kinda tired of the same old stuff(normally drink parrot bay and bacardi)and was lookin for somethin new.someone recommended captain morgan’s private stock but ive recently heard that sailor jerry spiced rum was actually better then captain morgan
just wondering if anyone has any good suggestions for some non expensive brands of rum that taste good both straight and mixed
I came in specifically to say Capt. Morgan Private Stock. It’s my absolute favorite liquor.
I have fond memories of Flor de Cana rum in Nicaragua. I don’t think it’s available in the US though. Otherwise Capt. Morgan.
If you like spiced rum like Captain Morgan, try Kraken.
Sailor Jerry is quite good, in fact. For mixing and sipping, I prefer Mount Gay. For just sipping, Pyrat.
I would go so far as to say that there really isn’t very much in the way of bad rum anywhere, which is one of the reasons I like it. Rum is unpretentious. Nobody is ever proud of how much they know about Rum or puts on airs because they know how to select a really fine one. It’s just a good drink for anyone, and the difference between high-end and mid-range isn’t all that great as far as can see, but every rum has something a little different to offer.
Rum also has the somewhat unique distinction among liquors of not being unique at all: that is, you can make a Rum that’s pretty close to being a Whiskey, Vodka, brandy, or almost anything else you can imagine. presumably, this is due to the fact that it’s defined very closely by the mixture of origin as sugarcane rather than the process used to make it, and the fact that the sea is a pretty good cultural barrier which makes for a lot of local styles and niche markets.
I also have limited drinking experience with rum. Just out of curiosity, what’s the opinion on Cruzan? How does it compare with Sailor Jerry, Mt. Gay, Pyrat, and others?
I’m not sure I’d agree with that. But even if I were to concede that point, I would feel obliged to assert that it is absolutely worth it to move from “not bad” to “good” or “really good” rum. By spending only a few dollars more, you can get to rums of complexity and depth of flavor that will equal a high quality scotch or bourbon - and often at 1/2 or 1/3 the price of a comparable scotch/bourbon. Yes, you can pay an outrageous amount of money for a high-end rum (like any other high-end liquor), but IMHO, there are some GREAT bargains in rum.
But before I can answer the “what should I buy” question, I need to have an idea what you consider “non-expensive.” If you’re looking for a nine-dollar bottle of rum, I probably can’t help you much. It also depends a lot on what sort of liquor stores are in your area and what kind of selection they have. And, sadly, your location greatly influences how much you’ll pay, as well.
Hmmm… it would also help to find out if your taste in alcohol tends to run to dry or sweet - rums can range from intensely sweet to very spicy or very dry, even before you consider the flavored/spiced ones.
Siam Sam, Flor de Cana is available in the U.S. - several different ones, as a matter of fact.
non expensive id consider around 20 bucks,max 25 i guess.and my taste in alcohol is sweet
I put Bacardi Limon in my beer.
I’ve been a fan of Pusser’s Royal Navy for a long while. Its a bit rough, but has a lovely molasses flavor. Supposed to resemble the classic British Navy rum. (Which means its most natural mixers are sodomy and the lash. :p)
Ron de Jeremy spiced rum is absolutely great; real top quality stuff from Panama. (If you think I’m joking, look up some reviews online - it’s not your typical celebrity endorsement.) After getting a free sample at a wine show, I was shocked at how good it was and immediately grabbed a bottle. 
BTW - I’ve only ever bought the spiced rum, not the “regular” from that company.
Do you have a Total Wine or BevMo near you? Those are probably your best bet price-wise. Although if you have a liquor store with good selection and a good staff, you might consider paying for their expertise the first time around. Your call, of course.
As to what to get - my first recommendation would be to find Pyrat XO. But this comes with a warning - it’s very sweet and has a TON of citrus flavor in it, so it’s not suitable for everyone.
For a more “classic” aged rum flavor, see if you can find some Doorleys XO. Good enough to sip, but cheap enough to mix. Wouldn’t consider it particularly dry or sweet.
Hmmm… If you can talk yourself into spending a bit more, see if you can find the Zaya 12 year old (BevMo has it for 27.00 here). But if you mix with it, I don’t want to know.
Another one that I think is pretty good is the R. L. Seale 10 year old. Haven’t had it in a while, though, so I don’t remember if it runs sweeter or not.
As for the spiced rums, someone mentioned Kraken - I agree. Dark and intense. Kilo Kai is another good one - though considerably more delicate than Kraken.
Another one I’ve tried and liked is the Cruzan 9 - not because it’s extra high quality, but because it has… well, instead of “notes” of vanilla, it has a serious vanilla punch, which I happen to like. If you like seriously vanilla, you might like that too (and it’s pretty darn cheap if you can find it).
One last word of advice - pay attention not just to the brand, but the variety - there can be a big difference between the “entry level” stuff and the higher end stuff produced by the same distiller.
And for anyone that wants to spend a little bit more, try the Ron Zacapa 23Yr Centenario . Many consider it the high end “standard”. My personal favorite.
Supposedly blended using the RN’s own recipe, in fact.
Pusser’s is definitely my favourite rum; Myers’s dark rum was my favourite before I discovered Pusser’s. Mount Gay Eclipse is also quite good.
I’m not fond of Bacardi, except maybe Bacardi 8 and Bacardi 1873, and I don’t like spiced rums at all.
It is. I drink their rums all the time. It’s been available in Atlanta for about 3 years now, I think.
It shouldn’t be mentioned in the same sentence as Captain Morgan, as it isn’t a spiced rum.
No love for Gosling’s Black Seal?
Ah, excellent. I was in Nicaragua in the 1980s, and I don’t think the rum was available in the US at that time. It was the Sandinista era. The trade situation has no doubt settled down.
I’m not big on rum, but Sailor Jerry is a) good b) cheap and c) over 80 proof. I have a little distaste that it’s named after the guy who trained Don Ed Hardy, although I don’t know how much he has to do with the line of douchewear named after him.
Private Reserve is fine, more expensive. Lots of people like Kraken.
What’s the best value vs. taste white rum?
The Haitian "Rhum Barnacourt"is very good-unfortunately, I haven’t seen it for years. It is more like a fine brandy.
Rum is my favorite type of alcohol, but I don’t drink much anymore, as even drinking moderately gives me high blood pressure. I guess it’s just as well, as hangovers are no picnic. I like Barcardi rum too, as well as the spiced rum. Perhaps you could buy at the liquor store some of the small “airline bottle” sizes of different brands, and see what appeals to you. I like just rum and diet coke, nothing fancy.