Kirk and Sweeney Gran Reserva

Kirk and Sweeney has changed their branding names. This replaced the 18 year old. Under the old naming 51% per cent had to be of the aging on the bottle. This is not a requirement under the new designation. As with all Kirk and Sweeney this batch designated and will change from batch to batch. I found this similar to the 18, but a not quite as good. I still gave it an 8 as it is still a good sipping rum. It has great brown sugar fragrance, some sweetness. As this is aged in French Oak bourbon barrels, there is a slight smokiness to it. It does have a slight peppery and sharp finish. There are wonderful hints of vanilla. Note: this is not a rum you pour and drink. It needs to age to get rid of the alcohol sharpness.

I have no idea how the much-rated version of the 18y tastes here. Instead, I just got a Gran Reserve and it's hard to evaluate or compare. The taste is very specific, but I don't like it very much. In addition, the round bottle takes up a lot of space. I do not recommend.

Netuším, jak chutná zde tolik hodnocená verze 18y. Místo ní jsem právě dostal Gran Reserva a těžko hodnotit, nebo srovnávat. Chuť je velmi specifická, ale moc mi nechutná. Kulatá láhev navíc zabírá moc místa. Nedoporučuji.

K&S have abandoned their 12, 18 and 23 year old rums replaced them with Reserva, Gran Reserva and Gran Reserva Superior, but with the exception of the Gran Reserva, they now appear to be reluctant to state their age. The GR is a blend of between 5 and 20 year old rum, so must replace the 18 year old. It is definitely a good tipple, but is being sold for the price of the old 23 year old and the Superior is being sold for around 50% more. Unless I’m missing something, I assume the reason they have changed their names was to increase their prices. I can’t comment on the comparison of this rum with the 18 year old, but it’s not to the standard of the 23 year old, despite the price. If the cost is not important, it’s definitely worth a try, but I doubt I will buy another bottle unless they reduce the price.

Nice, smooth, no aftertaste, very balanced, quite oak flavored

I was surprised that I did not enjoy this as much as the 18. It was more barrel wood taste which I do not care for.

Bitter rancid taste with a medium burn, overly woody and sweetness is off. Not a fan of dominican rum other than Opthimus so +1 if you are

Caramel spicy aroma; sweety milk chocolate, caramel with cinnamon touch; tail absent

Vanilla, caramel, and toffee with a hint of peppery spice! Balanced and well rounded.

Tasted at Kill Devil Rum Club at Laka Lono 8/9/22
They admit to adding caramel color. Are you kidding??
Aroma: marshmallows
Taste: Loud, too loud.
Strange aftertaste. Odd.

This one isn’t nearly as good as the “23”. Disappointing.