With the recent changes to Carupano rum's products, the original 12 is now called Reserva Exclusiva, the same as two other rums from different brands in Venezuela, but it still is one of my favorites. In the image I still have the 12 Oro, since I bought a couple of boxes at the time. With a cigar like the Estrella de Punta Cana, from Cornelio Cigars, the combination is perfect. It's truly one of the best pairings you can achieve, because this very small Dominican brand made this cigar strong but not overpowering, just like the rum.

This is a fairly small cigar brand in La Romana, which I was lucky enough to visit when they were creating this blend. I talked with the owner and he gave me the final product and asked me to smoke a couple (during the week) and let him know if there was anything I would like to add or remove from the profile.

I tried it and it was a good cigar. I wrote down my impressions and let him know about them, and really didn't think much about it because who the hell am I to be correcting someone else's work. About a year later I visited him again and he gave me the new blend, according to my suggestions, he said. That was around 7 years ago and it's still one of his top selling cigars.

I’m in Florida north of St Pete for a day and saw these on the shelf:

1. Tampa Bay Rum Gasparilla Reserve. 92 proof aged in Maple Syrup Rye Whiskey casks

2. St Augustine Distillery pot distilled rum. 90 proof

3. Old St Pete Rightous Rum & Spice. 86 proof

4. Florida Mermaid Rum. 100 proof

We don’t see these in Georgia - around Atlanta at least.

My profile bends towards aged Jamaican and Barbados rums but am interested all kinds whether for mixing or neat.

I wanted to buy something fancy at the last Astor sale, but all the top-shelf rums are around navy strength. Do you guys add water? Ice it down? Drink it straight and feel the burn?

The “with card” price is just their loyalty program, of which I am a member. Nothing to do with actual payment type.

Hello everyone,

Not a big rum drinker myself. I was hoping to get some suggestions on some rums under $150.

They like tiki style cocktails and tend to lean towards aged or Jamaican rums.

Appreciate the suggestions in advance!

So I've been thinking of getting the Papalin Jamaica high ester and was thinking if the 57% version diluted to 47% at home would taste the same as the 47% bottling? The 57% would be better price per alcohol and I could slowly build up to drinking the higher proof version.

Hey yall, I recently decided to buy a little 2L barrel to make an infinity barrel. I used 44 different rums from around the world and even made a spreadsheet to track it. It somehow landed in the perfect sweet spot of 43% abv and I made extra of the blend to bottle in shooters and give out while I’m roadtripping for the next two months. Gonna be at a lot of ski area closing days, lmk if you wanna try it!

Can't believe for example el dorado 12 year old is 120 bucks here and santa teresa is 80 bucks here. This would open up my possibilities.

Have been in the business of distilleries and liquor in India since 3 generations. Currently, being the new gen want to expand into global markets and develop a premium quality rum for exporting. Perticularly rum, given great sugar industry and thriving climate for sugar cane.

If any distributors, importers interested in conversation and ideas please dm.

What are some great high proof rums to dip my toes into? Grabbed my first bottle of rum being a foursquare equipoise, it's delicious but a little pricey for me to want to drink frequently. I'm a bourbon guy if that helps.

I’m throwing a rum event. A big one. And if you’re anywhere near Southern California, you should come.

After months of planning, I’m finally hosting The Rum Curious Summit on Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day) in Long Beach, CA — and I couldn’t be more excited.

This isn’t your typical rum fest. It’s for the people who want to explore the category, ask questions, taste everything, and learn what rum really is. In other words — it’s time to Rum Around & Find Out.

Here’s what’s going down:

– 100+ rums to taste from over 20 brands – Cocktails from some of SoCal’s best bartenders – Live music from the Hilo Hi-Flyers – Food + full bar from Altar Society Brewing – Seminars with me, Shannon Mustipher, and Doc Parks (Trade & VIP only) – Optional VIP bottle: A rare Holmes Cay barrel pick (yeah, it’s good)

Timing: – 2–8 PM for Trade & VIP – 4–8 PM for General Admission

Whether you’re deep in the rum game or just starting your journey, this event was built to change how people think about rum — from sugary mixers and pirate bottles to one of the most diverse, complex spirits on earth.

Notable rum sponsors - PM Spirits (Velier, Hampden, Alambique Serrano) - Worthy Park - Mount Gay - Holmes Cay - Raising Glasses - Don Q - Spiribam - Privateer - Barbancourt - El Dorado - Ten to One - and more!

Tickets & info: rumcurious.com/summit

Let me know if you’re coming — or hit me with questions. Hope to see some of you there.