Doorly's 12 Year Rum

I owe a great debt to this community. Truly. Between the pandemic and the summer heat, my enthusiasm for whiskey hasn't been as high as usual. I decided a change of pace was in order, so I opted to try rum. From my limited exploration, it's evident that the rum community is as passionate as the whiskey community. I'm also thankful to several individuals for all your excellent recommendations. I've become a devoted Foursquare fanboy. Now, this rum is amazing, quite literally banana-flavored! On the nose, the first thing I detect is bananas, specifically green bananas, along with plantains. The 12+ years of barrel aging have also imparted lovely bourbon-like caramel and vanilla notes, alongside some subtle brown sugar. The madeira cask contributes a dry wine quality, and the port casks leave hints of berries. There's no sulfur or funk (though I don't mind those characteristics), and noticeably little ethanol. What an enticing aroma! As you taste it, you recognize it's a rum, but your mind is tricked into perceiving it as a bourbon. The barrel influence is apparent here, with elements of tannic char and caramelized wood sugars. You can taste the oak and the age. It's remarkable that after 12 years in a barrel, this rum hasn't become overly oaked. In Texas, spirits aged for 36 months can sometimes taste like sucking on a barrel stave. And this finish! This must be the longest finish, exceeding 2 minutes, on any spirit of 40% ABV I've ever experienced. It progresses in waves of fruit and spice, somewhat resembling a blend of a high-rye bourbon and a highland single malt. This is exceptional. As an added benefit, it contains no added sugar, has an age statement, and cost only $23! Considering the age statement, the multiple (expensive!) casks it matured in, and having sampled single malts at 3 and 4 times the price that were less satisfying, I'd say the Foursquare distillery is doing outstanding work, and I'm eager to explore more of their products. For now, I'll stick to the Doorly's and R.L. Seale line and save a bottle of Sagacity for special occasions. Thanks again for your suggestions. Cheers!

Score: 17/23 Nose: I detect mellow, non-musty barrel wood mingling with tropical fruits like banana, pineapple, orange, and possibly mango. Barrel spices are also present, alongside a richness akin to caramel and molasses. It's a complex, well-balanced, and classic rum aroma. Palate: This is remarkably smooth with a pleasing richness reminiscent of Plantation Trinidad! It's delicious, featuring prominent vanilla and age, along with intricate rum flavors that aren't overpowering, plus cinnamon, pepper, and ginger. While Plantation Xamaca is fruitier and more rebellious, this still offers tropical fruit notes from the nose, with a touch of tartness like lemon or lime. For comparison, Plantation Xamaca is endearing yet rough, similar to Dalwhinnie 15. A side-by-side with Appleton Estate 12 revealed the Appleton tastes older with more traditional woody notes, floral vanilla, and spice, but it's also surprisingly rougher, less balanced, and rounded. The Appleton might be more complex, but I'm not certain. It's like comparing Japanese whisky to Doorly's scotch. Finish: Lingering wood and fruit notes, with vanilla and a pervasive spicy warmth that isn't harsh. A satisfying conclusion that complements the nose and palate. Show less Wow. This is easily a 16, maybe even a 17 or 18. For a $25 spirit, that's incredible! While 40% ABV often feels weak, here the balance, complexity, and smoothness shine. It's about as smooth as Appleton Estate 12, but I slightly prefer the more enjoyable, balanced character of Doorly's 12. It's a definite improvement over the XO, which is also good. While Appleton and Plantation Xaymaca have grown on me, I still favor this Doorly's. It's damn fine. Sadly, it doesn't reach the heights of Plantation Trinidad 2003, but for less than half the price and being readily available, this is an excellent option.

Starting my dry month (2nd of the year) and reaching for a rum. It's been a while coming. I've been exploring other brown spirits, particularly armagnac and rum. I've bought some bottles based on recommendations, hoping to either broaden my tastes or reaffirm my whiskey preference. Let's see how it goes! Smell: I get a hit of cherry cola cough syrup combined with oaky vanilla and caramel. That sweet/syrupy smell has never been my favorite and is the main reason I haven't enjoyed rum up to this point, but some folks swear by this one, so I'm going in with an open mind. I'm already dreading the first sip, but the community's positive feedback keeps me hopeful. After about 10 minutes in the glass, the aroma opens up considerably. The cherry cola cough syrup scent is now mostly gone, leaving a rich caramel and sweet vanilla aroma, very similar to a well-made bourbon. Optimism returns! Now for the taste. Taste follows the caramel vanilla nose but is now covered in a smooth layer of molasses funk, which is also surprisingly well-integrated, almost like a cloud frappuccino. There's a noticeable alcohol sting for a 40% abv. Some oak tannins emerge mid-palate but are balanced by the sweetness. Medium to long finish that persists. The cherry cola reappears, reminding you it's a rum, but this time it's a pleasant addition and more to my liking. This drinks a lot like whiskey finished in rum barrels. It's quite good. Considering the price is under $20, it's a clear choice for any whiskey drinkers wanting to try rum. I won't say I'm completely converted, but I can see myself returning to this when I want something different that isn't too far removed from bourbon or single malt whiskey. I also grabbed Appleton Estate 21yr and a cask strength 25yr old Kirk & Sweeney, which will either solidify my indifference or push me closer to exploring rum further. Who would have thought. Cheers!

