Myers's Original Dark Rum

Rating: 12/23 Nose: I detect some artificial caramel, but it pairs well with the fireworks, tobacco, spice, and tropical fruits (mango, pineapple, orange, banana). It's a powerful nose, but not unpleasant. There might be a faint hint of chocolate. Palate: The texture is thinner than anticipated with a more rubbery tobacco presence. The tropical fruits appear quickly, alongside the tobacco. I can taste the alcohol a bit, and it's just slightly harsh. It has a strong flavor profile and isn't extremely complex, but it's decently balanced and somewhat enjoyable. The alcohol becomes increasingly apparent and intrusive, though. Finish: A hint of alcohol lingers on the finish, along with some rubbery bitterness, smoke, and chocolate. It's a little disappointing, but far from bad. This seems like an excellent dark rum for mixing. I should probably get a bottle for that. For sipping, Blackwell is the better choice. I could sip this one, though, so it's better than I recalled. The harshness is a bit much, though, and so is the aggressive punch from the smoke that overpowers most of the fruit. I'm undecided between 11 and 12, but I think I'll settle on 12 due to the clear utility of Myer's as a mixer.

Works wonderfully as a mixer, especially with lemon. I wouldn't drink it straight or on ice because it's too intense for that. For a cocktail, try mixing one part of this with half a part lemon juice and ten parts ginger ale. The closest I get to sipping it is in a grog recipe that turns out quite well, made with: 1.5 oz of Myer's dark rum, one level spoonful of sugar, 2.5 oz water (if using fresh lemon), squeeze in a quarter lemon and add the wedge for garnish, or 3 oz water and 0.3 oz lemon juice (if using concentrate). Sprinkle with cinnamon and stir.

A very standard dark rum, good for any application requiring dark rum or just rum in general. It has a mild Jamaican funk, but it's not as pronounced as in more expensive, higher-quality options. You could probably drink this neat, but it's definitely better suited for mixing. Given that it's pretty average, reasonably priced, and has that unique funkiness, it deserves a score that's above average but not exceptional. I tend to keep it stocked at my home bar regularly.

Myers's has a deep brown, clear appearance, with alcohol legs, lined up like soldiers. The aroma is of rich black molasses, toffee, cane stalk, some menthol, raisin, and prune. The taste mirrors those elements, with a waxy note. The mouthfeel is light to medium, and Myers's finishes smoothly, as if one were gliding down a hill, into the cane field, stopping at the shed.

On the nose: caramel, brown sugar, cloves, and nutmeg, with a moderate amount of overripe banana and raisin funk. Rich mouthfeel. Flavors include vanilla, molasses, pepper, more cloves and nutmeg, and more funk. Medium-length finish with some noticeable but very fleeting heat. Rating: 3.00/5.00 – Good (neat)

I've given this a good try, but I don't think I'll ever enjoy it. The molasses is prominent, which I like, but there's also a stale, dusty character I dislike. It's really overpowering my infinity bottle, even after adding a splash. I'll need to add much more rum to balance it.