I’m looking for exactly one rum for my alcohol collection that I can enjoy 1-2 times a month for an evening. I’m a beginner, but in the end it doesn’t really matter anyway, since I usually dilute the alcohol with a bit of water to enjoy it, like I do with whisky ^^
Now I’ve seen that the Foursquare ECS XXVII Equidem 2010 is highly rated for 150 euros, as well as the RA New Yarmouth 1994 NYC #205 0.5l 66.5% vol. Jamaica Artesanal Rum for 165 euros. Both have risen significantly in price in recent weeks.
Are these the 2 that give you the most quality and enjoyment for the money, and are these prices still okay, or can you get something “better” in quality for a connoisseur for 1-2 evenings a month given the price increase?
Have you ever thought about trying a few samples first? I’d be happy to put together a «tasting set» of different rums in 3cl or 5cl for you. Price-wise, of course, there are no limits.
PS: I can also offer you an Equidem as a whole bottle.
I think you know yourself that the question of ‘better quality’ for the money is not really answerable, since it’s all highly subjective. But let me throw two bottles into the ring
the ED Albion (RX120) is priced significantly higher (around 260 EUR), but it’s one that will definitely bring a smile to your face every single time
priced significantly cheaper (65 EUR) on the other hand is for example the Bellamys MDR 2012 (RX12164), there’s incredibly good value for money there
I’d also recommend tasting sets, especially for beginners.
For me personally, the ratings on RumX and in the forum help, but ratings aren’t everything.
There are bottles and entire categories that I can’t get into at all despite high ratings, and there are categories and bottles that I really love despite mediocre ratings (7-7.5), though anything under 7.0 points is usually a convincing warning sign.
Price is an indicator, but nothing more. I have rums in the 20-30€ range that really do it for me, and I know highly praised, expensive rums that do nothing for me.
That’s why samples: first find out what really resonates with you. If it turns out (like for me) that great bottles are often under 35€, you can be happy and skip the three-digit prices.
Check out Oliver’s latest video on the best rums under 50 euros. You should find what you’re looking for there (e.g., the El Dorado 15). Whatever you do, don’t spend 100€ or more yet—that would just be throwing money away at this point, because your taste buds simply aren’t ready for it, even if you dilute the rum. And you should also figure out from the start whether you’re into the sweet stuff or not. There are rum drinkers who stick with sweet their whole lives, and then there are others (probably the majority) who switch to unsweetened at some point.
I also think either get samples, preferably from different countries and at most 12 years old. Or you take for example an English Harbour 5 years. It doesn’t cost much but delivers good performance. I’m also not a fan of reaching straight for the top shelf when you don’t know your way around a category, which is no shame at all. You can simply do too much wrong that way.
In the 100-200€ price range, the variety of rum is simply fantastic. If it’s supposed to be a 50cl or 70cl bottle, that’s really difficult because, unlike whisky, the flavor and aroma spectrum is so broad that you can end up with two completely different profiles. Rum really isn’t all the same.
Perhaps to start, it could also be a Navy Blend, for example from the Black Tot Master Blender series. They’re approachable, with different rum proportions, and are visually appealing.
If you want to decide between one of the two you’ve picked out, I’d probably recommend Foursquare, since many bourbon drinkers say they got into rum through Foursquare. That seems to fit. There are also cheaper alternatives though, like the Doorly’s 14.
Otherwise, I can only agree with the other posts here. Have a sample set put together for you and see what tastes best to you, then invest accordingly.
And remember… once you’ve fallen for rum, there’s no going back
