A great 12 year old Demerara rum from El Dorado. This has won golds at the Caribbean Rum Taste Test in London 7 times in the first 10 years! There are nine stills at the distillery, and this is based around coffey still rum, and double wooden pot still rum.
Sweet, toffee, vanilla, spices, oak. Hints of smoke.
Cocoa, caramel, prunes, spices, vanilla.
Long, sublimely smooth, hints of smoke on the tail.
Am more of a whiskey drinker, but do appreciate the odd rum. This was my first more premium rum, as before my go to rums were supermarket offerings such as woods and mount gay. Reading the reviews I was really expecting a step up expecting perhaps what Redbreast 12 might be to a standard supermarket offering. However, the rich colour is the only nice thing about it. It does not possess a rich or unctuous mouthfeel, and has a harsh burn with little flavour. The finish is short and although I would not say it’s rough I would compare it to a cheap whyte and mackay like scotch. When this costs 50% more than woods old navy and manages to be harsher despite woods having a nearly 50% higher abv, I knew this was not money well spent. The overriding flavour was burned sugar (not in a good way) and the taste of alcohol. It may just be this batch, but needless to say I was disappointed. I am no expert on rum, however I feel that El Dorado is more preoccupied with chasing impressive age statements than making a well balanced and tasty rum, and I must admit that as a whiskey person I was drawn to the 12 year statement. Having had a look at the science, over a decade in a barrel can actually have a detrimental effect on spirits made in the Caribbean, as rums often reach their peak after 8 years in a cask. Despite all this, this is off one bottle, and I am probably wrong judging by the 4.5 star review on MoM. I will still polish the bottle off although it definitely will not be one to remember.
I've been drinking rum for decades now and never tried this wonderful rum. I know. He, he. This is simply a smooth best friend as far as rum goes. I love the warmth and satisfying glow it gives you glass after glass. Perfect.
Beautiful rum. So so easy to drink. Very smooth and not too sweet. A lovely balance between sweetness and spice. Well worth the money. Very happy customer. Need to be careful not to finish it in one sitting :D Highly recommend!
This is the best rum I have ever tasted. So good that I have purchased another as bottle. Very good value for the price.
By far the best rum I've tasted. So smooth, lovely flavour and easy to drink neat. The bottle is already half gone after just a few days but I mustn't dwell because I'll be buying another very soon!