Rum. Think Pina coladas, Hurricanes, Malibu, sun and enjoyment. Those thoughts come to mind when it's mentioned (for me, anyway). With a strong recommendation from a friend, I was curious. Searching for something unfamiliar yet still in my usual preferences and at a very reasonable cost, this demanded a try. A deep, warm amber hue beckons. An initial gentle, sweet, shy aroma appears with a touch of spice. Allowing it time to breathe, the vanilla cream sweetness intensifies. Coconut and pineapple tropical notes blend with the vanilla, transforming into something divine. The oak spice prevents the sweetness from being overwhelming. A little baking spice evokes fall imagery with scents of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. The texture is smooth and light, mirroring the aroma. A pleasant repetition of vanilla, tropical fruits, oak, and baking spices. The taste lingers for a good while. The woody spice and vanilla gradually recede, leaving traces of cinnamon and black pepper. As the flavors fade, the mouthfeel remains woody and dry, but only slightly and without distraction. It's actually fitting and welcome. For rum enthusiasts, this drinks like bourbon and might suit those who dislike overly sweet and artificial rums. For whiskey drinkers, it's an excellent spirit to sip that doesn't stray far from the expected character. The sweetness is inherent and not cloying. The spice is mild yet noticeable. Enjoy it straight, slowly. While rum might bring summer and beach scenes to mind, this is the opposite and makes for a wonderful fall beverage, ideal for a chilly evening. I enjoyed this more than Ron Zacapa 23. It would complement a good, mellow cigar. Locate and share this one. This will need to be a regular purchase, especially considering the price. [$29][90/100][Tasted: 10/24/20]

From a whiskey enthusiast's perspective: Seeking a change from whiskey, I decided to explore rum, having only tried flavored (Malibu) and spiced (Captain Morgan/Sailor Jerry) varieties. A recent sample of Kraken spiced rum wasn't to my taste. After some research, I discovered Doorly's 12, appreciating its lack of added sugars and reasonable price, so I purchased a bottle. Drinking it neat from a glencairn, the aroma strongly resembled bourbon, with rich vanilla, cherry, and orange notes, underpinned by a deep butterscotch scent. I enjoyed it immensely. On the palate, I experienced oak and a slight dryness, followed by a pleasant buttery, syrupy taste with orange zest. It's very rich and coats the mouth like pancake syrup without being excessively sweet. There's also a surprising warmth for an 80 proof spirit. The finish offers a decent oak presence. While it shares many similarities with bourbon, it is distinctly a rum. The rich, syrupy texture and butterscotch flavor are quite good. I like it a lot, particularly as a dessert drink. I'm eager to revisit it after trying other rums. Plus, its $26 price point is significantly lower than most whiskeys of comparable age, which is a major advantage for me! Additional Note: The rum arrived in an attractive box with good graphics. However, "Foursquare Rum Distillery" was misspelled as "Forsquare" on the back. A small sticker was also placed over the original import information with new details. This struck me as odd and raised concerns about quality control, especially with the distillery's name being misspelled. Fortunately, the liquid inside is excellent.

Aroma: Rich molasses, reminiscent of maple syrup, butterscotch sauce, and sweet malt. A subtle dry and refined ester note is present – just enough hogo for intrigue. Damp earth and mild cigar, oak, toffee, vanilla, and eventually some light fruity nuances appear. A pleasing aroma. Taste: A sweet and gentle initial impression with a touch of tropical fruit. The fruit notes intensify as it develops, alongside some leathery notes and hints of licorice and mint. The cask influence becomes noticeable over time but remains subtle, adding body and texture. The taste remains sweet but not overwhelming – it's a juicy sweetness like an orange, not simply sugary, with a balancing dryness. The taste and texture are satisfying throughout – light rather than heavy. Finish: Medium to long. The fruity and leathery character from the palate gradually fades into a well-balanced conclusion, with a gentle aromatic tobacco note as the final lingering taste. A superb rum, and though somewhat pricey, it offers good value. It's a sipping spirit I'd suggest to whisky drinkers who typically avoid rum due to its sweetness. While not a dry, funky Jamaican or agricole, this rum showcases some of the finest qualities of "standard" rum when allowed to express itself without added sweeteners. I could happily relax on a beach hammock, sipping this neat all day until the sun and my awareness slowly faded. "Very Good": 85/100 (4 stars)