El Dorado 12-Year

Too much sugar for me, but if your into the smooth and sweet your going to like it. Think the opposite of funky dry Jamaican. If your idea of rum is a mixed cocktail but would like to have a sipping neat rum this is probably a safe bet.
Once was enough for me, I'll never buy it again.

It's no secret quite a bit of sugar is added to this one. As shown by more serious drinkers/reviewers and their hydrometer tests. Such knowledge will influence your judgement when drinking but luckily I tasted the El Dorado before reading about it. And yes, it is clearly overly sweet. Most of my drinking buddies agree. I think it aims to a part of the (novice) market that thinks rums should taste like this, because, after all, the stuff is made from sugar cane. If you are looking for a smooth, sweet rum you are better off with the Diplomatico Exclusiva or the Zacapa 23. I found the El Dorado 12 quite monotonous.

When opening the botlle you smell something sweet. It looks like the honeybee brought a fresh load of honey. At first you taste a sweet and strong rumtaste. When you hold the rum in your mouth the magic happens. The afterkick of the honey flavour is a experience to remember.

Prior to purchasing the 12-year old El Dorado I have bought the 15-year old. Having read many reviews with some people saying they prefer the 12 to the 15 I thought the two rums were at least en par.

The ED 12 tastes sweeter compared to the ED15, even though the ED 15 is supposed to have quite a bit more added sugar. The ED 12 is a pleasant rum on its own and given that it's reasonably priced, I can recommend trying it. You won't like it if you're not into sweet rums thoug

Compared to the ED 15, it's hands down just not as nice. The 15 is much more complex and has a lot more body to it.

Edit: It's best on the rocks.

Has some nice flavors but the absurd amount of added sugar masks what otherwise may have been good rum. El Dorado is notorious for sugaring their rums far beyond any reasonable standard...so who knows what this rum really tastes like, without the added sweeteners and coloring agents?

Aroma: Ve vůni mi jako nejvýraznější přijde kořenitost, a to hřebíček, ale s přechodem (při hlubším zkoumání) až celer, libeček, taková ta polévková kořenitost, skoro bujón.
Chuť: Chuť je fantastická, nejsladší ze zatím ochutnaných rumů, a vůbec mi ta krásná medová sladkost po rozinkách nevadila,takový nektar, který má zajímavé kořenité dokončení, opět se vkrádá hřebíček s celerem.
Body: 89

The smoothest 40% drink I've ever had. Always a treat. Tastes of dark caramel.

Little bit sharp. Not so balanced. Not bad, not excellent.

My review of the El Dorado 15 year old was actually a comparison with the 12 year old. I purchased this rum after reading another review suggesting it was even better than the 15 year old. I would say that my taste differs than that reviewer. I felt the 12 was much harsher on the palate and even the aroma was much harder on the nose. It is a nice rum but fails in comparison to the 15. I tried both neat and on ice. I would not even consider using the 15 in a mixed drink and would prefer not to use the 12 but it would be rhe more likely choice if I did.

Sugar: 35 gpl. Updated August 24, 2017.
This is a very good entry level sipper. It's sweetness, spice and smoothness is well balanced, and the strong oak and whisky-bourbon taste has grown on me in subsequent tastings. In comparison to the other aged El Dorado rums, I think the 12 year old has a better taste than the 15 year, but the 21 is their best so far for me. Keep in mind that the 21 Year old version is sweeter and you can buy 3 bottles of the 12 year old for the price of one bottle of the 21 year old, which makes the 12 Year Old a great value.