Doorly's 5-Year

I have been reading the praises of Doorly's rums and finally am now able to try some thanks to Total Wine and More in Jacksonville. Had to drive over 3 hours to get some. No one locally could obtain any.

I will start with Doorly's Fine Old Barbados Rum Aged 5 Years.

My bottle differs a great deal in appearance as compared to the bottle on the RumRatings list. I uploaded a photo I took for comparison.

Anyway, the bottle has a parrot on the label...actually a scarlet macaw...I'm partial to birds...I have a very spoiled pet cockatiel named "Cheech"...

But I digress...

The rum itself is a nice amber. The aroma in my snifter is quite nice. Has a sweetness to it. The flavor also imparts a nice sweetness. However upon a little investigation I find that testing was done on this rum and it was not sugared. So the sweetness is natural.

I shall now digress again...

Two things...

First off, this rum comes from the R.L. Seale & Company. I've recently read a lot about Richard Seale and all of it good. One thing is apparent is that he is very particular about being transparent concerning his rums. I respect that. The label says "Aged 5 Years" not just a "5" or "5 years". It is very specific. And also from what I have read concerning Mr. Seale is that the rum you get is the rum that came directly from the barrel...no additives...no sugaring. I have to respect that. I hope to meet him someday and shake his hand.

Secondly, it seems that the bulk of the rums I like best come from two places: Barbados and Martinique. Don't know why. It is what it is.

Digression concluded.

The flavor starts sweet and has hints of vanilla and toffee. No harsh burn but a pleasant warmth. The finish is quite delicious making me want another sip...and another...and yet another...

The sweetness is far from overpowering and there are oak undertones carrying it all along.

This is a quality rum.

And the $12 USD I paid for it qualifies it as a heckuva bargain. Versatile as well. This rum needs to be mandatory at all bars especially tiki bars. Sipper...mixer...anyway you want it, you can't go wrong.

Dadgummit! I want daiquiris made with this. ASAP!

R.L. Seale and Company...I salute you!

I tried the 5yo after the 8yo and expected a younger (obvious) harsher rum but it is actually easier and sweeter (for a 100% dry rum) than the 8yo. Less complex, less oaky, less sophisticated but also fruitier and more sweet notes make the 5yo a really pleasant, very affordable enjoyable sipper.

On the nose it is very inviting with some vanilla, a touch of smokey oak, sweet oranges and some alcohol. On the palate the orange and vanilla combine to a fruity fudge-like sweetness (again, it is really a dry rum) with a pinch of pepper. The oak is much more in the background than with the 8 yo Doorly's. Very well balanced and nothing out of tune. Lovely little rum and at this pricepoint very hard to beat. Definitely not my last bottle!

Bought at Total Wine for $10. A really nice rum for the price. Vanilla and caramel notes on the nose with faint dry fruit and some alcohol . This rum is nice and smooth on the palate with vanilla and caramel coming through the dry fruit comes in more on taste then smell. Long finish with a minimal burn. I love what Seales has done at the Four Square Distillery and can not recommend their products enough.

$22. for a 1.75L...haha its a total fricking steal! Much like you would expect from a younger Doorly's 8 or younger RL Seale's, it definitely has some of the same flavors while having more expected burn that isn't overkill. Drink it on the rocks and problem solved, takes the edge off and still has great flavora of vanilla, honey, banana, and sugar cane grass. Definitely bringing this to the family beach house this summer.

The brand Doorly’s was founded by Martin Doorly & Company, but is nowadays owned and produced by Foursquare and Mr. Richard Seale.
The 5yo is a single blended rum, a combination of column and pot still, aged in former bourbon casks whereafter it’s bottled without any dosage or additives at 40%.
The aromas is fruity, woody and spicy with hints of vanilla, toffee, citrus and oak.
In mouth and at palate is complex, fruity, woody, spicy, sweet and smooth with tastes of toffee and vanilla
The rather short finish is round with tastes of vanilla, toffee, oak and spices.
Overall an very OK everyday rum, especially when taking the price into account.
Picture: My opened bottle with a poured glass in my private rum bar.

Sugar: 0-5 GPL. Aromas and tastes of vanilla, oak, a bit of caramel and spices. A bit of a burn on the palate but nothing to make you cringe. There is a sweetness in the rum and I know that R.L. Seale or Doorly's doesn't add anything to their rums so it's a pleasant surprise. Well balanced rum that you could sip if there was nothing else but I suggest a piece of ice. It mixes really well and is well priced.
Worth having in your bar.

A Bajan friend and I tried this. He told me the story of when he grew on the same street as Mr. Doorly. He said he remembered thinking he was a very plain man, and he must have made a very plain rum. Couldn't agree more. I like Bajan rum tremendously, but this is nothing special.

Stone fruit, bananas, and a lovely finish all at a great price! $23 gets you 1.75 L and IMO, it's a sipper! highest recommendation. 7+

A pleasant surprise, I enjoy it neat on colder summer evening with friends. My first Doorly's so I will definitely try more this distiller.

The rum is smooth and easy to drink over ice or mixed but doesn't have much depth of flavor. I prefer a rum with more of a molasses or dark sugary flavor.