Recommendation for 1st $100+ bottle of rum


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Beukeboom 🇺🇸 | 304 ratings Author Posted 18 Nov '15

There is a distinct possibility of something good happening to me soon and I would like to celebrate with my first-ever $100+ bottle of rum. Any suggestions? Keep in mind that I am residing in the northern part of Florida so choices of liquor stores are limited so it would have to be something that they either carry or can order from their distributors. It cannot be something unavailable in the U.S.
Earl Elliott avatar image
Earl Elliott 🇨🇦 | 236 ratings Replied 19 Nov '15

Well if you had a carte blanche then I would suggest you put Abuelo Centuria on the wish list. It's around the $140 price range. Similar but not as good is Ron Zacapa XO around $100. You could also put the El Dorado 21 on the list.
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Rob 🇮🇪 | 92 ratings Replied 19 Nov '15

Less conventional, but personally I would love to try Optimus 25 year old malt whisky finish. However, I have no idea how widely available it is were you are. Haven't tried El Dorado 21 or Abuelo Centurio yet, but these would also be great choices that I would consider. I've tried Mount Gay 1703 and Ron Zacapa XO which I both enjoyed very much, so these would be solid options too in my opinion. Cheers, Rob
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Beukeboom 🇺🇸 | 304 ratings Author Replied 19 Nov '15

Optimus 25 definitely isn't sold anywhere around here. Sounds like a good one to try.
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Beukeboom 🇺🇸 | 304 ratings Author Replied 19 Nov '15

Ron Abuelo is available in a few places around here but I do not think the Centuria is.
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Beukeboom 🇺🇸 | 304 ratings Author Replied 23 Nov '15

The local chain store (ABC Fine Wines & Spirits) usually has this in their locked "top shelf" cabinets and list it for a little over $115 (if memory serves me correctly). However I've been disappointed with what I've tried from Appleton Estate before.
Earl Elliott avatar image
Earl Elliott 🇨🇦 | 236 ratings Replied 23 Nov '15

Total Wines Florida stores carry the Abuelo Centuria at $149 which converts to $200 Canadian. The Appleton 21 is better than any of the other Appleton rums. It's dry but very smooth.
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Scott T 🇺🇸 | 122 ratings Replied 24 Nov '15

Taking a look at the top of your rated rums, it would seem you mostly like sweet rums, as most of your top-rated rums have between 25-45 g/ltr of added sugar. Appleton is one of the few unadulterated "premium" aged rums, and is of the high-ester Jamaican style sois dry and funky and not necessarily to everyone's taste. It is one of the generally accepted gold standard rums within it's style.
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Beukeboom 🇺🇸 | 304 ratings Author Replied 30 Nov '15

Thanks for the suggestion, Scott. I do have Appleton Estate 12 year and you are correct, it is not for everyone. I did not care for it straight up but found it does very well as a mixer. I believe at least a couple of the local liquor stores carry the more expensive Appleton Estate rums. Since the Appleton 21 has been recommended by more than one I may get a bottle of that anyway to try. If things go well I will try to post what celebratory rum I end up getting.
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Beukeboom 🇺🇸 | 304 ratings Author Replied 2 Dec '15

Really wish I could order rums online to be delivered. Illegal here in Florida.
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A.Greenleaf 🇺🇸 | 51 ratings Replied 2 Dec '15

Same here in Massachusetts. What I would go with is the Ron zapaca xo, el dorado 21 or the Abeulo centuria. As an off the beaten path suggestion, try two very different rums like a higher priced rhum agricole, and a sweeter Demerara rum.
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Scott T 🇺🇸 | 122 ratings Replied 3 Dec '15

Demeraran rums ( Actually any rums) are only sweet when they have sugar added to them. If you tried a demeraran run from a private bottler like samaroli you would find it drastically different from "premium rums" like ED 15. The sad thing is getting such a rum in its pure unadulterated form costs far more than buying the bottled rum old fashioneds most of these are
nomad avatar image
nomad 🇺🇸 | 137 ratings Replied 3 Dec '15

