Please note: We review wine, beer, and spirits. We don’t sell it. Prices may vary significantly due to shipping fees and state taxes, and some items may be hard to find.

92 • Ron Barceló Imperial Rum $28.99.
Bright amber copper color. Aromas of buttercream, dried cherries, pineapple marmalade, and caramelized nuts follow through on a silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with great depth and balance. Finsihes with a frosted carrot cake, cola nut, mocha, and robust brown spice fade. (tasted on Jun-23-2010)

92 • Fariñez Ron Añejo Súper Premium Rum $44.
Amber color. Roasted nut, burnt sugar, banana, tobacco, rubber sap aromas. A buoyant entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body of vanilla custard cake, praline, smoldering tobacco leaf, date, and peppery spice flavors. Finishes with a fruity caramel, oak spice and tannin, and white ash mineral fade. An interesting, elegant aged rum with a fine balance of dry and sweet elements for sipping. (tasted on May-28-2008)

92 • Castro Aged Rum $42/700ml.
Copper color. Coffee candy, dark chocolate, dried pineapple and peppery spice aromas follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with accents of oily nuts, wet stones, and oak. Finishes with a vibrant dry-yet fruity fade of dried tropical fruits and cherries, toffee, and tobacco. A nice flavor ride that will make for carefree sipping or serious mixing. (tasted on Jun-18-2008)

92 • Ron Abuelo Añejo 7 Años Reserva Superior Rum $19.99. Best Buy.
Brilliant amber color. Lush aromas of coconut creme brulee, melted chocolate, roasted nuts, dried tropical citrus and baking spices follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with tremendous depth and gusto. Finishes with a very long, evolving fade of coconut cream, banana custard, cocoa, tobacco and spice. A fantastic sipping rum, or use for sensational artisan cocktails. (tasted on Dec-09-2009)

91 • Ron Botran 1893 Solera Rum $30.
Rich copper amber color. Deep aromas of brown spices, cola nuts, figs, and toffee. A soft, satiny entry leads to a dryish medium-full body of toffee, exotic spices, mint, and sweet tobacco. Finishes with a long, spice and cigar box fade. A rich, balanced, and elegant style. (tasted on May-29-2007)

91 • Bacardi Bacardi 8 Rum $20.99.
Brilliant amber color. Reserved aromas of caramelized bananas and nuts, chocolate, clay, and delicate lemon polished wood follow through on a round, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with very good depth and vibrancy. Finishes with a lively, spicy, dried cherry, fig, tobacco leaf, and lacquered wood fade. Impressively flavorful and balanced. (tasted on Jun-22-2010)

91 • Ron Abuelo Añejo Reserva Especial $12.99.
Rich golden amber color. Buttery caramel and roasted nut aromas. A soft, silky entry leads to a dryish medium body with praline, cocoa, and sweet tobacco flavors and a graceful, lightly pepper spice fade. A great mixing rum. (tasted on Jan-11-2008)

91 • Havana Club Añejo 7 Años Rum $24.99/700ml.
Brilliant amber color. Banana blossom, caramelized roasted nuts, earthy sea salt, dried fruit,cigar box, and creamy mocha aromas. A soft, gentle entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium body of sweet toffee, sweet tobacco, date, tobacco, and dried cherry flavors. Finishes with a pleasing warm and spice with a touch of rubber sap and minerals. Nice complexity, balance, and finesse. (tasted on May-22-2008)

90 • Plantation 1998 Old Reserve Rum $35.
Rich deep amber color. Aroma of coffee, dark chocolate, and spiced nuts follow through on a round, supple entry to a fruity medium-to-full body with honeyed raisin and vanilla cola notes. Finishes with long, penetrating peppery spice and tobacco accented fade. A fruity, sexy aged rum. (tasted on May-08-2009)

90 • Ron Abuelo Añejo Reserva Especial Rum $12.99. Best Buy.
Bright golden amber color. Aromas caramel buttercream, toffee, and dried tropical citrus follow through on a soft, satiny entry to dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with smoothness and elegant depth. Finishes with a long, leather, cherry, spicy pepper jelly, and cocoa accented fade. Brilliant. 90 (tasted on Dec-09-2009)

