Kirk and Sweeney 18-Year

Tasted at laka lono. I think the 12 is better. Or at least as good. The banana sweetness with vanilla notes are all present. This has a bit more body and goes down a little hotter than the 12.

I had high hopes for this one, looking at the score. However, I find it lacking body. The feeling that sticks after sipping is a bit numbing and metallic, it misses that sugary film on the tongue. So not a great aftertaste. Does have a great scent and colour. For the same value and a better taste I would prefer a Doorly's.

Nice and representative bottle, but not so exciting, laconic content.
Accidentally not my cup of coffee.

I have been looking to try different rums. I found this site and did some research. I found a couple of rums that looked interesting and affordable. I had been drinking Appleton 12 year and have enjoyed it. I went to the liquor store to buy Kirk and Sweeney 12 yr and El Dorado 12 yr. When I arrived at the liquor store, I found the Kirk and Sweeney 18yr on sale, so I bought it instead. I do love the bottle, rum has a nice color. Now I found I was little disappointed in this rum. It is a good rum, but did not meet my expectations. Maybe I should have tried the 12 yr. I did find I really enjoyed the El Dorado 12. Has a nice flavor and very smooth

Sugar: 2 to 5 GPL.
Having tried all 3 of the Kirk & Sweeney aged rums, I have come to the conclusion that the judging of the 18 & 23 year old rums is pretty much a tie game. Tastes and aroma of Molasses, pecans, caramel or butterscotch, and plums, are present in this rum as well as the 23 year old. Both have the good vanilla oak taste, touch of sweetness, and a nice smoothness from aging, but I am leaning towards giving the nod to this one. Both are a good value for the price and worth having in the collection.

Less apricot more wood in here.
I loved the balance of wood with apricot from the 12y. That's why I prefer the 12 years old.
But still, this is a good rum and more complex than the 12y, a logical continuation. But if you like the aroma of the old celar like I do, don't miss the 12y old.

Smell: wood, some barrel, a hint of vanilla, caramel, apricot, sherry (or something sweet), dry fruits
Taste: dry fruit, some vanilla, some caramel, some oak and apricot, some bitterness. Aftertaste of sherry.

Sweetness: 1.5/5
Spice: 2/5
Fruit: 2.5/5
Mildness: 3.5/5
Value (40€): 3.5/5

Found this one in Vegas last year; there was a spot on the shelf for the 23 but they were out of stock. I guess it wasn't meant to be.
I had originally grabbed the 12 in the LC years ago and found it to be unique compared to other rums I had tried up to that point in my life; it reminded me of toasted marshmallows.
This one is similar but I get more of toasted coconut and butterscotch; it sort of reminds me of Plantation XO, almost.
All and all; good rum, but not on my top shelf.
Although for the price, a great value.

Color: 2/5. a bit boring but ok clear.
Nose: 9/15
Taste: 16/20

As a huge fanatic of maritime history and legends I was immediately drawn to the KS badge. However having tried both the 12 and 18 year, this being the 18 year, they both leave a bit to be desired from a character standpoint.

The 18 year is honestly a respectable rum with a very smooth body and attractive presentation with the promise of quality. However the flavors seem too dull vs the essence of the ethanol in the bottle. It doesn’t in my opinion deliver what it should at $50 a bottle vs Pilar, Zacapa, or Diplomatico. In the end I do enjoy it…but not enough to buy it again.

Not quite worthy of a straight up “sipper” but quite wonderful ove a big old ice cube!