About Dominican SPIRITS

The sprit industry in the Dominican Republic centers around rum; given the importance of sugar can in the nation's economy, this is a natural. There are numerous styles, from extra dry, which is clear, aged for two to five years in oak casks to riserva, that are aged for a few years more, usually in sherry casks, which imparts a tawny or amber color. A few of these older rums are aged for 25-30 years.

Dominican rum has tantalizing flavors of roasted nuts, toffee, honeycomb, coffee and praline. The offer excellent complexity, with the younger offerings displaying fruit overtones, while the older examples display a long, elegant finish with dried leaf and tobacco notes. These are voluptuous rums.
Top Picks for Dominican Republic
218924
Bacoo
5 Year Old Rum
Light copper color. Candied, funky aromas and flavors of caramel, soft papaya, hearts of palm, and banana with an oily, soft, off-dry full body and a warming, interesting, long nut butter, toffee, and pineapple cake finish. A rich mouthfeel and desert-like flavors shine in this aged rum.
94 points $19.99 Best Buy
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab
218925
Bacoo
8 Year Old Rum
Copper color. Mature, toasty, inviting aromas of banana chip, hard caramel candy, dried orange, and geraniol with a round, lively, dryish full body and a peppery, very complex, endless caramelized starfruit, roasted nuts, toasty cedar, and raisin toast finish. A superb and seamless rum with ample barrel character for sipping.
94 points $24.99
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab
218851
Dubar Imperial
Premium Blend Rum
Light dark amber color. Aromas of apple skin and salted toasty nuts with a round, lively, medium-to-full body and a peppery, intricate, long candied apricot, rice pudding, vanilla custard, and hot peppers finish. A super mellow and complex rum to desire.
94 points $39.99
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab
206186
Summum
Rum Reserva Especial
Golden yellow color. Aromas and flavors of maraschino cherry, malted toffee, egg nog, and spice cake with a silky, fruity-yet-dry medium body and a delicate warming, creamy, spicy finish. An elegant balanced and flavorful rum.
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab
210755
Tremols
Ron Blanco Reserva Unica Rum
Pale slivery straw color. Mild, fruity aromas of banana custard and praline with a supple, lively, fruity light-to-medium body and a sleek, interesting, relaxed coconut creme brulee, watermelon taffy, delicate peppery spices, and minerals finish. A silky and well balanced rum that is sure to please.
91 points $13 Best Buy
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab
206187
Summum
Rum Malt Whisky Finished
Old gold color. Aromas of yuzu, pine blossom, and exotic tropical citrus with a silky, fruity-yet-dry medium body and a five spice, nougat, and sarsaparilla float accented finish. Very distinctive and exotically flavorful; Will be great in Asian style cocktails.
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab
212931
Tremols
Mamajuana
Electric crimson color. Bold, spicy, peppery exotic aromas of cracked pepper, toasted herbs and spices, powdered ginger and ginseng, and turmeric cedar and eucalyptus incense with a supple, crisp, fruity sweet light-to-medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-long double mint gum, root beer float, herbal hibiscus tea, and simple syrup finish. A fun and rather unique spiced rum that opens up a world of cocktail possibilities.
90 points $13 Best Buy
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab
220460
Bacoo
8 Year Old Rum
Bright dark amber color. Sweet aromas of caramel sauce, vanilla soft serve, saffron gelato, and rose water with a creamy, crisp, fruity medium body and a medium-length rum soaked raisin and grape nuts cereal, chocolate fudge, honey covered cedar, and black tea finish. A luscious aged rum with body that can stand up to stirred cocktails.
89 points $24.99
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab
218926
Bacoo
12 Year Old Rum
Brilliant bronze color. Aromas and flavors of toasted fig bread, spiced chocolate pistachio toffee, tres leche cake, and creme brulee with a velvety, bright, fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, engaging, long sarsaparilla with spumoni gelato, pink peppercorn, hint of bitter bark and roots, and honeyed espazote finish. An interesting, lightly herbal aged rum that will be fun in creative cocktails like an amaro daiquiri.
89 points $29.99
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab
212937
Tremols
Ron Añejo 1960 Reserva Aniversario Rum
Dusty amber color. Mild, attractive aromas and flavors of toffee, tobacco, dried fruits, and sandalwood with a glycerous, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a warming, interesting, medium-length vanilla cream, banana custard, roasted nuts, and delicate spices finish. A solid aged rum with nice drinkability; will appeal to whisky drinkers.
89 points $14.50 Best Buy
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab