Doorly's ABV43 12-Year

This rum really impresses for the price at Total Wine, which is the only place I have seen this. Spicy with unmistakable oak. The oak really stands out. Very smooth and I love the 86 proof rating. This is one I just have to have in my bar at all times.

Ez az, amit egyszer mindenkinek meg kell kóstolnia. Olyan arany középút, majdnem mindenki szereti. Kicsit száraz, kicsit éedes, kicsit vaniliás. Nekem bejün!

On nose, I feel honey, banana and caramel notes. Doesn't burn, on smooth side, slightly sweet. Having it neat, no rocks needed. Comparing to other Foursquare similarly priced rums I prefer RL Seale 10 year.

I started out with fairly sweet rums, like Zacapa 23, Matusalem, etc. since my early searches somehow led me in that direction. Doorly's 12 was my first experience with dry rum and this is definitely a winner. It has a very strong wood flavor to it, which I like. Its similar to R.L.Seales 10 yr with the bent over bottle stem, but with more wood influence. Then I picked up a bottle of Foursquare 2010 ECS and to me it tastes like a cask strength, more intensely flavored version of Doorly's 12.

Now that I've tried different styles of rum I can't say I have a clear favorite style, I like them all for different reasons, but in the category of dry rums that have a whisky like character you can't go wrong with this one, especially for the price.

Foursquare Distillery has a very good reputation in general. You get rum that has not been artificially "refined" with sugar or colour.
Unfortunately, this tempts some rum lovers to evaluate the rums of this distillery directly as top rum.
I am also not a friend of very sweet rum, but there are exceptions and no sugar does not necessarily mean you will get a superior rum.
So what does Doorly's 12 year old offer?
The nose is pleasant, but restrained.
Light red wine notes meet citrus leaves.
In the mouth also initially fruity acidic tendencies and shortly after a small explosion of flavors opens on the tongue and palate.
The sweetness is fine and subtle. The aromas are reminiscent of fruit tart.
Unfortunately, all this disappears almost as quickly as it came.
The finish is quite short, in the mouth remain some caramel notes, a hint of vanilla and citrus again at the end.
A very nice rum, but leaves a little too little.

I had a little bit high expectations when I ordered a bottle of this rum (the 43 abv, because it's supposed to be better than the 40 abv.). Well, it tastes very similar to the Jack Daniels Single barrel, since they have both been aged in a single (charred?) american white oak barrel. It's not for everybody and many beginners won't like it. The rum is heavy, dark, a little smoked, definitely can use an ice cube or two, it goes well with a cigar or similar. It is not a bad rum, but for that price I would go with something more complex and light on the palate

This has to have one of the great sniffs out there. The taste doesn’t quite live up to the maple syrupy aroma but it would probably be too sweet if it did. Nothing too complex here just some solid mellowness.

Rozinky, dřevo, trocha banánu a kokosu. Příjemné popíjení do sladka bez cukru.

Very smooth and flavorful and fantastic bargain at $30

This would have been rated just a bit higher, but the overpowering alcohol burn and smell ruined it for me. I enjoy Barbados rum and am becoming a fan of Foursquare but not sure why they upped this to the 43% alcohol over the more ordinary 40% you see in most rums. I guess I'm used to a 12 year being a bit smoother.
Taste runs the normal Barbados flavors with a hint of the tropics in the background and a spicy pepper dryness with a slightly sweet and lasting finish. I am on the fence with this one. Not a favorite, but worth the price.