# anyone drink rum?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drink-rum/670294
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [October 3, 2013, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drink-rum/670294 "2013-10-03T20:16:35Z")
**Posts on this page:** 15
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)
#### Post date: [October 8, 2013, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drink-rum/670294/41 "2013-10-08T03:51:58Z")
Bacardi? Parrot Bay? Jesus… Anyway, wall of text forthcoming. Sorry, rum is my first love, so I get carried away.
> [@Siam\_Sam](#):
>
> 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.
As has been said, Flor de Cana is readily available here in Murica, and I find the younger ones to be decent, no frills rum. I’m not entirely sure of the purpose of Capt. Morgan. It makes an acceptable introduction to spiced rum, I suppose, but once you’re older than 17, you really shouldn’t be drinking it anymore.
> [@silenus](#):
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> Sailor Jerry is quite good, in fact. For mixing and sipping, I prefer Mount Gay. For just sipping, Pyrat.
Mount Gay is a good standard, Pyrat is very good but also very sweet, and in my old age, my fondness for sweet things has nearly disappeared entirely, and I find my love of rum has been almost entirely overtaken by my love of bourbon. But that’s a different story entirely. Pyrat is fine by me, and I’ll never say a bad thing about it. And I’m drinking Sailor Jerry right now.
> [@NDP](#):
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> 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?
These are all different. I’m going to assume when you ask about Cruzan, you’re asking about the dark rums. It’s fine, but is also difficult to compare to Sailor Jerry, which is a spiced rum. I’d put SJ in its own category, then rank the others as Pyrat, Mt. Gay, then Cruzan, which isn’t to say Cruzan isn’t acceptable, it just happens to fall last on the list. It’s still leaps and bounds above whatever swill Bacardi is putting out these days.
> [@Linus\_Van\_Pelt](#):
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> 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.
>
> …
>
> 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.
>
> …
>
> 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).
>
> …
>
> 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.
> [@Linus\_Van\_Pelt](#):
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> I’ve tried both the 8YO and the 15YO Barbancourt. Both very tasty and still available. Interestingly, this is a case where, IMO, there’s no reason at all to spend the extra for the 15YO - I don’t think you gain much, if at all, and you definitely don’t gain enough to justify the extra cost.
Who is this Linus and where did he acquire such fine taste? I feel like I don’t even need to be here, and you all can just listen to him.
> [@DrFidelius](#):
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> No love for Gosling’s Black Seal?
It is very, very sweet, and as such, not for everyone. I had this kick for a while where I was drinking the stuff pretty much nonstop, but some people won’t be keen on the molasses/sugar overload. If you’re into Gosling’s though, the Gosling’s Old Rum is outragingly wonderful. Goes for more than most seem to be willing to pay for rum, but it’s just about perfect.
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### Author:  [@Anonymous\_Coward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonymous_Coward)
#### Post date: [October 8, 2013, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drink-rum/670294/42 "2013-10-08T15:40:55Z")
> [@Saintly\_Loser](#):
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> I really don’t like rum at all. But I’m married to a Newfoundlander, and they love it up there. They drink something called “screech,” which is pretty poisonous, if you ask me.
>
> They prefer dark rum (and my wife told me that she didn’t even know there was another kind until she got to the US).
[Old Black Rum by Great Big Sea](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fudwJZhiYxk), one of Newfoundland’s famous bands.
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### Author:  [@LauraC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LauraC)
#### Post date: [October 8, 2013, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drink-rum/670294/43 "2013-10-08T15:52:50Z")
You can’t go wrong with a glass of Morgan’s Spiced…or five! Not expensive and tastes so good!
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### Author:  [@Linus\_Van\_Pelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linus_Van_Pelt)
#### Post date: [October 8, 2013, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drink-rum/670294/44 "2013-10-08T19:26:07Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#):
>
> I’m not entirely sure of the purpose of Capt. Morgan. It makes an acceptable introduction to spiced rum, I suppose, but once you’re older than 17, you really shouldn’t be drinking it anymore.
Not entirely true - it’s acceptable to add some kick to some hot cider, for example. Other than that, though…
> [@MeanOldLady](#):
>
> Who is this Linus and where did he acquire such fine taste?
_I am a riddle, wrapped in an enigma, speaking from the depths of an oak aging barrel. The knowledge came dearly, at the feet of a master blender, in a secluded fortress in the depths of a Caribbean jungle, high on a mountaintop…_ this has gone off the rails a bit, hasn’t it…
Seriously, the older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve become convinced that life is too short to drink bad booze. And until about 5 years ago, my knowledge of rum was limited to the likes of Malibu, Bacardi, and Captain Morgan. Consequently, I didn’t have much use for rum. But a close friend had recently become a rum-drinker, I had sampled a couple of “real” rums, and liked what I tried. Then I needed a good present for him and a high-end rum seemed to fit the bill perfectly. So I did bunch of research until I found what I needed. All that research, combined with the realization that Bacardi was a poor representative, kindled an interest in exploring the world of rum. So I’ve spent the last few years happily sampling.
> [@MeanOldLady](#):
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> I feel like I don’t even need to be here, and you all can just listen to him.
Nonsense. Talking about something you love is always a heck of a lot more fun when another aficionado joins the conversation. Besides, I might get ideas of new things to try, or opinions on things I haven’t had the chance to taste yet. For example, have you tried the Mount Gay Black Barrel yet? The Extra Old is very nice, but it’s gotten pricy. Makes me wonder if the Black Barrel would be an acceptable substitute.
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### Author:  [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)
#### Post date: [October 8, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drink-rum/670294/45 "2013-10-08T21:12:31Z")
> [@Linus\_Van\_Pelt](#):
>
> Then I needed a good present for him and a high-end rum seemed to fit the bill perfectly. So I did bunch of research until I found what I needed. All that research, combined with the realization that Bacardi was a poor representative, kindled an interest in exploring the world of rum.
