Kirk and Sweeney 23-Year

If you like a more dry harsh rum this is for you. A bit vapid and insipid. Not too many notes. More of an alcohol bite. A slightly harsh afterbite which would be unpleasant for some. But of course better than bacardi.

Found a bottle of this recently. It is thee best drink I've ever had. Let it breath for 15-20 minutes. It is similar to the 12 year old, which I reviewed as my "new go to," but the flavors are more incredible, it's smoother, and it is a beautiful rich mahogany color. It is slightly but not overly sweet. There are hints of oak, vanilla, tobacco, banana, and other fruits. I prefer it with ONE ice cube, which I won't call on the rocks, but giving full disclosure. It is hard to find, but if you can find it buy it. If I could have 3 oz of this every night I would consider myself in heaven.

Those who've read my other ratings know I am a big fan of the Kirk & Sweeney 12 Year - among the best rum values out there in addition to one of the best rums I've tried. I purchased the 23 Year recently and sampled it alongside the 12 Year, and my conclusion is that those who prefer a less-sweet rum with more "barrel character" should definitely seek out this edition. Makes sense right? But, to be clear, I find this rum has virtually all those other characteristics that make the 12 Year great - the buttery finish being my personal favorite. And once again, the price of this offerings makes it a great value. Well done!

This rum is great! Not much more expensive than the 12 year but it's worth it! Prefect balance of sweet and dry. I will be buying more of this soon!

Maybe I was a victim of high expectations, but to my palette this drinks much like the Three Sheets Barrel Aged. Maple comes through on the nose, as does a woodsy note - you can tell its spent some time in oak barrels. Has a nice, lingering finish, but IMO it lacks the complexity of the finer blends - I've come to think rums are like red wines in that their blends can assume an outcome greater than the sum of its parts. A perfectly fine rum that packaged beautifully and drinks fine neat, and like the TSBA, sings in a mai tai mix. But as it doesn't stand out much beyond the TSBA, it too gets an '8.'

I used the data base to help guide my purchaser of this rum and it leaves me wondering. While it does have a great nose, it does not finish well as I think it would for a 23yr. I thought that this would be a wonderful rum with a deceptive price point like Plantation 20th. Don't get me wrong, it's good. I was expecting more, however.

Does it ever get any better than this? I dare not give a 10 as I have yet to taste QRM 30 (and a lot other I expect to be in 10ish range) -so this one gets a 9

This has taken a place in the highest echelon of rums I own. Truly a fantastic rum. One of the first that flavors and smells are really jumping out in each nosing. I will be buying a few more bottles to put away. When people find out this is as good as it is it will be hard to find.

Vanilla, nutmeg, oak, and butterscotch and all for just a few dollars more than the 18yr.

This is a delicious rum from start to finish. Somewhat sweet with nice butterscotch tones to it. Does make my tongue tingle. This has joined Vizcaya VXOP & Plantation XO 20th Anniversary as my official sipping rums. I place this third in line because although I would be hesitant to use this in Coke Zero or as a mixer, the butterscotch and toffee undertones would really be an asset. So consider this a hugely delicious versatile rum.

This is the first rum that I have had that my first thought is tobacco. Very smokey and oaky. Great sipping rum on the rocks. I will look for this rum again.

It tastes like a single barrel, without that sweet blended texture. Great full flavor and easy to sip over just ice. Not as smooth as some blended rums, but I like that distinction. Probably the best value for a true 23 year rum.

This Rum is the perfect rum for sipping. I like it with just a few ice cubes after i let it sit and open up for a few minutes. It also went great with these specialty ginger ales we got. Would not hesitate to get another bottle of this.

Vanilla, cinnamon, tobacco, leather, citrus, banana, apricot, cherry. I don't find it much different from the 12yo, but it is smoother with a nice finish.

Sugar: 2 to 5 gpl. The 23 year old is sweeter, more complex and is a darker tone of mahogany than the 12 year old. The 23 has a lot more aroma and taste with a much longer finish. You can tell from the smell and taste that is has spent a lot more time in the barrel. Molasses, pecans, caramel, vanilla, and plums or apricots, are tastes and smells that I found. The surprising thing is that the 23 year old is just a few dollars more than the 12 year old, but. Skip the 12 year old and go for the 18 or the 23 year old version. Personally I prefer the 18 year old version.

I was super impressed by the Kirk & Sweeney 12 Year Rum, so I bought their 18 and 23 year rums. Those are even better! What's more impressive is that they are both primarily based on sugarcane (agricole), which I've never cared that much for before these. The 18 is pretty close to the 23 in taste; in fact they're almost equal. The 18 is just a bit sweeter, while the 23 tastes just a bit more aged (much like the difference between the El Dorado 15 and 21). I like both sweet and aged, so I'm torn between the two. I'll give the 18 a very slight edge over the 23, just like I give the ED 15 a very slight edge over the ED21. But I definitely believe they are both very good. Vanilla, sugarcane, caramel, nutmeg, oak, and just a hint of sherry. The nose is incredible. You've GOT to try these!