Kirk and Sweeney Gran Reserva Superior

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!

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.

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

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.

In line with the K&S Collection. Not as sweet as other expressions.

Dark, sweet with vanilla tones. This or the 23 year is my preferred rum to mix with real cane sugar coke. Makes an excellent drink for the back porch in the summer, or with a savory meal.

Tasted at Kill Devil Rum Club at Laka Lono 8/9/22
I smell vanilla, and this is a pretty rum. BUT this is just a bit too much of everything for me.

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.

Nice oaky, sweet flavor, but more burn than I prefer.  Mixed goes down nicely.