About Aged Rum

Serve in a Copita
Añejo and Age-Dated Rums are aged Rums from different vintages or batches that are mixed together to insure a continuity of flavor in brands of Rum from year to year. Some aged Rums will give age statements stating the youngest Rum in the blend (e.g., 10-year-old Rum contains a blend of Rums that are at least 10 years old). A small number of French island Rums are Vintage Dated.
Top Picks for Aged Rum
211056
Denizen
Merchant's Reserve 8 Year Old Rum
Bright golden amber color. Rich, complex, attractive aromas of bananas foster, white toffee, cedar spice and cigar boxes, and dried fruits with a glycerous, vibrant, fruity medium body and a tingling, layered, long cedar bark and moss, copper ore, smoked nuts, and pepper finish. A very dry, serious and elegant aged rum for the connoisseur; will be fantastic with cigars or in tiki cocktails.
97 points $29.99
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab
219247
Ron Cartavio
XO Rum
Brilliant mahogany color. Woody, elegant aromas of fine furniture, soft tropical fruit, leather wallet, and warm cinnamon roll with a lightly tannic, crisp, off-dry full body and a tingling, nuanced, long caramelized nut tart, mango flan, orange caramel sauce, and vanilla bean and nutmeg finish. A rich aged rum for sweet palates.
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab
214795
Havana Club
Unión Rum
Dark amber color. Lively, roasted aromas and flavors of roasted nut brittle, sweet and pickling spices, geranium patch, and sarsaparilla with a velvety, shy, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tingling, interesting, medium-length pencil shavings, sweet cream, wet limestone, and blonde tobacco finish. A very smooth, elegant, and mellow sipping rum.
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab
214756
Panama-Pacific
23 year Aged Rum
Golden amber color. Bold, spicy, creamy complex aromas of cherry cola float, spiced peaches and mangos, orange spice cake, and creme brulee with a soft, bright, off-dry medium-to-full body and a tingling, nuanced, medium-long chocolate cherry bon bons, honeyed spiced nuts, suede, and cedar finish. A seamless and delicious aged rum that is sure to satisfy.
96 points $54.99
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab
215319
Old New Orleans
20th Anniversary Blend "King Creole" Rum
Brilliant gold color. Creamy aromas and flavors of chocolate maple nut fudge, spicy fruit chutney, honey vanilla bean gelato, and copper with a silky, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a tingling, long vanilla buttercream and cola, tiramisu, pink pepper, and minerals finish. A superbly spicy and intricate sipping rum that will cover all bases.
96 points $84.99
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab
211020
Ron Zacapa
Rum XO
Bright bronze color. Delicate, buttery aromas of roasted nuts, toasted coconut, and chocolate figs and cherries with a satiny, crisp, fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, complex, long coffee gelato, wood spice, minerals, and pepper finish. A stylish, long aged sipping rum that will be great with cigars.
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab
219014
APPLETON ESTATE
21 Year Old Rum
Dark amber color. Sweet, candied, complex aromas and flavors of vanilla creme Anglaise, caramel pudding, dates, and dried pineapple with a tannic, vibrant, dryish medium-full body and a warming, complex, long tropical trail mix, candied orange peel, orange blossom water, and leather finish. An intriguing and satisfying sipping rum.
95 points $134.99
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab
215040
Ron Duran
12 Year Aged Rum
Golden amber color. Rich, attractive aromas and flavors of caramelized fruits and nuts, banana bread pudding, cherry cola, and polished wood with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, nuanced, long mocha gelato, chocolate toffee, pepper, and cedar finish. A delicious and vivacious aged rum for all applications.
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab
214996
Mount Gay
XO Reserve Cask Rum
Copper color. Bright, buttery, toasty aromas and flavors of buttery roasted nuts, caramelized peaches and bananas, bourbon barrel, and delicate baking spices with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, complex, long whole nuts, toasted cedar and oak, limestone, and pepper finish. A dry, nicely poised, well-oaked sipping rum that will be great with cigars.
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab
210866
Ron Zacapa
Rum "23"
Bright copper color. Delicate, attractive, roasted aromas of bbq spiced nuts and Mexican chocolate with a silky, lively, fruity medium body and a warming, charming, medium-length root beer float, brown spices, polished wood, and minerals finish. A delicious, sensual aged sipping rum.
Date Tasted: in our Chicago tasting lab