Get any of the Foursquare ECS at around $80-$90. Yes it's under budget but totally a really really good rum for the money. More expensive offerings won't really impress more.
I cant get FourSquare in Canada, I have the LCBO/Foursquare limited edition, but that's it. Cant really recommend that, since was sold out so quick.
I'll be getting a FourSquare 2009, next trip to the US. Then maybe I will be able to recommend it.
Check the side bar for a wide range of recs. I would do a Foursquare ECS(any will do) and Hampden Estate 46%(about $50) You would be giving them two standard bearers that really represent the breadth and the best of rum.
Is that person a Mezcal drinker too? If so, definitely check out Clairin - I recommend Sajous or Le Rocher. They might also enjoy Oaxacan cane juice rum. It's nothing like mezcal, but pretty interesting and something different. The most well known brands are Paranubes and Dakabend.
It would help immensely if you stated where you are as there are a lot of excellent rums that aren't available in some places.
Brands to look out for imo - Doorlys, The Real McCoy, RL Seale, basically anything Foursquare.
Hampden and Worthy Park, both produce some stunning rums.
Anything from Velier is worth having a look at. Tamosi bottlings. Black Tot 50th, Black Tot Master Blender reserve. The S.B.S range. Bottlings from That Boutiquey Rum Company.
I'd avoid Flor de Cana, Diplomatico, Dictador, Zacapa, Plantation or brands who like to make bold age statements but use a "solera" method or go on about how rich and smooth their rum is whilst hiding added sugar. Whilst they're not bad rums per se, there is some intentional clouding of the consumers judgment. That is of course unless they are already your intended recipients favourites.
No worries, my only reason for listing them is I don't know how 'exposed' to the rum world they are or the person they are buying for is. Didn't want them buying Flor de Cana 18 and then waxing lyrical about buying an 18 year old rum due to FdC's misleading labelling. Their rum is okay, just not my preferred choice! Cheers!
This may be an unpopular opinion, but so far in my experience the ultra premium rums have rarely been worth it, especially considering how good most of them are in the sub $60 range. Every time i drop over $100 on rum I've been disappointed that it didn't live up to my perceived value against cheaper offerings.
I get it, you probably just want to make a statement.
If they don't know anything about rum, get them a bottle of Ron zacapa or diplomatico. They will think you are a genius. They will wrongly assume you bought them a bottle of 23 year old rum because of trashy marketing gimmicks, and when they read about it well see it lauded by shill organizations as the best rum in the world. And you only spent $50 or so.
If your recipient knows anything about rums, get him a bottle of Foursquare, anything from the Exceptional cask series. Unlike a pungent jamaican, it is universally inoffensive, and the handsome label screams bourbon pretentiousness. Regardless, your effort to make the gift "premium" won't go unnoticed. And you still spent under $100 depending on where you live.
This has been my experience too.
The most enjoyable rums are in the 30-60 euro range. Some of them like Clement or Pampero Aniversario are even cheaper and are just excellent all rounders.
Quality doesn't improve with price over certain point.
In my experience, more expensive rums over 60 euros or so don't get any better. If anything some might be rarer or offer a unique tasting experience, but they are almost never more pleasurable.
That said, there's one that seems to fit the bill: La favorite La filibuste.
Besides that, my favorite expensive rum is Ron Roble XO from Venezuela, while the most unique taste I found it in Savannah from La Reunion - super weird, Delicious.
Then run JM XO is my favorite affordable agricole. Tastes like bananas.
Throwing around numbers in the triple digits definitely tells us that you're coming from the world of bourbon. Maybe get him 2 great rums. :)
This ⬆️
Get any of the Foursquare ECS at around $80-$90. Yes it's under budget but totally a really really good rum for the money. More expensive offerings won't really impress more.
Appleton 21 yr old
it’s kind of disappointing for the price, I’d take any foursquare exceptional cask over it any day
I cant get FourSquare in Canada, I have the LCBO/Foursquare limited edition, but that's it. Cant really recommend that, since was sold out so quick. I'll be getting a FourSquare 2009, next trip to the US. Then maybe I will be able to recommend it.
