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Now, I appreciate that this is a very difficult question but here goes. My dad has asked for a bottle of rum for Christmas, no other information, nothing, nadda!
So, I need to pick something that hopefully he'll like. Unfortunately, I don't really drink, so have no clue at all. I've read a couple of older threads from 4-5 years ago and have seen Mount Gay Black Barrel or Appletons 12yo suggested.
Anything else I should be looking at for up to £35?? TIA
Edit: should have said available from Amazon if possible.
Amazon have Diplomático on sale at £36.
That Diplomatico is very nice.
Also tesco sell 'flur de cana' (sic) the 5 yr old that comes in a big HP sauce style bottle is really nice for about £16. However it isnt a patch on the Diplomatico
Ian
Diplomático is also £36 at Majestic Wine... bought it last week for a friend, considering going back for myself
I'm by no means an expert but can heartily recommend the Salford Dark Spiced rum. Its on Amazon at £26 with 4.5 stars, likewise on Masters of Malt. Interesting bottle too.
I've never really enjoyed rum...
Diplomatico? ... maybe I need to give it another try! 🙂
Start point is...navy (dark) rum or caribbean (either light or dark)?
I haven't been anywhere near the former for decades - and would be happy if that never changed.
My preferences for caribbean rum comprise a very short list - Seleccion de Maestros from Havana Club but it's about £50, stocked by Waitrose; Ron Santiago de Cuba either 8/11/12 yr old - the 8 & 11 are in your price range but the 12 is about £50.
Always been a fan of Mount Gay since discovering it over 20 years ago. Appleton's is also nice. So if they have the posh versions of those in your local supermarket, grab them.
Doorlys 12 or 14 year old.
If he's a coffee fan also then I'd recommend the Dead Man's Fingers Coffee Rum available on Amazon.
(I'll wait to be told that DMF stuff is too commercial and not proper rum shortly)
Diplomático
Don't know anyone who likes rum who doesn't like this.
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Another vote for Doorly’s - there’s an XO that’s really good. El Dorado 12 year old is another good choice in the budget. I find Diplomatico quite sweet, but this time of year, makes a pudding substitute.
Seeing the Amazon preference, I’d vote for the Appleton 12.
The bottles do not last long tho - be warned.
Sipping rum or cocktails?
If he’s a coffee fan also then I’d recommend the Dead Man’s Fingers Coffee Rum available on Amazon.
(I’ll wait to be told that DMF stuff is too commercial and not proper rum shortly)
Dead Mans Fingers gives me massive headachey hangovers.
As a non-rum drinker I was given a bottle of Greedy Fox which is distilled by a local friend of a friend. It caramel and honeycombed infused so probably not going to satisfy the purist, but it was hands done one of the most moreish drinks I’ve ever had and more will be consumed this Christmas.
Thanks for all the suggestions, Diplomático is looking the favourite so far.
@shermer75 I'm going to assume sipping, I didn't even know he was into rum till this request and his wife just shrugged her shoulders when I asked what sort!
MrsV got me a bottle of Woods Navy Rum a while ago. I've nicknamed it Rum-hipnol as it seems to almost instantly trigger sleepy-time
I like Dead Man's Fingers too, mainly just the standard spiced in the black bottle but the coffee one is nice too.
Also have a bottle of the Barrel Aged Twin Fin on the go at the mo which is going down very nicely indeed, tends to be about £38 most places though.
Why not go for some Scottish rum courtesy of Kit who used to be on here in the past. https://www.ninefolddistillery.com/
He has built a business and distills rum. It's fantastic.
I like the powerful stuff, most of which all the Connoisseurs on here will say tastes like shellac. Except Cut to the Overproof, which I like a lot.
Available from Masters of Malt, £38.99.
If you want a very special, and very drinkable rum hunt down a bottle of El Dorado 21 year old.
Not cheap, and created in the very special place for rum production.
The distillery in Georgetown is the last of many that were in Guyana, using the sugar from the Demerara River region. They have 6 stills that were acquired from the other distilleries that were shutting down over many years.
Go on, treat your Dad...
I've been working in Guyana for a few years now, so have enjoyed a fair bit of this.
https://theeldoradorum.com/
Rumbullion is wonderful, assuming they like spiced rum. Majestic have the best price atm I think.
Why not go for some Scottish rum courtesy of Kit who used to be on here in the past. https://www.ninefolddistillery.com/
He has built a business and distills rum. It’s fantastic.