89 • Zaya 12 Year Gran Reserva Rum $29.99.
Rich copper brown color. Rich aromas of chocolate pudding and brownies, roasted almond, and lacquered wood follow through on a round, supple entry to a sweet medium-to-full body with raisin puree and sweet baking spice notes. Finishes with a and polished wood and toffee and pepper fade. Pretty sweet but very tasty. (tasted on May-08-2009)

89 • Savanna Rhum Vieux Traditionnel 7 ans $70/700ml.
Lightly hazy deep amber color. Praline, glue, pistachio oil, and peppery spice aromas. A vibrant supple entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity full body of chocolate, date, tobacco, caramel, and nut flavors. Finishes with a wave of bubblegum spice,banana taffy, cane stalk, white pepper, and highly refined fuel notes. A gusty rustic rum with an elegant edge. (tasted on May-15-2008)

89 • Ron Zacapa Centenario 15 Year Old Rum $26.99.
Deep amber color. Sweet banana, coffee, and coconut pudding aromas. A round entry leads to a glycerous, dryish medium-full body dark chocolate, nuts, dried mango and mineral flavors. Finishes in a peppery spice and dried fruit flourish with a wave of vibrantly peppery alcohol. (tasted on May-24-2007)

89 • Don Q Añejo Rum $16.99.
Golden amber color. Aromas of toasted coconut, dried tropical citrus, mocha, and buttery caramelized nuts, and spice cake follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with very good depth, balance and vibrancy. Finishes with a smooth, glycerous cola nut and earthy mineral accented fade. Very nice styled and effortlessly drinkable. (tasted on Jun-22-2010)

89 • Dos Maderas Aged Rum $35.
Pure amber color. Buttery roasted pecan, dark chocolate, and baking spice aromas follow through on a silky, supple entry to dryish medium-to-full body with a rich roasted nut character and hints of dried banana, pewter, and cigar box. Finishes in a long, dry vanilla bean, cocoa, and peppery spice fade with balanced warmth. (tasted on May-22-2008)

89 • Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum $32.99.
Deep copper color. Sweet caramel and honeyed fruit and nut and cocoa aromas follow through to an off-dry medium-full body with very good depth and coffee candy and cake like flavors throughout the almost juicy finish. Nice flavors, albeit a little too sweet and liqueur-like. (tasted on Jun-29-2010)

89 • Ron Cartavio XO Rum $56.
Deep copper mahogany color. Aromas of licorice, vanilla pod, spicy fruit chutney and waxy honeycomb follow through on a smooth, supple entry to a very fruity medium-full body with lots of cola nut and vibrant brown spice and herbal notes. Finishes with a frosted banana cake, cinnamon bark, mocha, incense and earth accented finish. An in-your-face, over-the-top off-dry aged rum for sipping on the rocks or in artisan cocktails. (tasted on Jun-22-2010)

89 • Ron Santa Teresa Selecto Extra Premium Añejo Rum $25.99.
Amber color. Round and oily smooth with coffee, burnt sugar, roasted nuts, peppery spice and mineral aromas and flavors. Great texture and smoothness. (tasted on Jun-30-2010)

88 • Old New Orleans Ten Year Old Rum $55.
Minutely hazy luminous amber color. Interesting aromas of chocolate, cola, dried lilacs, and lemon oil polished wood follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with saddle soap, leather, and faint cardamom notes. Finishes with a polished wood, pink peppercorn, and spicy toffee accented fade. Intriguingly different. (tasted on May-14-2009)

88 • Vizcaya VXOP Cask 21 Rum $40.
Deep amber color. Pleasant aromas of spice cake and custard. A satiny entry leads to an oily off-dry medium-full body of spice cake, pineapple upside down cake, and cherry cola flavors. Finishes with a soft, sweet and spicy clove fade. A smooth liqueur-like aged rum for sipping or gourmet baking. (tasted on May-15-2008)

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