Grander 8-Year

All branding and marketting but the product inside does not hold its own.

I have been seeing this rum for sale at around $30 US, but I saw a bottle today going for only $17. Thinking that I had little to lose, I brought it home. It is an 8 year old dry Panamanian rum with no additives. The aroma is almost nothing. However, the 90 proof burn is quite high and obliterates any flavors that could be hiding underneath. Thankfully, the fine print etched onto the back of the bottle was too difficult to read in the store, but this rum clearly does not live up to it's claims. Think of this as a much cheaper competitor to R.L. Seale rums and you can't go wrong. However, this one is just too boring for me. If ice cubes bring out the flavors on a later date, then I will update this review.

First off, let me say I really like the bottle's overall design with the heavy glass, image of a marlin, and cursive font. This make it stand out visually from most of the rums on the shelf. Secondly the information on the bottle itself intrigued me. Namely that it "wouldn't require any coloring, flavoring or blending additives". This rum, according to the bottle as well as their website (http://granderrum.com/) the rum is made from molasses that originates from sugar cane which came from Herrara, Panama and distilled in "1922 American Copper and Brass Works copper stills ". It is then aged in "ex-bourbon barrels from Kentucky". In this rum's case it is aged for 8 years in Panama (they do have a 12-year rum but the store I obtained this rum did not carry the 12-year...too bad). It also is present at 90 proof (45% ABV) which is higher than standard rums so keep that in mind when sipping this rum.

The aroma of this rum in my snifter is crisp, clear, and nice. Definitely tickles the nose. It is a light amber color and has very good legs.

The flavors reveals no sugaring whatsoever IMHO. It has a hint of sweetness with some caramel tones and some definite pepperiness. There is a mild burn all the way through from the tongue to the back of the throat. There is some oak bitterness from the tannin in the barrels that lasts through the finish. Not objectionable.

This is definitely not a rum for the novice rum drinker. Instead I think this would be a good sipping rum for the bourbon connoisseurs.

A pepperish flavor. Vanilla hints that is just ok.

solid nose (sweeter) and I like the more complex (for rum) bourbon barrel finish. Sweeter, not great, but solid for price ($25-30).

Forward tones of banana, vanilla, fruit, and sweet. A bit of oak underneath. It’s pleasant for a few sips but then becomes a bit too dry and uninspiring.

Your basic rum... Has a little more kick to it but nothing else is special. The nose isn't pleasant at first but gets better after a little while in the glass. The taste is fairly bland, very simple wood with some notes of honey.

Has a fairly strong alcohol bite (server said 108 proof), but was good to sip over ice.

Great bottle, amber colour rum. Had a sip or two but nothing for me, not enough flavour or scents