Hamilton 86 Demerara

Big rum tasting last night. Nice picture of unique rum collection. This is a solid Guyanese rum! Not extra aged but just great blend of Diamond Distillery’s rums. Not to much emphasis on Port Mourant. A bit of a younger rum burn drinking straight but should be great mixer and more. I think it earns a solid 7. Not the aged depth or added sweetness as Eldorado 12-21 but at $35 bottle solid rum liked by everyone at our tasting not knowing the price.

This rum was delicious! Very different from the other rums they have made in that it did not slap you upside your face. Started out very nice with a wonderful finish. Very easy to drink and left us wanting more.

This rum is one of my favorites. It is my go-to for a rum and coke, the burnt toffee/caramel really work in that capacity for my palate. This isn't really a rum that I would relish sipping but making cocktails? Good lord, give me strength. I would give this rum a 10 if Plantation OFTD and Hamilton 151 didn't exist as this rum has lost it's priority in my liquor cabinet as my floater of choice. Major flavor bomb, my favorite budget demerara rum on the market(that I've tried mind).
My tasting notes: Nose is burnt toffee, palate is burnt toffee/caramel, molasses, hint of vanilla, finish is short.

Cork Review: 6.5/10 could be a lot more sonically satisfying, BUT! It does this thing where it kind of *clicks* into place right when you're done putting the cork back in. Reminds me of a Lustau sherry bottle for those familiar.

Nice sipper with a lot of attitude. Several strong flavors such as smokiness, light sweetness, and some fruitiness. Nice caramel coloring with a smooth finish. Very surprised and very glad I got to try this.

Appearance is deep amber. Aroma: Esters, molasses, caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar dominate with some warm spicy notes - nice! Taste: Sweetness, probably from esters, with spices, caramel, vanilla, and molasses. Reminiscent of a rum raisin cookie. Finish is scorched caramel. Mouthfeel: Medium-full, with light burn.
Okay for sipping, especially with a few drops of water.
Other: Synthetic T cork; it is a bit tight

I would like to clarify something a prior reviewer posted - you should NEVER expect ANY sweetness from ANY rum, only if sugar is added post-distillation will a rum be sweet. El Diorado rums - especially the 12 and 15 year - have TONS of added sugar. This rum did not "age out the first run molasses characteristics", it actually perfectly showcases those characteristics without hiding them behind a wall of added sugar. So all you get is a smoky, intense leathery Demeraran rum. Only aged "up to 5 years" so not the greatest sipper, definitely has some rough edges, but fantastic in mixed drinks. Has become one of my go-to rums in Mai Tais.

I've only tried Pusser's as far as Demerara rum goes to this point. This has wonderful dry brown sugar notes. Demerara and oak notes meld with vanilla and spice on the back end. The finish is nice, long, and delightful.

Love the tobacco, chocolate, and cherry notes that make this bottle great. It’s a great sipper, and great for the price.

This was a nice surprise. I am a huge fan of Guyanese rum and this didn’t disappoint!

This is my first Guyanese rum, and what a rum it is! Dark in taste and color, this stuff is packed with all sorts of rich flavors. Chocolate, caramel, molasses, raisins, leather, and tobacco are all present in abundance on both the nose and palate, with a bit of a lingering sweetness despite not having any added sugar. A little too much young rum burn to be a great sipper but it really shines in a cocktail, especially in combination with something Jamaican for contrast. Definitely a bottle worth keeping behind your bar! I know I'll be making good use of it soon!