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!

My usual cheap and cheerful house rum is Chairman's Reserve, so wanted to get another that might offer variety,

Initially I was concerned about it being a 5yo, but really, this was wholly unfounded. Soft, easy with a lovely bite from the spirit. Good length, easy to approach but not one dimensional. For the price, a winner. For the purist, they will find things to complain about.

I originally gave it a 7 but due to the price, I have bumped it up one. I would add though, with me being a little dismissive of the 8yo (below), going back to the 5yo after the 8yo shows how much it lacks in comparison. But still price/quality, it is an absolute winner.

EDIT - (I added this to the 8yo, but it is pertinent here)... the more I drink the 5yo, 8yo and 12yo the more I don't quite see how the 8yo fits in. The 5yo is a easy, soft, unsophisticated and very easy to sip. The 12yo has the sophistication and power. The 8yo is somewhere in the middle (inc price wise). Dare I say that the 8yo is a little pointless? Don't get me wrong, it's a good rum, but the 5yo is easier (albeit very much less sophisticated) and the 12yo is better. Maybe it is a case that I actually prefer the soft oakiness of the 5yo to the 8yo.

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!

Very good quality rum. Recommended for all. Sweet

Vôňa spočiatku alkoholová, po čase vanilka, chuť veľmi príjemná, hrejivá. Rum z Barbadosu, teda rum - žiadne aditíva, bez cukru. Môj prvý rum, ktorý mi veľmi zachutil a s ktorým budem porovnávať ďalej.

I thoroughly enjoyed this rum after buying it as a gift for a brother who refuses to drink neat spirits! I tasted it first at the Foursquare distillery and immediately preferred the RL Seales 10 year. That is pretty tough competition though! Overall it's a great rum, it just shares the distillery with an even better one!

Lovely stuff, when you open the bottle, you are treated to a beautiful aroma that can not be mistaken for anything else other than rum. very smooth with coke, lovely aftertaste that lingers in the mouth.
i will definitely be getting another bottle.

Lovely younger brother of XO, 8y and other older rums of the Doorly's lineup. This one very accessible sipper in terms of inviting sweet profile (no sugar added). On the nose there is vanilla, oak, oranges, on the palate there is pleasant vanilla, fruity, almost honey-like sweetness, with light oak undertone and pleasant mild aftertaste of oak, tropical fruits, with touch of nuts. Surprisingly balanced and overall pleasant rum for its price and age.

N- Vanilla and honey with subtle pepper and mineral at the backdrop. All fine but remains basic and sugary at initial stage, but develop with layers of earthiness in the nuances of fresh leafs, sour milk and ashy smokes. Rum macerated berries, orange and jammy with molasses undertone. (86/20)

P- Lovely bright and full at low proof with zesty high notes remains there for a long time. Then some oak phenol lingers with toasted sugar bread. Not sure about any additive, probably it does at minimal dosage, but feel pure and clean. (87/21)

F- Medium, clean, pepper with coat of oak for boldness, smooth with hint of wax. (87/21)

B/B- 87/21

Weighted Rate- 83pt
— at The Rum Bar KL.

My First "real" Rum. So this will forever be a special memory to me :-)