Pyrat XO Reserve

Category: Dark
Country: Anguilla
Aged: 15 years
Alcohol: 40% (80 proof)
Availability: Almost Everywhere
Price: $28-$39 (750 mL)

Appearance (0-5): 5
Aroma (0-25): 21
Taste (0-35): 33
Smoothness (0-10): 8
Body (0-5): 5
Overall Quality (0-20): 18
Machete Rating (0-100): 90

Notes: I am not alone in considering Pyrat XO among the ten or so best rums under $30 in the world. Its warm, alluring aroma has a unique but not overpowering touch of fruity and spicy sweetness. The peppery bite and bit of harshness on the back of the throat was a little unexpected, but it seemed to enhance the overall complex variety of flavors of molasses, citrus (orange), vanilla, and maybe anise. Has an interesting overtone of whiskey. A splash of coke and a twist of lime balance out the slight bite to make an unbelievable, seemingly orange-kissed Cuba Libre (make sure to keep the drink at least half rum). This is as solid as rums go, and at an average price of $32, it's an incredible value (I actually recently bought two bottles - which I might add are perfectly squat, individually numbered, hand-blown glass with a cork topper, ribbon, medallion, and in an window-front wooden lock box - for an unbelievable $20 each). Among my personal favorites that I know I'll always have in stock - accounting for taste, price, and availability - is Pyrat XO Reserve.

Reviewed: May 2007