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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

I bought this because the bottle looked awesome. Wish K&S would go back to the 12,18,23. This aged rum could be better.

Not too bad. Will sip it if offered but unlikely to buy again.

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.