El Dorado Special Reserve 15-Year

Sampled at the Laka Lono Rum Club Tasting on 6/30/21. Pours brown in color. Seems like it is burned a bit. This is very good, but not smooth at all. Much hotter and out of balance compared to the 12. Has a big sweetness, but the charcoal is too strong. Unique in character for sure.

Had this rum from Banks brewery when it was still named Demerara rum. After the river in Guyana. Great taste

I haven't had the intention to make a vs. review, but it happened to have both bottles, so I decided to make some side-by-side testing.
It's also not quite fair towards Appleton as comparison with El Dorado 12, would probably have been more objective.

Color

Both AE & ED have an eye soothing copper color, although the AE is slightly lighter.

Winner: Both

Nose

AE: Molasses, oak, vanilla, ripe banana
Simply fabolous, and the best I have encountered.

ED: A very strong molasses, barely anything else. As for me, this is a major flaw.

Winner: AE

Palate / Finish

ES: Medium body. Dry oak, burnt wood, dry oak, oak, oak. Too much oak tannins which suffocate the rest - nutmeg, orange peel, almonds, with some alcohol burn in the end.

ED: Slightly sweet, spicy oak, caramel, tabacco. Complex and smooth with gentle vanilla finish which leaves the right sensation.

Winner: ED

Nice rum, quite like the 12yo but a little less sweet, less fruity and some more oak and caramel. Rich flavours, enjoyable drink

Very smooth. Weak aroma. Not sweet. Good sipper. Good PQR.

Dark amber color, sweet smell,a little bit oaky, but nice and smooth finish

Of course deeper and more complex than 12-year brother a little bit disappointed me because 12 year brother was more pleasant. I can fully enjoy it only after letting it breath for 15-20 minutes and then taste became smooth and delicate. On the one position with Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva for me.
So, taste - very roasted coffee, dark chocolate, quite a lot of smoke, leather and notes of prunes. Aftertaste is burning and medium.
My thought is the following - it would be better to make it of 40 ABV or even 37.5 ABV.

Great rum from one of the best molasses distillery in the world: Demerara distillers. None of the molasses distillery has such a large panel of stills. And this is reflected in the complexity of El Dorado rums.

This Special Reserve 15 Years is one of my favourite "English" style blend. The structure is perfect for this rich and complex rum with a greath length.

A must try for every heavy rum enthusiast!

not a sweet rum anymore had the 12 years ago but was too sweet so waited many years and finally got the 15 ..it's not sweet little burn smooth drink

Very pleasant taste, not too sweet. Lacks a bit of depth but if you want more older El Dorado has older and more complex rums. The 15 yo should be considered as a second step for those who consider Don Papa, Zacapa 23 or Diplomatico SR as good sipping rums.