Hypothetical question about 10 "top shelf" rums

[Evangelos]

If I was to have 10 rums in a bar of all "Top Shelf" quality, what would some of you out there that know rum much better than I do choose. Here are some ground rules to consider when choosing:

1) Price is of NO object, but less than $400 I think is a good boundary.

2) As long as it's possible to get a bottle (even if rare) it can be added to the list. If it's impossible, let's keep it off.

3) Make sure that it meets a "Top Shelf" type standard

4) A few should WOW people. So, like Pyrat Cask 23 I think would be in and maybe even Mount Gay Tricentennial Rum (though I am not sure on it's availability)

5) Some good for the money runs could be added as well. I assume many will choose Ron Zacapa Cent. 23 and I would as well. I think it's a fantastic rum.

So I guess that means we already have 2, we might need just 8 more.

1) Ron Zacapa Centanario 23

2) Pyrat Cask 23 (from what I have read on this board many think it is without peer. I think that qualifies to make this list)

Thanks to all, let's see how this goes.

[PR Rum Time]

Here are some impressive (expensive) rums you might want to look into. I’ve never tried any of these expensive blends.

Appleton Estate 21

Mt. Gay Tricentennial

El Dorado 25

Bacardi Millennium

British Royal Navy Imperial Rum

Here are some great rums that are much cheaper.

Appleton Estate Extra

Mt. Gay Extra Old

El Dorado 15

Cruzan Single Barrel

Pampero Anniversario

Santa Teresa 1796 (I haven’t tried this one yet)

Angostura 1824 (I haven’t tried this one either)

Rhum Barbancourt 15

[Evangelos]

A very nice list, thank you.

I hear good things about the Santa Teresa 1796, Appleton Estate 21, and Cruzan Single Barrel.

[Bill Poster]

Santa teresa 1796 is my current favorite. I now prefer it to Ron Zacapa 23(shock)

Would like to try Orinnoco(?)as the blend of triple distilled cane rum(cachasa?) and aged molasses rum sounds intriguing.

Edited January 10, 2006 by Bill Poster (log)

[Jason Perlow]

I wouldnt put Pyrat Cask 23 on that list. Its pointless at that price when the Pyrat XO is just as good.

Some of the best rums in my collection:

Appleton 21, But Appleton Extra is almost as nice for less than half the price

Ron Zacapa

El Dorado 15 or 25

Rhum St James

Mt. Gay Extra Old

Barbancourt 15

Port Morant Blackbeard Reserve

Flor de Cana Centenario

Santa Teresa 1796

Neisson XO (but I think its unobtanium now, the Reserve Speciale is what is currently on the market and is also very good)

J. Bally

Cruzan Single Barrel Estate

Pusser's (The special bottling in the admiral nelson / navy flagon)

Inner Circle

La Favorite Agricole Vieux

[LunaSea]

I'd keep the Pyrat Cask 23 on the list (he DID say under $400!). I found a Miami distributor who can order it for $239 a bottle (it's $180 at the factory in Anguilla). I bought a bottle to welcome 2006, and boy did it turn some heads at the liquor store on New Years Eve when the guy rang up the total! But Jason, you're right about Pyrat XO...a very good rum for under $40 a bottle, as is Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 year old.

But I would also add Diplomatico from Venezuela, which is in the same price range.

[Ed Hamilton]

I tend to stay away from the special bottlings as many don't like up to the hype, or price. Besides most of us mortals can only get our hands on a bottle or two or most.

As you can see from the price on rum, it is the most undervalued spirit on the liquor store shelf.

A couple of bottles that I'd add to the list are Barbancourt 8, as opposed to the 15, and I'd add a white rhum agricole for my first drink of the day.

[Kristian]

I'm always mentioning this rum, but it is simply so good. A definite addition to my shelf would be

Cockspur VSOR

[Bill Poster]

Here is my 10. Some I want to try. Had to be affordable.

white

Clement grappe blanche

Oronocco*

Aged/dark

Clarkes Court Special

Charbay*

English Harbour 5 Yr*

El Dorado 15 yr.

Santa Teresa 1796

Flor de cana cent. 12 yr*

Ron Zacapa 23

Pyrat XO*

*yet to try

Edited January 17, 2006 by Bill Poster (log)

[scheer]

have a look at cadenheads series, rossi and rossi in Italy, and bristol spirits, all are in favor of unique bottelings, and live for the real spirit

Ed

[Ed Hamilton]

Cadenhead has bottled some amazing rums, among them their 30 year old barrel strength. But it should be considered that this rum wasn't aged in the Caribbean, but in the UK where the temperature is much lower. It is generally agreed that rums reach maturity faster in warmer climates.

