Panamá-Pacific Rum 9-Year

Aroma - molasses, butterscotch, brown sugar, very ripe banana, toast, vanilla, vegetal notes, cinnamon, a burnt chocolate chip cookie, allspice, with a noticeable ethanol burn. Palate - molasses, coffee, dark chocolate, cinnamon, allspice, toasted coconut, banana, vanilla, black pepper, earthy vegetal notes, butterscotch, a mild to moderate alcohol sting, finishing medium-short with molasses, dark chocolate, and black pepper flavors. As summer winds down, it's time to tackle my growing rum collection. I'm starting with the 9-year Panama-Pacific, having never sampled a Panamanian rum before. The aroma is simple but decent, featuring molasses, chocolate, toast, and brown sugar – all with a burnt quality. The palate carries that same burnt characteristic throughout, with banana, coconut, vegetal notes, and some black pepper heat. Overall, this is better than average, but it's definitely young and somewhat sour. There are some pleasant aromas and flavors, but they are light and chaotic. The finish is also disappointingly short and watery. Next, I'll be reviewing the 15 and 23-year-old offerings from Panama-Pacific, anticipating that the extended aging will make a significant difference. A big thank you to a friend for the generous sample!

This bottle is rather reserved for a rum. While the label has some "hand-written" touches giving it a premium appearance, one might miss it on the shelf. In the glass, it shows a typical "Golden" Rum hue. At 47.3% ABV and being younger than its older sibling, it benefits from a bit of water before diving in. It presents pleasant brown sugar notes along with candied citrus, which I'm identifying as tangerine. It actually brings to mind the Pyrat XO from Guyana. This expression offers a "tropical fruit basket" profile rather than the "holiday baking" notes of the 23. This isn't a criticism, just a distinction. It remains very brown-sugar forward, characteristic of this distillery; it's clean and well-crafted. There's a noticeable astringency on the tongue, similar to the nose, but it concludes with a nice, clean finish. It's a good value for the price, but I'd hesitate to suggest it for sipping. If you're seeking an excellent golden rum for cocktails, this is the one. And honestly, sometimes that's precisely what you need.

The aroma is robust and ample, featuring some pleasant earthy notes and a hint of spearmint. It presents as a well-aged tequila. The taste is quite captivating, with considerable richness and body. A distinct mushroom essence, reminiscent of Corralejo Reposado, is present and well-integrated with the other tastes. The sweetness is pronounced but managed effectively. This sweetness has an almost nectar-like character, blending caramel and fruit with the earthy notes (primarily mushroom). While it might not be the absolute best, it's genuinely pleasing. Vanilla is certainly detectable, complementing the mushroom, and a somewhat dark chocolate note also emerges. A considerable amount of spice is present, yet it's not abrasive. I appreciate it, though it doesn't fully win me over. Around 15.

My nose is not great, but this is what the brand states: "Hints of butter, subtle caramel flan, and white raisin over dried fruit and spices. The taste begins with sweetness of caramel, which rapidly turns to burnt damp wood, with white raisin following closely. Subtle coconut husk and banana appear before pleasant, lengthy buttery, woody notes that persist through the long finish". I'm getting this for companions as a sipping rum to sit next to my other sipping rum on their shelf, Ron Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum

I'm just beginning to explore the world of rum, and this stands out as one of the best I've experienced so far. It's an excellent sipper, offering aromas of brown sugar, wood, spice, and citrus, with a hint of hogo. The taste is exceptional, mirroring the nose with more prominent brown sugar, citrus, wood, and hogo, complemented by a subtle earthiness. A fantastic rum!

Tropical fruit on the nose. Palate: woody, molasses, caramel, toffee, and fruity. Pleasantly spicy with a dry finish. Not excessively sweet. Bottled at 47.3% ABV.