Kirk and Sweeney 23-Year

This is very smooth, Carmel and vanilla. Nose is excellent and tastes great

I've really tried with this bottle, I think this is e realizing I don't like agricoles as much. It is a solid rum, but didn't have the long after taste I was hoping for. Not the best review, apologies.

I base this review from a person who really likes the K&S 18. The 18 is actually my wife's favorite rum. This is a good rum. The problem is it isn't better than the 18. It doesn't have the nose and is maybe less smooth. You have to deduct a point or 2 for that. If you like K&S, stick with the 18...

They were out of Zacapa 23 at my store so a sales person (actually fairly knowledgable about rums) recommended it. No disappointed at all. I still enjoy my Zacapa but this is more like the oak from a rye with a smooth rum finish. Has earned a regularly stocked place in my bar.

If you like a more dry harsh rum this is for you. A bit vapid and insipid. Not too many notes. More of an alcohol bite. A slightly harsh afterbite which would be unpleasant for some. But of course better than bacardi.

Those who've read my other ratings know I am a big fan of the Kirk & Sweeney 12 Year - among the best rum values out there in addition to one of the best rums I've tried. I purchased the 23 Year recently and sampled it alongside the 12 Year, and my conclusion is that those who prefer a less-sweet rum with more "barrel character" should definitely seek out this edition. Makes sense right? But, to be clear, I find this rum has virtually all those other characteristics that make the 12 Year great - the buttery finish being my personal favorite. And once again, the price of this offerings makes it a great value. Well done!

This rum is great! Not much more expensive than the 12 year but it's worth it! Prefect balance of sweet and dry. I will be buying more of this soon!

Maybe I was a victim of high expectations, but to my palette this drinks much like the Three Sheets Barrel Aged. Maple comes through on the nose, as does a woodsy note - you can tell its spent some time in oak barrels. Has a nice, lingering finish, but IMO it lacks the complexity of the finer blends - I've come to think rums are like red wines in that their blends can assume an outcome greater than the sum of its parts. A perfectly fine rum that packaged beautifully and drinks fine neat, and like the TSBA, sings in a mai tai mix. But as it doesn't stand out much beyond the TSBA, it too gets an '8.'

I used the data base to help guide my purchaser of this rum and it leaves me wondering. While it does have a great nose, it does not finish well as I think it would for a 23yr. I thought that this would be a wonderful rum with a deceptive price point like Plantation 20th. Don't get me wrong, it's good. I was expecting more, however.

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