El Dorado 12-Year

Normally I drink my rum straight, this rum however is something I will break down and add in a combination with a mix (rum mule is a good option). This rum is smother than some others in this price range with a hint of Carmel but has a slight ethanol finish.

The color in the glass is the standard dark, glowing brown hue induced by caramel coloring.

The nose is warm, inviting, with a slight turpentine-like off note usual in El Dorado rums. Dried fruits, ginger bread.

Sugar dominates the palate, counter-balanced by some oak and moderate smoky spice. Notes of apricot marmelade and dates. The mouthfeel is rather thin, with an acidic overtone, the finish is oak with lingering sugar.

IMO weakest of the 12, 15, 21 offerings.

I believe this rum is a blend of runs from a coffey still and wooden pot still that are all aged for a minimum of 12 years. I find that it has a good deal of complexity to keep the drinker interested. Would recommend as a sipper, or with coconut water.

Good, but a bit too sweet. Nice for cocktails maybe

This was one of the first corked runs I was ever introduced to and I quickly fell in love. This rum even has its own theme song (if you are a Tragically Hip fan you'll know what I mean). Lately, though, I find it on the sweet side so I have benched it for now, but who knows what the future will bring.

If you dump 8 sugar cubes into your coffee, you'll love this. It has so much potential, but I can't get around the added sugar. Otherwise palatable, but I can't handle more than two before switching to something less sweet.

This was kind of an impulse buy, because of the lovely packaging and the glasses that came with it. Maybe not the smartest move to buy only judging on the outside, but I think the aesthetics are part of the experience too.

Opening the bottle and getting the first smell after pouring didn't impress me. A short sniff gives a sweet and orange'y smell, but stay longer and it gets overpowered by a gasoline-like smell.

Tasting it there is orange, oak, smoke and sweetness. Also right at the beginning there is a very slight hint of that gasoline I smelled before. (Edit: after trying it again, but this time in a sherry glass, I find it much more enjoyable. The larger sips of a tumbler didn't work with this rum for me. I'm picking up a nice caramel now) The finish is sweet, oaky and smokey.

I payed €30 for the bottle including the two glasses, which was the same price as the bottle alone. At this price point I would probably not buy it again, but it has made me curious about the 8 year, as that bottle should be a bit cheaper.

Very complex and earthy (some petrol notes) but quickly becomes cloying with syrupy sweetness. At 40% with additives, this rum is really holding back punches.

A very good quality to price ratio in my market but it always makes me feel some resentment.

I had this rum during our family quarterly rum nights. This has a bold flavor of fruit passion and spice for an initial impression. You can't get over the complex caramel and oak flavors as they rum settles in on your palette. The finish is smooth, satisfying, and caring. The price point is reasonable but should be higher with the level of excellence this rum gives you. If you have the chance, taste this rum.

Not as deep and complex as the 15 year old but still a god buy!