Blackwell Rum

Score: 15/23 Nice bottle, though I'm not a fan of the screw cap Aroma: Intense, unusual, sweet. I detect fireworks, molasses, tropical fruits, and chocolate. It still has some youthful character, but doesn't smell excessively young. Vanilla and a touch of spice are also present, hinting at bourbon barrel aging. Palate: Quite smooth and sweet, featuring the familiar dark rum char alongside fireworks, baking spices, caramel, a little chocolate, a whisper of vanilla, and pleasant tropical fruits like banana, passionfruit, and pineapple. The taste is spicy but not sharp, and sweet but not overly so. It's a well-rounded palate that is reasonably smooth and fairly intricate. Finish: The bitter smoke remains, accompanied by spices and vanilla. Chocolate and a hint of dark roast coffee dominate the lengthy finish. It's a pleasant finish, but the nose and palate are superior. For less than $20, this is an excellent purchase. It's a reliable choice for a dark rum in mixed drinks, but much of its appeal comes from its balance and intricacy rather than any single prominent flavor. I would definitely choose this over Myer's for sipping anytime, but it might be wise to keep Myer's (or another option) on hand for mixing, as it has some bold notes that can hold their own in a cocktail. Considering how solid this is for sipping, I'm leaning towards at least a 14. Actually, I might prefer this over Appleton Estate 12 because I like its balance and intricacy with just the right amount of added sugar, but I could easily go either way, so that feeling might change tomorrow. I believe Doorly's 12 is superior, but if I were in the mood for a dark rum, I might pass it over for this. I'm settling on 15.

A rich cane liqueur from the owner of Island Records. This dark rum is distilled and blended in Jamaica. It was made following an old recipe from when the founder's family owned the distillery and estate. It starts with an aromatic bouquet of cane sugar, oak, herbs, and spices, develops a rich and spicy character with marshmallow notes, and finishes long and sweet. June 2017

Sweeter, richer, and more complex than Myers or Beenleigh. It has notes of molasses, wood, char, banana, and possibly other tropical fruits like mango and pineapple. It's enjoyable and drinkable, but not outstanding. There's also a butterscotch caramel quality and some spices, specifically black pepper, white pepper, cinnamon, and a baking spice. I'll rate it a 12 initially, but it might be an 11.

As one might read in another review, "the bottle went rather quickly." And it couldn't be more true. This bottle, when shared, might not last the entire evening. It's delicious! Smooth, incredibly fruity, sugary, with a touch of spice, and just really good! So good it makes you salivate. The only thing missing is the sand between your toes! MUCH better than the common brands! (Bacardi/CapMorgan)

I'm relatively new to rum, so my palate isn't fully developed yet, but here goes. The nose presented a lot of molasses sweetness with some fruity essence. The fruit sweetness continues on the palate with a hint of chocolate. The finish is sweet and brief. Overall, I find this quite enjoyable compared to the Goslings dark rum I typically purchase at a similar price.

An easy-drinking, though not subtle, dark rum. It's spicy and very sweet, making it better suited with bright citrus tastes than enjoyed on its own.