Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum (B1,130) (BK Pick)

The background: Distilled in the US Virgin Islands, this bottle takes its influence from Caribbean rum and incorporates spices from the Far East for a little extra kick.
They say: Vanilla, butter oak, cinnamon and ginger on the nose, while the taste is dry and sweet with a long, crisp finish of oak and spice.
We say: Pours a nice clear, copper color. Right away you do indeed get smacked with the smell of vanilla and a hint of caramel. The taste is sweet, with a real lack of smokiness meaning it goes down easily—a little too easily.
Verdict: Overly spicy and perfumy, it’s a bit of a guilty pleasure.
 

El Dorado Dark Rum (B590)

The background: Produced in Guyana, this bottle is a lightly aged rum.
They say: Smooth and full-bodied.
We say: Less potent on the nose than others, with a flower-y touch. The taste is sweet with a mouthfeel that hits hard and disappears all too quickly. Tastes better mixed, but lacks the character.
Verdict: Underwhelming on the rocks. Better as a mojito.
 

Mount Gay (B777)

The background: What claims to be the oldest rum distillery in Barbados serves a “secret” blend of single and double distilled rum aged for 2-7 years.
They say: Full-rounded with notes of flowers and honey on the nose and a taste that’s a little fruity with banana, vanilla, oak and spice notes.
We say: The lightest in color. Straight, this just tastes sweet with little depth, and has a slightly platic-y aftertaste.
Verdict: OK if you stick to cocktails.
 
 

Sangsom (B275)

The background: This classic Thai rum is distilled from molasses and aged in charred oak barrels for five years before bottling.
They say: Despite what the haters say, this bottle has performed well on international rating website masterofmalt.com: “The
nose is particularly aromatic whilst the flavor is distinctively mellow.”
We say: Our panel’s attempts to pick Sangsom from the unmarked list invariably fail—we’ll put it down to a lack of character on the nose. The taste is rather caramelly but with a very bitter aftertaste.
Verdict: Have no fear, drinking Sangsom on the rocks won’t kill you.
 

Bacardi 8 Year Old Rum (B1,900) (Runner-up)

The background: Blended rum that has been aged for at least eight years (and sometimes up to 16).
They say: Fresh and perfumed with notes of oak and peel. The taste, too, is sweet with hints of tropical fruits and spices, plus a gentle finish.
We say: The smell is very floral. There’s a natural, complex sweetness. To taste, it’s like maple syrup, a little sharp and even reminiscent of whiskey. Mixing it with sugar and lime does no favors.
Verdict: Pour it straight, add ice and enjoy.
 

Captain Morgan Black (B739)

The background: Full-bodied blend of pot and continuous still rums from Jamaica, Guyana and Barbados aged in an oak cask.
They say: Dark, rich and distinctive.
We say: The smell hits you almost like bad office coffee. The taste is sweet like maple syrup but with a burnt aftertaste. Mixing it only adds to the confusion.
Verdict: Part post-pubescent hangover, part old man’s pullover—the taste of this one brings up mixed memories in our tasting panel. None of them good.
 

Ron Zacapa 23 Year Old Rum (TBA) (BK Pick)

The background: A blend of rum from 6-23 years old.
They say: A light mahogany color, this rum is a complex mix between honey, butterscotch, spiced oak and raisin.
We say: The darkest color of the lot, with a woody aroma and full-bodied taste that packs a punch. It really reminds some of our panel of a gentle, well-aged Speyside whiskey. Full of spice, it’s a bit heavy-going on its own, but definitely works if that’s your thing.
Verdict: Top pick if you’re the cigar bar, no ice kind of drinker.
 
*All rums were served straight at room temperature. For a second test, we mixed each with ice, one freshly squeezed lime and honey lime syrup.