Kirk and Sweeney Gran Reserva Superior

This appears to be the replacement for the 23 year. It’s the top of the line for Kirk & Sweeney. I loved the 23 year. This version has a very good taste. Lots of flavor, vanilla is strong. The disappointment is the burn. Much harsher than the 23 year. I probably won’t buy this again, not much difference from the the others of the new Kirk & Sweeney line.

Slightly better than the Kirk and Sweeny Reserve, the Grand Reserve Superior has a certain amount of smoothness woth a burn on the back end. This sipping rum is likely to impress your friends because it far exceeds the more readily available mass market rums, but a true rum connoisseur will find thisbto be in the mid range or your $50-65 rums. Close, but not quite as good, as a Bumbo XO, and a ways off from a Santa Theresa or Plantation XO

There is something of a weird rubbery flavor to this one (I'd love to blame the cork but that is made of wood.) I'm not entirely sure how else to describe it. It has no burn or bite but a touch of light heat. It's a decently complex rum, has a good level of sweetness and is fairly delicious. It smells slightly sweet and delightful like caramel. Honestly, this is a great rum (probably a 9) barring the weird rubbery taste that I can't escape. Despite this flaw, it is still really good. I weirdly wish I could rate this a near 8 but 7 seems too low, so I am just rounding it up to an 8. Cheers!

Much harsher than the 23 year. As said in a previous review, I have to agree that there is a slight rubber flavor. Initially, I was hit with a woody flavor, then the bite. No burn going down. The rubber flavor lingers. Most likely will not purchase again. I loved the 23. This does not hold a candle to it.

I am a Kirk & Sweeney fan. This cannot touch the 12, 18 or 23 but it is still damn good, especially for just 4 years old. Nice balance for such a youngster. Some vanilla, clove and oak but no complexity. Thin, with a short finish. I was ready to give this a 6, maybe even a 5 until my girlfreind inexplicably made Chai tea. BINGO! This stuff was made for Chai tea. I didn't really like Chai tea. Pretty trendy and androginous but with this rum in it I may make this a daily routine. Awesome! Try it! Improves the Chai tea for sure but also makes this rum a superstar mixer. Perfect match.

Wow you spend years making a rum brand put out a good quality product and then change everything to a lesser standard that all your customers can tell. We’re not sheep, we are rum aficionados that distinguish the difference. This is the last bottle of K & S I will buy. PS I loved the older rope lined necks of the bottles.

Sampled at the Laka Lono Rum Club tasting on 8/9/22. reddish color Not as woody as Gran Reserva. Much more present aromatic notes. Sherry, vanilla, marshmellows. Fruity, caramel, honey.

This is the rebranded 23, same rum different name. If you like rum, this is for you. Unlike so many other attempts to reinvent, this is what rum should taste like. Carmel, cinnamon, and not hot and the next morning no ash tray taste in your mouth. Great rum if you're looking for Rum.

no this is not worth the money, i wanted the 23 because of its rating. they gave me this one instead.... waste of money. tastes likes cheap rum with a muffy aftertaste. This one is good for Hot chocolate :D

Nose - very fresh, apples, grass, candies, but slightly weak. The taste is sweet and smooth. It didn't have any particular flavor to me, it was just sweet. The finish is very short almost none. I would expect much mor for a 23 year rum. I went to try this one because of reviews of 23y predecessor, but got this one instead. Little fun for a lot of money. For that price I am not conviced to buy again.