conundRUM

[Blandy_UK]

So, yesterday I popped into one of the local supermarkets who do a particularly good beef madras, I grabbed a good bottle of red plonk (I am a fan)..and as i was meandering through the spirit isle..on my way out...with no intention of buying anything else..

I spotted a rum called Havanna Club 7.
Now, I am not entirely unschooled in spirits, I love my single malts whether they be from Islay, speyside or orkney. I genuinely appreciate quality XO Cognac..its like Christmas all over again. I have looked in previous months on TWE for reasonably priced rum, as its always something I've never tried..but would like to - and I saw this rum, got pretty darned good reviews - which aint bad for ?21 a bottle right?

Anyway - lets cut to the chase, I bought it, I've opened it. I tried it - and i find it even more underwhelming than the bombasso I just smoked!
It's the sort of spirit that I can imagine would make a decent cocktail..but thats not what I am looking for.

So can anyone reccomend me a great bottle of rum, bursting with flavours which can be drunk neat? I expect it to match up to a single malt of equivalent value..in it's own way!

[senor_robusto]

okay, i'm not a rum aficionado, but i'm quite partial to havana club 7 year old (especially neat with some ice)! i'm also partial to my havana club anejo especial (especially in a cuba libre)!! i've always found they pair nicely with cuban cigars (i don't smoke NC's) and have never found that they overwhelm the cigar!! again, it's nice stuff for around the ?20 mark!! i can also recommend appleton estate VX jamaican rum for around the same price!! ron zacapa solera 23 is what most on here drink with a cigar, but pricey at ?56 a bottle!! you're a bit late to the party with this one, tesco was doing it recently for ?22 a bottle, if memory serves me correctly!!

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/B-339-Appleton.aspx
http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/twe...x?q=ron+zacapa

hope this helps,

alex

[Blandy_UK]

Thanks Alex - I really wanted to love this! Infact, I think the fact that I'd read so many great reviews, without ever tasting it for myself possibly heightened the expectation above where it should have been.
The bottle will definitely not be wasted, I'm going to find my favorite Rum based cocktails and try my hand at mixology - I love mojoto's and the missus hates them - thats defintely a win-win

Has anyone here tried the 23 who also appreciates single malts? I can't help but worry that for that price I could buy a bottle of Highland park 18!

[senor_robusto]

lol, it would be a crime to waste such a great drink!! either way, you'll find a use for it somewhere!! also, i've tried my ron zacapa, it is nice...... pretty sweet!! would never pay full price for it, glad i got it when it was on offer!! if i had've paid full price, then i would've been greatly disappointed!!

again, give the appleton estate vx a go!! that sound's like it may suit your taste!!

and finally, i am a single malt lover! given the choice, our very own juice of the barley wins every time for me!! never had the highland park yet, in any of it's expressions!!

alex