministry and do some research, evidently.

Re: nice rums?
 

Anyone actually taste the Ron Zacapa XO and can say how it compares to the Ron Zacapa 23 Anos? For my money that's my favorite, and the smoothest of all I think...how does the XO compare?

Re: nice rums?
 

I can't speak from experience...yet. But I understand it is a little less sweet, and more complex. Hopefully I review it from experience in a few days.

Re: nice rums?
 

I haven't opened my bottle of the RZ XO yet. Waiting for Tom to show up on the patio. :)

Re: nice rums?
 

That an invite? :D

Re: nice rums?
 

Always brother

Re: nice rums?
 

I like the 23 best, but at 37 to 44 a bottle.....its hard (& $$) to keep at lot of it on hand to drink daily
Zaya 12yr makes a great everyday rum at only about 27 to 33 a bottle

not that I like rum or know what I'm talking about

Re: nice rums?
 

for about 23 dollars the Appleton Estate Reserve is a nice sipper

Re: nice rums?
 

:D

Re: nice rums?
 

Picked up some Ron Pampero Anejo in a leather bag today. Will post some sort of review later. :)

Re: nice rums?
 

Dave ESQ is coming over tonight for a smoke, think I will break open the Zacapa XO and give it a shot. :)

Re: nice rums?
 

Cruzan Single Barrel < Zaya, by far.

Re: nice rums?
 

Depends what you like. I'm a fan of both, but they're different styles, apples and oranges really. CSB is cheaper though :D

Re: nice rums?
 

Tried the Zacapa XO...smoothest rum I have ever had. Not as sweet as the Zacapa 23, and a perfect complement for a cigar. :tu

Re: nice rums?
 

OK, have tried the Black Seal, and it is tasty. Was given a bottle of Brugal Anejo by a brother on the board and have enjoyed a bit of that.

Now, here's the dilemna. I tasted the Zaya, wanted to get some of my own. So, I've been looking for some Zaya & Ron Zacapa, but noplace nearby (within an hour drive) has them.

I did find a bottle of the Pyrat XO for $26 so I snagged that and had some with an Oliva Connecticut Lonsdale today - very nice pairing. I kind of like the citrusy notes in this rum.

Re: nice rums?
 

Hitimewine.net normally has both and will ship to your state. They are a real brick & mortar retailer and not virtual.
(I have no affiliation with said vendor)

Re: nice rums?
 

Thanks. They have some very nice prices there. If I had not bought the bottle yesterday...

I have bookmarked it and will get back there at a later date.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

Re: nice rums?
 

Me too, but I hate the vanilla notes in the new Zaya. Funny how things work.

Re: nice rums?
 

Zaya is a good everyday rum for me (beats the hell outta mosts)
Zappa 23 or Centenario XX for special events/herfs/when I feel like something better
(none of above as mixers, straight up only)