Gold Rums, also called amber rums, are medium-bodied rums that are generally aged about 3 years (añejo rums are aged for more than 3 and up to 10 years, and may be considered dark rums depending on color) in wooden barrels, usually charred oak barrels that have been previously used to age a different spirit such as whiskey or sherry. Gold rums are richer flavored, deeper colored (naturally through aging or from the addition of caramel) and mellower than light rums.
Category: Gold
Country: St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
Aged: 2 years
Alcohol: 40% (80 proof)
Availability: Everywhere
Price: $10-$13 (750 mL)
Appearance (0-5): 3
Aroma (0-25): 16
Taste (0-35): 23
Smoothness (0-10): 5
Body (0-5): 4
Overall Quality (0-20): 13
Machete Grade (0-100): 64
Notes: Don't let the name fool you, Cruzan Estate Dark is actually a gold rum - both in its younger age and golden/amber appearance. Medicinal alcohol and vanilla with a light touch of varnish on the nose. Allowed to breathe, the rum releases very sweet molasses and caramel aromas. Simple tastes of vanilla, caramel, pepper and oak - somewhat similar to Cruzan's 151, though not nearly as sweet and obviously not nearly as strong. Light- to medium-bodied with a mildly harsh yet short finish. Brown sugar and sour orange aftertaste. Generally uncomplicated. It's surprisingly not bad neat. On the rocks, its almost grainy texture gives way to a more silky mouthfeel - and a very slight cinnamon flavor appears. Far from ideal as a sipping rum, it'll do when short on options. It gets absolutely lost mixed with coke and in weak drinks, but at the right ratio, it's quite tasty. This easily beats Bacardi Gold, its primary competition at the price range. I'd much prefer to spend the extra $5 for a bottle of Cruzan's 5-year Estate Diamond, though. Cruzan Estate Dark is a bit short on flavors and smoothness, but this bargain rum is a solid choice for parties.
Category: Gold
Country: Dominican Republic
Aged: 2-6 years
Alcohol: 40% (80 proof)
Availability: Limited
Price: $13-$18 (750 mL)
Appearance (0-5): 5
Aroma (0-25): 16
Taste (0-35): 26
Smoothness (0-10): 5
Body (0-5): 4
Overall Quality (0-20): 14
Machete Rating (0-100): 70
Notes: All bottles of Brugal rum come encased in a thin braided and crosshatched yellow rope, which gives it a unique and appropriate touch of class. It pours with fair weight and has a medium amber color. The nose has an overtone of enamel and is rich with caramel, molasses, and maybe a touch of butterscotch, which are all identified in the flavor. The bite is very present when sipped neat but somewhat softened when on ice, which releases a faint buttery taste. It's a little too dry, but overall this is a good rum. It can be enjoyed on the rocks or mixed with coke or other liqueurs. Brugal Añejo is better than most commonly found golds, and is decently-priced rum that's well worth looking for.
Reviewed: May 2007
Category: Gold
Country: Puerto Rico
Aged: Unknown
Alcohol: 40% (80 proof)
Availability: Everywhere
Price: $11-$14 (750 mL)
Appearance (0-5): 3
Aroma (0-25): 16
Taste (0-35): 15
Smoothness (0-10): 4
Body (0-5): 2
Overall Quality (0-20): 9
Machete Rating (0-100): 49
Notes: The light amber color in the bottle looks promising, but when poured it's a bit thin and cheap and a little uinviting. On its own the soft molasses and spice aroma is not bad, but once the sucker hits your lips, it's all downhill. It's harsh (not quite 'mellow and smooth' as the label would have you believe) and has no specific flavors except maybe standard molasses and wood, which is overpowered by a general taste of alcohol. The burn carries down your throat where it finds a soft seat in your belly and starts preperations for a hangover party. Neat and on the rocks, not surprisingly, are horrible and not how this rum should be drank (drunk?). And despite it being such a standard in frat house rum and cokes (I know it was a staple of my liquid diet once upon a time), I don't think it even cooperates that well with sodas. In mixed drinks where it can blend with other spirits, such as Zombies, it's fine. Though overall, even for party drinks, there are better options at around the same price (e.g. Flor de Caña Gold).
Reviewed: May 2007
Category: Gold
Country: Nicaragua
Aged: 4 years
Alcohol: 40% (80 proof)
Availability: Almost Everywhere
Price: $13-$16 (750 mL)
Appearance (0-5): 4
Aroma (0-25): 16
Taste (0-35): 25
Smoothness (0-10): 6
Body (0-5): 4
Overall Quality (0-20): 14
Machete Rating (0-100): 69
Notes: I paid $13 for this bottle? It's an unexpectedly smooth, fairly simple rum. Slightly sweet, not very peppery, small pleasant bite, and maybe a little dry - it's just a generally mellow, simple Gold with a fairly smooth, buttery finish. It was okay on the rocks, though I prefer Flor de Caña's Black, Gran Reserva, and Centenario for sipping. Works as a base for a dirty Mojito, but it's pretty tasty mixed with coke - makes for a classier Cuba Libre than the price range is used to. And for any drink recipes that require gold rum, this guy is a winner. Flor de Caña Gold won't blow you away, but for the price, it's hard to beat. Not to mention that this is their starting point - their others get incrementally better with age. A solid, all-purpose rum that's well worth having around.
Reviewed: May 2007