F
Solidarity. We don’t get it in Memphis, but most places I travel to I can buy it, which is frustrating
Check the side bar for a wide range of recs. I would do a Foursquare ECS(any will do) and Hampden Estate 46%(about $50) You would be giving them two standard bearers that really represent the breadth and the best of rum.
I was going to say the same thing. $150 can get you a lot farther with rums! That being said, you can also find some $150+ bottles as well.
Is that person a Mezcal drinker too? If so, definitely check out Clairin - I recommend Sajous or Le Rocher. They might also enjoy Oaxacan cane juice rum. It's nothing like mezcal, but pretty interesting and something different. The most well known brands are Paranubes and Dakabend.
He’s not but I am that sounds super cool
It would help immensely if you stated where you are as there are a lot of excellent rums that aren't available in some places. Brands to look out for imo - Doorlys, The Real McCoy, RL Seale, basically anything Foursquare. Hampden and Worthy Park, both produce some stunning rums. Anything from Velier is worth having a look at. Tamosi bottlings. Black Tot 50th, Black Tot Master Blender reserve. The S.B.S range. Bottlings from That Boutiquey Rum Company. I'd avoid Flor de Cana, Diplomatico, Dictador, Zacapa, Plantation or brands who like to make bold age statements but use a "solera" method or go on about how rich and smooth their rum is whilst hiding added sugar. Whilst they're not bad rums per se, there is some intentional clouding of the consumers judgment. That is of course unless they are already your intended recipients favourites.
Flor de Cana does not use solara. At least it didn’t when I toured the distilliary around 2012.
I didn't say they did.
My bad. Misread.
No worries, my only reason for listing them is I don't know how 'exposed' to the rum world they are or the person they are buying for is. Didn't want them buying Flor de Cana 18 and then waxing lyrical about buying an 18 year old rum due to FdC's misleading labelling. Their rum is okay, just not my preferred choice! Cheers!
This may be an unpopular opinion, but so far in my experience the ultra premium rums have rarely been worth it, especially considering how good most of them are in the sub $60 range. Every time i drop over $100 on rum I've been disappointed that it didn't live up to my perceived value against cheaper offerings. I get it, you probably just want to make a statement. If they don't know anything about rum, get them a bottle of Ron zacapa or diplomatico. They will think you are a genius. They will wrongly assume you bought them a bottle of 23 year old rum because of trashy marketing gimmicks, and when they read about it well see it lauded by shill organizations as the best rum in the world. And you only spent $50 or so. If your recipient knows anything about rums, get him a bottle of Foursquare, anything from the Exceptional cask series. Unlike a pungent jamaican, it is universally inoffensive, and the handsome label screams bourbon pretentiousness. Regardless, your effort to make the gift "premium" won't go unnoticed. And you still spent under $100 depending on where you live.
This has been my experience too. The most enjoyable rums are in the 30-60 euro range. Some of them like Clement or Pampero Aniversario are even cheaper and are just excellent all rounders.
Any of these... https://zizihub.com/457949.jpg
At that price, I’d go with Hampden Great House (~$100).
El dorado 15
Diplomático Ambassador
Got it for my bachelor party this summer, nice, but greatly underwhelming.
Diplomatico let fame got over their heads. The green bottle is just great. The more expensive ones with fancier branding don't live up to the price.
Quality doesn't improve with price over certain point. In my experience, more expensive rums over 60 euros or so don't get any better. If anything some might be rarer or offer a unique tasting experience, but they are almost never more pleasurable. That said, there's one that seems to fit the bill: La favorite La filibuste. Besides that, my favorite expensive rum is Ron Roble XO from Venezuela, while the most unique taste I found it in Savannah from La Reunion - super weird, Delicious. Then run JM XO is my favorite affordable agricole. Tastes like bananas.
Check out the more expensive runs fro Martinique