For our latest spirits reviews , we consider a range of rums . The notes and ratings below come from the New York International Spirits Competition , a sister competition of Cheers and Cheers @ Home . Judges for the NYICS are trade professionals — retailers , bartenders , buyers , etcetera — who blind-taste products based on price tiers . Accordingly , these reviews recognize spirits that represent quality and value , without brand bias .

DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL

Bacardi 16 Year Gran Reserva Especial . Beautiful amber color . Bananas and cotton candy fill the nose and mouth with a medium body . Toasted nuts and tobacco on the balanced finish .

Balcones Texas Rum . Rum based from molasses distilled in Balcones ’ copper pot stills . Sunday-morning pancake and burnt marshmallow fill the nose when you lift the glass . More syrup and burnt toast on the palate . Nice , well-balanced medium finish with light toast on the end .

Cutwater Spirits Cask Strength Rum . Caskstrength rum at 64 % ABV , hand-selected by staff and bottled as a limited-edition rum . Oak and leather are on the nose . The caskstrength ABV is balanced with vanilla and caramel . Nice smooth finish with hints of burn to remind you of its high ABV .

Echo Spirits Distilling Co . White Rum . Good-quality white rum bottled at 42 % ABV . Vanilla and tropical fruit fill the nose and palate . Not syrupy , with rich flavor , making it a great base for most rum cocktails , including the Caipirinha .

Zaya Rum Alta Fuerza . A blend of overproofed , premium aged rums resulting in a golden-brown liquid in the glass . Dark spices and brown-sugar aromas come up from the glass . Lays well in the mouth , with spice and hints of burnt sugar , followed by a solid , full-bodied finish with hints of its high-ABV at the end .

Its presence will be felt in cocktails , while it can also be enjoyed as a fine sipping rum .

GOLD MEDAL

Saint James VO . Rhum agricole from Martinique distilled from sugarcane juice and aged three years in oak casks . Light sugar and oak notes waft up from the glass . Fresh fruit and nuts are softly layered in the mouth , with a soft light finish . A good base for most cocktails at 42 % ABV .

Admiral Nelson ’ s Rum . A good value rum with toasted marshmallows and light spice on the nose . Light vanilla notes as it softly coats the tongue . Finish is soft , with continued hints of vanilla ; a favorite for those who love a good value Rum and Coke .

Amrut Distilleries Two Indies Rum . A blend of Indian and Caribbean rums . 42 % ABV , medium-amber color with molasses and burnt sugar on the nose . The mouthfeel is medium bodied as it lays on the tongue with soft layers of chocolate and orange . A nice long finish with hints of dark licorice . Meant for sipping .

Appleton Estate Reserve 8 Year Old . Minimum age is eight years for this amber-colored Jamaican blended rum . Tropical fruits of bananas and mangos are on the nose . Oak and leather and brown sugar coat the tongue . The finish is tight with hints of molasses and spice . Good for most rum cocktails .

Dillon Rhum Vieux Agricole Hors d ’ Age XO . An agricole rum aged for nine years . A nice dark amber color with vanilla and fresh fruit on the nose . The freshness is still present in the mouth , with caramel and oak well balanced as it coats the tongue . Leather and hints of spice on the balanced fi n i s h .

Chic Choc Spiced Rum . The first spiced rum to come from Quebec . The nose is soft , with hints of vanilla . It is a balanced spiced rum with cinnamon , ginger and citrus fruit in the mouth . Soft finish . A nice base for cocktails that need a spiced rum that does not overpower the drink .

Coruba Dark Rum . A dark , richly colored Jamaican rum bottled at 40 % ABV . Molasses and coffee fill the nose . Tobacco and cinnamon softly layer when laying on the tongue . Dark spice is there on the finish . Best in cocktails .

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