This.
Don't be put off by the white rum for being white - it's great for sipping or cocktails. The spiced and cask aged are also genuine craft products and deeeeliscious.
Helped a mate build his garden office and as a thank you, I was given a bottle of this,
https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/kirk-sweeney-12-year-old-rum-70cl
Appletons 12 year old used to be my favourite since they stopped importing Lemonheart but this is very nice.
Dark Matter rum is meant to be quite nice but as im not a rum drinker i cant say for sure.
https://www.darkmatterdistillers.com/
not sure why the link went like that mind you
Not sure if anyone’s mentioned Kracken yet? That’s very good.
Re Mount Gay, I think Black Barrel has become less smooth of late, I’d be going for the XO.
I have to say while over budget Plantation XO is a very special drop.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plantation-XO-20th-Anniversary-Rum/dp/B008VG00BO?th=1
captmorgan - with your user name you're recommending the wrong product!
Not sure if anyone’s mentioned Kracken yet? That’s very good.
Came here to say this. Though I'm far from an expert.
Kraken coffee was 20 quid in sainsbury's yesterday. I quite like it.
Think I'm just going to flip a coin, or pick the one with the prettiest label 🙂
Dark Matter rum is meant to be quite nice but as im not a rum drinker i cant say for sure.
As a rum drinker I can confirm it's quite lovely.
Avoid a spiced rum unless you know he likes it. I started off on it but not a huge fan now I’ve discovered proper rum.
Diplomatico is one of my favourites, but have a recent liking for Equaino, a blend of Caribbean and African rum from Mauritius. Plantation as mentioned above is also to my taste.
Careful of anything XO. As much as it has its fans, I find them a bit much. Wife bought me Mount Gay XO and I could taste it in burps well into the next day. Had to stop drinking it if I was riding the following day!
Can of worms asking for recommendations for a rum!
As above, I have my own rum distillery, but won't be recommending my own stuff as it's against forum rules 😉
It's important to know what your Dad usually drinks - is he a spirits drinker? Also, is he diabetic? Most of the rums recommended above are sweetened, some heavily (hence why they're so 'smooth', 'moreish', and bad hangover inducing.
The safe bet is probably The Duppy Share at around £26. You can pick it up in Morrisons or Asda, and through Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Duppy-Share-Golden-Caribbean-Rum/dp/B00N1YI01I/ref=sr_1_5 It's a very easy going blend of Caribbean rums from Barbados and Jamaica and is a great introduction to 'proper' rums (not the sugared Diplomatico, Flor de Cana, Plantation etc.) and it's an absolute steal for the price.
Appleton Estate 12 is nice, but quite woody with lots of banana so not sure if that would suit your Dad.
Mount Gay XO is great but over your budget, so the Mount Gay Black Barrel looks a good alternative (but never tried it myself).
The above depends on his taste though. If he's got a sweet tooth then pick any of the recommendations from others, he'll likely enjoy them.
If in doubt, check out the reviews at The Fat Rum Pirate https://thefatrumpirate.com/rum-reviews
+1 for Barti Ddu - something a bit different (infused with Pembrokeshire seaweed) and very sippable!
@Kit that's really informative, thanks. I have no idea what he likes and I'm not sure he does! I'm actually seeing him tonight, last minute thing, so will drop a couple of hints.
@fathomer does he drink whisky or other spirits? Get him to show you his collection 😉
Not sure if anyone’s mentioned Kracken yet? That’s very good.
It's more of a daily rum, than a special occasion rum.
I’m partial to Red Leg. Either the vanilla or caramelised pineapple.
Boy1 had a bottle of Lambs Spiced Rum for his birthday. It’s surprisingly very nice.
For non spiced I’d go for something from Mount Gay. Spend as much as you’d prefer, not had a bad one yet.
Can also recommend the Kirk and Sweeney, comes in a nice bottle as well.
Out of interest how do the experienced rum drinkers on here drink it?
i.e. neat or with mixers? = if the latter what is good?
Neat for me, or ice and a slice of orange.
Or…..if it’s a bottle one of my family have bought me, mixed with a Diet Coke. Mainly as per the top though.
Cornish Distillery Company.
Because…
It’s flipping lovely.
It’s made from raw ingredients, start to finish, by a man who is absolutely passionate about Rum
Ok, I’ll confess, because it’s part of the small group of brands that I work for, I was in there today mending a pump for him.
It is really good.
Sorry, couldn’t add link.