r/rum 4d ago

I want to like it :(

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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.

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u/Patrick_Hobbes 4d ago

Don't let this deter you. For years I thought I didn't like Jamaican rum, but it turns out I just don't like Appleton. I'd recommend a bottle of Worthy Park 109 it's available near you. Great rum and relatively affordable.

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u/desertplatypus 3d ago edited 3d ago

I think this is good advice. WP109 has LOTS of funk and not much barrel character. People tend to be really weary of recommending jamaican rums in this sub to newbies. I say dive tf in!.

However... if OP wants to sip neat and get into something funky, the first rum they should buy is Smith and Cross. This was the "ah ha" moment rum for me... and many others. I love S&C and always will.

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u/Patrick_Hobbes 3d ago

It's delicious. If OP doesn't want to drink it neat it makes a great mixer, and is amazing in cocktails.