The benefits of writing detailed reviews

It's very useful to read a comprehensive reviev, especially for comparing tasting notes. And for the smartphones - well, the app version is extremely helpful when you drink away from home, like in bars or on tasting sessions. The more times I try the rum, the richer my review becomes, I think updating is the key to success. In my reviews I try to discuss the colour, nose, taste, aftertaste and overall experience. Sometimes I make a note on place I try the rum or its cost. Would you add anything to this list?

I rate and review rums on a ten point scale on the nose (aroma), palate, aftertaste / finish, versatility (how many different ways can you enjoy the rum? Does it play well in cocktails also?), smoothness (NOT sweetness but rather how does it feel in the mouth and going down the throat), and price in relation to quality. Then I add all those up and divide by 6. But I only do that after a comprehensive review of my full experience with the rum.

kudzey: Absolutely, "updating is the key to success"! The ONLY time that I wished that I had a Smart Phone was on my many trips 25 miles away to a well stocked liquor store. They often had new rums. If I had a Smart Phone, I could have pulled up reviews on that rum and decided whether or not to buy it. Instead, I would drive all the way back home with my repurchases and research that rum from my desk top computer. Sometimes, I would be glad that I left that new rum back on the shelf, but more often than not, I would wind up driving back over there to buy it. Oh well, it's only gas and mileage (and an excuse to get out of the house with music for the road). As for adding anything to your list, the sky is the limit. For example, I just brought home two bottles of Pussers Gunpowder Proof. Gee, that is a Proof halfway between Plantation OFTD & El Dorado 8. I will try a 50/50 mixture of those two and compare it side by side to the Gunpowder Proof, but not until after the big game in Green Bay this afternoon. I am rooting for the Rams to help the Saints out.

Mujuru: I just use Andy's very simple and accurate descriptions for each rating. Then I rank the rum overall because most of my ratings are 5 through 7. Very few wind up with my rating of 8 or more. Same goes for those that I rate less than 5.

Stefan: That is a very nice and well displayed collection that you have there. After my recent trip to Florida, I now have 41 bottles in my collection with more than half of them hidden away unopened in cabinets. This is the most that I have had in a very long time. If that bottle of Pusser's 15 Year is more than 4 months old, it probably tastes horrible due to it being a sugar bomb. My memories of sugar bombs going bad is why I no longer keep a large collection. I was always never one to be attracted to fancy bottles. The rum inside is all that counts. My all time number one rum happens to be in one of the nastiest bottles that sticks to one's fingers, Dictador XO Insolent. I finally get to open up my bottle of Zacapa XO on Wednesday!

Paul, Thank you! I myself am sometimes impressed by my own collection, probably one of the largest private collections at least in Sweden. Is your experience that its taste change even if it’s not opened? That’s not my experience. However, I must admit that I like a bit odd bottles and not least nice labels, I especially like labels with large sailing vessels on, but of course the content is the most important. Let's hope that nothing unpleasant happens on Wednesday, but that everything runs smoothly without any violence.

Stefan: As long as the bottle has never been opened, it would last theoretically forever. Once it becomes half empty, look out! Deterioration of sugar bombs (30-49 gpl of added sugar) is the worst. However, I found two dry rums that deteriorated badly, Mount Gay XO and Flor de Cana 18 Year. This was not supposed to happen! So now I have no reason to invest in a large collection, especially when each bottle does not remain closed for long. I also keep track of the date opened for each in my spreadsheet. In my Harley riding days, I would frequent bike nights. Many were shocked on how many high miles I had on mine. Most only rode a few miles to bike night each week to mentally masturbate over their bikes. I always told them to ride the damn thing! Same goes for rum. Drink it instead of looking at it. Well it's okay to look at bottles that have yet to be opened, but I keep my unopened bottles far and away from any sunlight.

Paul, We are on speaking terms! I use a rule I learned at a Cognac course long ago. The bottle represents one year. If you during the first opening drink 1/3 of the content you have 2/3 of a year to finish it. I also usually try to avoid having more than around ten bottles open at a time, to ensure that no one is left standing open for too long and I obviously make sure that my bottles are not exposed to direct sunlight. All my rum is bought to drink it would never occur to me to speculate in rum for resale.

Stefan: I have never had a cognac go bad. But then I have never kept a cognac for a whole year. It's halftime in the Divisional playoff. The winner gets thrown to the Packers next week. Some reward.