Beukeboom, can you order from instate locations? I know B 21 offers local delivery in the Tampa / Orlando area and I order from there regularly to me in LA.
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Beukeboom 🇺🇸 | 304 ratings Author Replied 3 Dec '15

Florida statutes are pretty finicky when it comes to ordering rums by mail. Shipping to Florida from outside the state is strictly prohibited and felony charges to the buyer AND seller. Within the state of Florida it is allowable as long as the seller has proper papers. According to the ABC Fine Wine & Spirits: "All online orders for beverage alcohol can be shipped to any business or residence in Florida via Federal Express and require an adult signature (21 years or older) upon delivery."
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Beukeboom 🇺🇸 | 304 ratings Author Replied 21 Dec '15

UPDATE: One of the local chain liquor stores had a box containing a bottle of Ron Abuelo Centuria. Expensive enough to talk it over with my wife before seriously considering buying it. We have learned through experience if you run across something hard-to-come-by and you can swing it, get it or else when you come back later it will be gone. So I got a bottle on the basis of many direct recommendations as well as a whole slew of great reviews. Apparently it had been sitting on that top shelf for quite some time since there was a thick layer of dust (thought about taking a Benadryl before taking the box out of the plastic bag). Haven't tried it yet. Definitely saving it for a special occasion. Possibly soon.
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Rob 🇮🇪 | 92 ratings Replied 28 Dec '15

Ron Abuelo Centuria is indeed a rum I would also like to try. I've recently purchased 2 100+ Dollar (local price) rums, but have not tried them yet: -St Nicolas Abbey 10 year old -Angostura No 1, the once used French cognac casks edition with the purple labeling, not the regular one with the red label. Am really looking forward to try them someday soon.
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zellrom 🇫🇷 | 24 ratings Replied 10 Jan '16

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Rob 🇮🇪 | 92 ratings Replied 7 Feb '16

Update on my previous post, got around is tasting the Angosture No1 Once French Oak Cask edition and really enjoyed it. Ordered a bottle of Rum Nation 21 Year Old Panama which I hope to try next weekend. Have very high hopes for that one! :)
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RedBlaze6 🇺🇸 | 26 ratings Replied 2 Apr '16

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RedBlaze6 🇺🇸 | 26 ratings Replied 2 Apr '16

Also, you may want to revisit the FL shipping rules. I also reside in FL and have had bottles sent from other states and from the UK. FedEx seems to be the only carrier that allows it. The packages are clearly labeled that they contain alcohol and require a signature. I usually pick them up at a FedEx store so I don't miss their delivery attempt. I have yet to be taken down by a SWAT team.
Andy avatar image
Andy (PREMIUM) 🇺🇸 | 142 ratings Replied 9 Apr '16

Hope the good thing that's supposed to happen does Beukeboom :) I think the 'logical' choice would be Zacapa XO if you're going over $100, but since so many folks try that one (and admittedly it's very good) I'd suggest something a little more rare if any of your local places carry some unique rums.
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Rob 🇮🇪 | 92 ratings Replied 23 Apr '16

Am currently considering 2 rums from Bristol Spirits: -Rockley Still 1986 Port cask finish -Caroni 1974 Has anyone here had both of them? If so, how would you compare them?
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A.Greenleaf 🇺🇸 | 51 ratings Replied 28 Apr '16

I have had both. The caroni is unlike any other rum out there. I was very disappointed when master of malt ran out of the Rockley still 1986, it is on my to own list. My suggestion is to get drams of each. taste is a funny thing I loved both of these but for very different reasons. The Rockley Still I consider one of the best rums I have ever put in my face and the Caroni is so different that I started buying Caroni's just to compare them to it.
Jagsroy avatar image
Jagsroy (PREMIUM) 🇨🇦 | 288 ratings Replied 20 Jun '17

Beukeboom! I'm fairly new to this rumratings site and read your post. I would suggest you try and acquire any of the St. Nicholas Abbey Rums from Barbados. They will set you back between $100-$200 per bottle but they are all worth it. And, by the way, none of them have any added sugar and they are so pure... I have an 8 yr and a 12 yr bottle and hope to someday return to Barbados to bring back a few more of their older offerings.
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YMHC 🇳🇱 | 162 ratings Replied 23 Jun '17