Rum Tastings multiple rums


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Jimmy Cliff avatar image
Jimmy Cliff (PREMIUM) 🇺🇸 | 495 ratings Author Posted 3 Jan '22

I'm really enjoying rum tastings from groups of rums over just rating tasting one rum. I recently paired and tried three Admiral Rodney rums & Abuelo finishes. Tonight I'm pairing Don Pancho 18, Zafra 30 from same distillery, and big daddy Don Pancho 30, twice the price of Zafra 30.

First of all everything neat. Don P 18 have had it many times great rum in the under $100 range, Zafra 30 no comparison, so smooth with long lingering sweet flavor, Don P 30 is very silky smooth easy to drink but 40% not showing me what a 30 year old rum should be. The little brother seems to be winning this round. The Zafra 30 moves closer to the Don P 30 smoother and more lingering flavor than the DP 18. My pallet is not finding the finish from $80 Don P 18 to $400 bottle Don P 30. Im giving it another go. OK final results, yes the DP 30 you could easily just drink the entire bottle with a friend, but for a solid great rum based on price value to DP 18, the Zafra 30 is a great top shelf rum for special occasions but still at 40%. DP 30 a once in lifetime purchase for me unless picked off auction under value like I did, super smooth in all categories except value. 

i really enjoy doing the rum tastings with like minded friends better that rating a single selections alone. 

vomi1011 avatar image
vomi1011 🇩🇪 | 403 ratings Replied 3 Jan '22

I think the same way. Don Pancho 30 is too expensive but a good rum and too smooth for me. And Zafra 30, if it's like the Zafra 21 would be also too smooth for me, I don't prefer bright aromas.

Ron Artesano has a very good Panama rum, that can beat DP30. It has more power and a nice wine finish:

https://www.wein-riegger.de/el-ron-del-artesano/ron-artesano-24-yo-53-9-vol-panama-rum-cask-strength.html

Rene Rum avatar image
Rene Rum (PREMIUM) 🇨🇭 | 547 ratings Replied 3 Jan '22

I always taste and describe a rum alone and in complete silence. Usually only one, only so I can get involved in the rum and listen to him what story he tells me. 

But also enjoy it a few times a month to sit together with my buddies, drink a glass and discuss about delicious rum. Once a year I do a bigger thing with my guys, BBQ and about eight different rums.

Jimmy Cliff avatar image
Jimmy Cliff (PREMIUM) 🇺🇸 | 495 ratings Author Replied 4 Jan '22

Rene, when I get a new rum I alsolike to rate it by itself. My fun is after solo sampling is doubling back months or a year later with a friend or two and sample 4 Foursquare's side by side, or in this case Don Pancho. it's a lot of fun I then compare to my original ratings. 

Jimmy Cliff avatar image
Jimmy Cliff (PREMIUM) 🇺🇸 | 495 ratings Author Replied 25 Jan '22

I've been looking forward to this since I got my bottle of Real for Christmas. Side by side with 30. The 30 not much scent sugary smooth, very nice if you like sweet rums. Finding it a bit too sweet for my pallet tonight. Also note it's a Solara 30 that doesn't excite me for the price, but in small print I see the Real states the same. Now the Real, similar depth on the nose maybe slightly more pronounced. Both 40%, so no special cask strength going on, but the Real has a more pronounced vanilla taste and considerable more lingering flavor. 

Both are exceptionally smooth with considerable depth, I would bet added sugars to each, which would be a shame. Similar to Ron Millonario XO with added depth. These are both solid 10 rums slightly different but I want to research the hydrometer tests for sugars. Well worth sampling given the opportunity but an expensive special rums for special occasions or guests.

The Real comes out way on top with the depth and lingering flavors versus the 30 that is slightly better than Milanario XO with more barrel taste. 

Jimmy Cliff avatar image
Jimmy Cliff (PREMIUM) 🇺🇸 | 495 ratings Author Replied 25 Jan '22

I'm compelled to move forward with another two exceptional rare rums side by side. No Solara aging here, Appleton Joy 25 years old and Appleton minimum ages 30 years old, no Solara aging. I'll start with Joy nice scent of Appleton on the nose of both 30 slightly more pronounced. Joy 45% everything you expect from aged Appleton and more, slight Jamaican funk lingers but very smooth. While the 25 shares more hints of the 12 this goes way beyond with oak and barrel notes.

Ok now the 30 also 45% I can't even begin to explain the difference night and day, this is so much more, depth, flavors, I'm overwhelmed and need to break this down. First of all this might be the finest rum I have ever tasted. The oak and depth of this rum blows away every Foursquare rum I have had, that's 90% of them. The full body lingering depth goes beyond any of the 350+ rums I've rated. Don't waste your money on Joy 25 try to find a bottle of 30. I'm actually blown away.