Ah yes, research.
I have not had Mount Gay Black Barrel, but will should I ever come across it. Whenever I see something by a distiller I love that I’ve not yet tried, I stuff it into the cart, price be damned. Terrible habit for a poor person like myself, but I need to drink, and I need to drink something worthwhile, so I’ve little choice in the matter.
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### Author:  [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)
#### Post date: [October 8, 2013, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drink-rum/670294/46 "2013-10-08T22:11:26Z")
> [@Anonymous\_Coward](#):
>
> [Old Black Rum by Great Big Sea](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fudwJZhiYxk), one of Newfoundland’s famous bands.
Yep. They’re great. I’ve seen them on George Street in St. John’s, their home base.
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### Author:  [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)
#### Post date: [October 8, 2013, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drink-rum/670294/47 "2013-10-08T23:13:09Z")
There was a great rum bar in Beijing that I think has closed now. A friend there took me. It had all sorts of rum. I normally don’t drink rum straight, but that stuff was downright tasty.
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### Author:  [@LauraC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LauraC)
#### Post date: [October 9, 2013, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drink-rum/670294/48 "2013-10-09T14:53:46Z")
Shots of honey rum are amazing, tried them in Spain!
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### Author:  [@Linus\_Van\_Pelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linus_Van_Pelt)
#### Post date: [October 9, 2013, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drink-rum/670294/49 "2013-10-09T18:11:11Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#):
>
> Ah yes, research.
I just realized how “research” could be interpreted. I’m embarrassed to admit that almost none of the research was of the hands-on variety. I just spent a lot of time reading about rum (mostly reviews). But having spent so much time reading about all these different distillers and varieties, once I had purchased my gift I decided to put the knowledge to good use. An interesting side affect of the whole process, however, is that I went from a neophyte to a rum-snob practically overnight. I know, that’s much more boring than the image of getting drunk every night while yelling “It’s for research!” How 'bout we go back to the story of the master distiller in the mountain fortress…
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### Author:  [@Linus\_Van\_Pelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linus_Van_Pelt)
#### Post date: [October 9, 2013, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drink-rum/670294/50 "2013-10-09T18:17:05Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#):
>
> There was a great rum bar in Beijing that I think has closed now. A friend there took me. It had all sorts of rum. I normally don’t drink rum straight, but that stuff was downright tasty.
Actually, that’s one of the things I look for in a rum. If it’s not good enough to drink neat, I’m decidedly less interested in it.
I don’t suppose you remember any of the ones you tried? I’m always looking for suggestions.
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### Author:  [@Jay4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay4)
#### Post date: [October 9, 2013, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drink-rum/670294/51 "2013-10-09T22:18:24Z")
actually,after buying a bottle of sailor jerry and mixing it with some orange juice.im kinda having the same issue i had when i bought a bottle of kraken,are spiced rums not that good to mix with if you actually like tasting the juice your mixing it with
it just seems like thats the issue i had with kraken.when i mixed it with stuff i tasted more of the rum flavor then i did the juice,ive heard spiced rums are like that so are spiced rums better to drink straight then mix.i know from the little bit i tried of sailor jerry straight it didnt taste bad but i was lookin more towards rums that are good to mix with
and do they sell honey rum in america? i actually had honey bourbon(jim beam honey.it was cheaper then jack daniels)and it was pretty good
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### Author:  [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2013, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drink-rum/670294/52 "2013-10-10T02:53:51Z")
> [@Linus\_Van\_Pelt](#):
>
> Actually, that’s one of the things I look for in a rum. If it’s not good enough to drink neat, I’m decidedly less interested in it.
>
> I don’t suppose you remember any of the ones you tried? I’m always looking for suggestions.
No, I sure don’t. The menu was extensive, I’d never heard of any of them. It was this place: [Salud Bar](http://www.beijingfeeling.com/beijing-guide/nightlife/salud/). I’d heard it had closed, but it looks from that link like it may have reinvented itself.
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### Author:  [@Jay4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay4)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2013, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drink-rum/670294/53 "2013-10-10T03:00:52Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#):
>
> These are all different. I’m going to assume when you ask about Cruzan, you’re asking about the dark rums. It’s fine, but is also difficult to compare to Sailor Jerry, which is a spiced rum. I’d put SJ in its own category, then rank the others as Pyrat, Mt. Gay, then Cruzan, which isn’t to say Cruzan isn’t acceptable, it just happens to fall last on the list. It’s still leaps and bounds above whatever swill Bacardi is putting out these days.
ive had the flavored cruzan before and didnt really like it(or at least compared to the usual rum i get).pyrat was another rum i looked at but i didnt look for it when i was the store
cruzan black strap sounded pretty good though
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### Author:  [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2013, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drink-rum/670294/54 "2013-10-10T03:26:13Z")
Never liked rum. It always smells and tastes like turpentine to me for some reason.
But it was the favorite liquor of amy best friend some 27years ago, and that’s what he had on hand. I tried mixing it with Mountain Dew, and discovered that rum + Mountain Dew produced a somewhat chocolatey flavor.
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### Author:  [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)
#### Post date: [October 10, 2013, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-drink-rum/670294/55 "2013-10-10T03:31:44Z")
> [@Mister\_Rik](#):
>
> But it was the favorite liquor of amy best friend some 27years ago, and that’s what he had on hand. I tried mixing it with Mountain Dew, and discovered that rum + Mountain Dew produced a somewhat chocolatey flavor.
That’s good to know, because Mountain Dew has just returned to Thailand after an absence of maybe three decades.
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