[Bill Poster]

Cadenhead and Rossi&Rossi I don"t know anything about. I will try and locate a bottle of the former. I know of the Bristol rums, all of which look v interesting. Could'nt they bottle them half size and make a box set?

[scheer]

Cadenhead has bottled some amazing rums, among them their 30 year old barrel strength. But it should be considered that this rum wasn't aged in the Caribbean, but in the UK where the temperature is much lower. It is generally agreed that rums reach maturity faster in warmer climates.

←

Ed,

Some of the bottelings have partly aged in the "tropics" partly aged in the UK. They will bring over already "tropical " aged rums in parcels and leave them for further aging in the UK

Ed

[bboivin]

Currently, the top rums I'd have on:

Havana Club Añejo 15 Años Gran Reserva (sorry if you're in the US)

Pampero Anniversario

Ron Zacapa Black Label 23 year old

El Dorado Special Reserve 15 year old

English Harbour Extra Old

Angostura 1919 8 year old

Santa Teresa 1796 Ron Antiguo de Solera

and a few bottles of Cadenhead's something or other.

Bret

[kbuzbee]

Here is my 10. Some I want to try. Had to be affordable.

Pyrat XO*

*yet to try

←

Had the opportunity to try the Pyrat XO last week in Florida. Wow, this is rum to me. I've tried a few here and there. Never really found one I liked. I like Pyrat XO. Makes me want to try the Cask 23.... Someday.

Ken

[Ed Hamilton]

Some of the bottelings have partly aged in the "tropics" partly aged in the UK. They will bring over already "tropical " aged rums in parcels and leave them for further aging in the UK

Ed

←

Thanks, you are absolutely right. Some distillers age their rums a few years before selling the aged distillate to bottlers and blenders in other countries.

[LunaSea]

I think that of all the rums listed on this thread, Pyrat Cask 23 is the one that is the least-tasted, if for no other reason besides its price than because it's not very readily available. Here in the Miami area there are but a scant few liquor stores who can special order it. Like I mentioned before, it's $239 a bottle here, but it's still a pricey $180 a bottle direct from the Anguilla factory, and $200 a bottle in stores elsewhere on Anguilla.

I feel blessed in that I've now finished my 4th bottle (3 from Anguilla, one from Miami). And my wife is expected to go back to Anguilla on a consulting job soon. Life is good!!!

By the way, I prefer Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 y/o and Diplomatico over Pyrat XO (Planter's Gold). But they're all darned tasty.

[Bill Poster]

What are the most expensive rums on the market today?

[mbanu]

If you're looking for expensive rums that are probably worth the price, Cadenhead has a reputation.

If you're looking for "interesting" rums for reasonable prices, I'd suggest Prichard's and Pusser's Blue.

Edited March 28, 2006 by mbanu (log)

[richl2214]

If you can procure a bottle Havana Club 15yr is great, albeit a "hotter" rum than most on the list. I like Havana Club Anejo better than the 7 yr old and I would include that on the list too. Not that hard to get even if you are in the US

[Evangelos]

BRNIR $2300

Pyrat Cask 23 $250

Mt Gay Tricentennial $300

El Dorado 25 year $275

Bacardi Millenium $750

...off the top of my head. I am sure there are more I am missing. As for the BRNIR, I dont think there is a more expensive rum, but it is a 4.54 liter demijohn.

Edited March 29, 2006 by Evangelos (log)

[Bill Poster]

So, per litre, a Bacardi rum is the most expensive!

[LunaSea]

I've never tasted a Bacardi that I liked yet, so maybe there IS hope!

Never had a Havana Club that I was thrilled about either, although the 15 y/o was getting there. And my neighbor who went to Cuba on a scientific mission brought back a bottle of Havana Club 25 y/o, but he hasn't opened it yet.

The good news is that I discovered a bottle of Mount Gay Extra Old Barbados rum that I'd forgotten I had. Doesn't say how old it actually is, although it does say that it's "The world's best rum." HA!!! But I'll try it manana anyway and post a report.

[scheer]

What are the most expensive rums on the market today?

←

the most expemsive rums will be aged rums single barrel single distillery not blended and very limited available, thus rare. Its the top end market and those rums can easily compete with the other not "poor mans drink" distillates like malt whiskies, cognacs, armagnacs, grappas and so on.

Those rums will be sold by distilleries themselves, or specialised companies in selling barrels of one distillery, from one batch, and aged by them.

Top prices can be found in markets like Japan, US, Germany, Italy, and probably in countries of producing rum distilleries.

[Evangelos]

Upun further investigation, I don't think you can get BRNIR for less than 4000-5000 USD, so that makes it the most expensive rum per 750 ml.