Kirk and Sweeney 23-Year

I was super impressed by the Kirk & Sweeney 12 Year Rum, so I bought their 18 and 23 year rums. Those are even better! What's more impressive is that they are both primarily based on sugarcane (agricole), which I've never cared that much for before these. The 18 is pretty close to the 23 in taste; in fact they're almost equal. The 18 is just a bit sweeter, while the 23 tastes just a bit more aged (much like the difference between the El Dorado 15 and 21). I like both sweet and aged, so I'm torn between the two. I'll give the 18 a very slight edge over the 23, just like I give the ED 15 a very slight edge over the ED21. But I definitely believe they are both very good. Vanilla, sugarcane, caramel, nutmeg, oak, and just a hint of sherry. The nose is incredible. You've GOT to try these!

Sugar: 2 to 5 gpl. The 23 year old is sweeter, more complex and is a darker tone of mahogany than the 12 year old. The 23 has a lot more aroma and taste with a much longer finish. You can tell from the smell and taste that is has spent a lot more time in the barrel. Molasses, pecans, caramel, vanilla, and plums or apricots, are tastes and smells that I found. The surprising thing is that the 23 year old is just a few dollars more than the 12 year old, but. Skip the 12 year old and go for the 18 or the 23 year old version.

Vanilla, cinnamon, tobacco, leather, citrus, banana, apricot, cherry. I don't find it much different from the 12yo, but it is smoother with a nice finish.
Coming back to this it now seems bland.

This Rum is the perfect rum for sipping. I like it with just a few ice cubes after i let it sit and open up for a few minutes. It also went great with these specialty ginger ales we got. Would not hesitate to get another bottle of this.

It tastes like a single barrel, without that sweet blended texture. Great full flavor and easy to sip over just ice. Not as smooth as some blended rums, but I like that distinction. Probably the best value for a true 23 year rum.

This is the first rum that I have had that my first thought is tobacco. Very smokey and oaky. Great sipping rum on the rocks. I will look for this rum again.

This is a delicious rum from start to finish. Somewhat sweet with nice butterscotch tones to it. Does make my tongue tingle. This has joined Vizcaya VXOP & Plantation XO 20th Anniversary as my official sipping rums. I place this third in line because although I would be hesitant to use this in Coke Zero or as a mixer, the butterscotch and toffee undertones would really be an asset. So consider this a hugely delicious versatile rum.

Vanilla, nutmeg, oak, and butterscotch and all for just a few dollars more than the 18yr.

This has taken a place in the highest echelon of rums I own. Truly a fantastic rum. One of the first that flavors and smells are really jumping out in each nosing. I will be buying a few more bottles to put away. When people find out this is as good as it is it will be hard to find.

Does it ever get any better than this? I dare not give a 10 as I have yet to taste QRM 30 (and a lot other I expect to be in 10ish range) -so this one gets a 9