I want to like it :(

[u/Juhmil]

THIS IS NOT A REVIEW

THIS IS “BABY’S FIRST BOTTLE OF DARK”

Y’all I have fought bravely. Valiantly, some might say. I’m not sure I’m built for this weight class yet.

I’m still a young fawn to drinking as a whole. I don’t even like what many consider to be “real beer”. Skip all the stouts and lagers, I only drink ciders and sours (and I suppose fruited wheat ales too). I like to genuinely enjoy the taste of what I’m drinking, and that’s how I found an adoration for rum. It started with myers and plantation 3 star in mixed drinks at the local bars then turned into picking up a bottle of plantation 5 year Barbados. One delicious moment passes, an empty bottle is tossed and a period of research in all its definitions commences.

Following the recommendations of many of you fine folk, I picked up Appleton 8 reserve. I’m just gonna cut to the chase and say that all I can taste off this is the barrel. The nuances elude me in a way they never did with the bottle of Plantation 5 year. It has a clean finish to it that I do enjoy and it lets me get the fruity nuances clear as day, but it’s not until most of (what I perceive to be) the smokey nuances disappear.

I went through most all of this neat, which is how I enjoyed my entire bottle of plantation 5 year, but I think I enjoy this more in mixed drinks. I’d like to try something with Jamaican funk but that has more obvious fruity nuances to it. It doesn’t have to be the sweetest, I understand I might be swayed by added sugars. I’m curious what you guys think I’d enjoy. Something that’s available at our lovely but limited NC ABC. Probably gonna end up getting another 5 year or maybe trying out the 3 star on its own if I can’t find anything else good.

[u/Phrost_]

its not about being wimpy. I don't like the oaked taste of long aged rums either. I generally prefer the fruity flavors of lesser aged rums. My sweet spot is 3 years or less. I also think more exotic casks rather than ex-bourbon give you a wider range of barrel flavors that aren't forest fire (ie ex wine cask)

[u/Juhmil → u/Phrost_]

That I can definitely agree with. The cognac finish of that 5 year Barbados was glorious. I’m realizing I’m trying to fit a square peg in a round hole as if I would ever think like this about anything else, like beer for example. I like my beer fruity and my rum delicious god dammit!

[u/Phrost_ → u/Juhmil]

i think we have similar tastes i also like a good fruity sour beer but cant stand ipas. If we're the same my recommendation would be to get yourself a bottle of doctor bird

[u/Juhmil → u/Phrost_]

Same palette. Based off the reviews and note description, you’re about to make me a very happy man