rum reviews2 of 15

Amid this decidedly bleak backdrop of modern day Venezuela, Diplomatico, one of Venezuela's most celebrated rum producers, recently introduced Diplomatico Mantuano. Sadly, for me, this new blend jives with the times.

Cheap doesn't always mean poor quality when it comes to rum, though. Among the best quality blends I've discovered recently in the budget bin at my local liquor store: The Cane Mill Rum.

Aged 10 years, Yolo Gold is plenty smooth for sipping, with a nice finish that's heavy on the vanilla with very little burn. It's solid, sophisticated.

If Pusser's Gunpowder Proof is as true to its historical roots as they say, then I imagine those old British sailors were living pretty good... and dangerously.

A blend of 15 different rums, each aged for an average of four years, Appleton Estate Signature Blend was bred for mixing.

One thing I can definitively say about South Bay, though, is that it's all kinds of sweet... intensely so!

For 2015, one rum simply deserves a little extra recognition. Its name: Kirk and Sweeney.

There exists, perhaps, no rum better suited to mixing with coconut water than Providencia Rum... at least according to legend.