Botran Solera Reserva 15-Year

The same folks that make the Ron Zacapa brand make the Botran brand. I was sitting at a Cuban restaurant in New York last week, just two days before National Rum Day when I had the pleasure of tasting Botran Reserva. That's right! I drank that straight up and it was smooth. Zacapa 23 is one of my favorite rums because of its complexity and smoothness, but some say it's a little on the sweet side. Botran makes up for where Zacapa 23 can be improved on. Equally complex, Botran is smoother and at 60-70% of the price of Zacapa 23, there are few other better deals in the $30-$35 range.

Overall, it is good on the rocks, but would be good in a mix drink too, just don't over mix it. Keep it simple, a daiquiri will do. Trust me. When you have a good piece of meat, you don't ever want to cook it too much.

If you were to give someone their first Reserva, this should be it. Doesn't make itself out to be the best, but does set a standard.

Very nice barrel aged flavor and smoothness for the money.

J ai trempé mes lèvres dans 2cl de ce rum et j'ai été surpris par les notes de bois,très surprenant mais néanmoins agréable ... à revister à l'occasion !!!

Great flavor to mix with cola or drink it straight up.

I picked this up in duty free leaving Belize. Price was great and it is a tasty rum. I will have to keep an eye out for this one again.

The cork was rotted, had to scoop it out, strain the rum, and pour it back in. First shot went down like 90 proof with an aftertaste of upchuck. I put the bottle in its bag to return to the liquor store. Then when I realized I had nothing else to drink in the house, filled another glass, and weird, it tasted great, smooth all the way. Not quite sure what miracle took place here, but this is actually really good stuff, dark and heavy, at a really affordable price.

Very nice and smooth rum.