Kirk and Sweeney 18 Year Rum

Utterly fantastic. I have around 20 mid to top shelf rums and this may be the best of what I own and have tried. I come from a bourbon background and the subtle oak tannins this bottle delivers is well received by my palate. The nose is full of rich vanilla, spice, brown sugar, melted caramel candies, oak peel, dried fruit... and more. The palate is presented with an oak forward tannin that developed into a sweet vanilla and caramel that finished like a burnt molasses. A fantastic rum that is smoothed our it’s flavor profile while still retaining multiple levels of flavor to dissect.

Probably the best smelling spirit I’ve had. It smells full of spices, pretty much any warm scented candle (cinnamon roll, chocolate brownie, etc.) Tastes of deep fried bananas and the best Christmas cookies you’ve ever had. Had some sort of barrel funk to it that wasn’t off putting, I just couldn’t wrap my head around what it was. Also the smoothest spirit I’ve had with an interesting mouthfeel. Very smooth. No harshness whatsoever. Although faded pretty quickly.

The nose is truly amazing, I am smelling like caramelised grilled bananas but I am seing a liquor, amazing. Taste toffee, amazing smoothness with a little after burn, just to remind you you are drinking a 40% rum. Overall a fantastic rum when you know its sugar content to be so low, amazing (did I say amazing enough?). Sugar: 2 to 5 GPL

I love this rum, I’m always open to recommendations but the only thing better is their 23 year. Both have this incredible cookie dough profile on the palate. The 18 has that along with a bouquet of floral and fruit notes followed by lots of cooked vanilla and burnt sugar. I love to sip it or mix it. It’s great for either.

Nose: Smooth caramel and vanilla. And alcohol which isn't so groovy. Taste: A quick sip is plain sweetness. Longer gets alcohol heat with sweetness, minor vanilla & brown sugar. I'm seeing no significant difference compared to the 12-y.o. version. Works much better as a mixer. Rating is based on neat sipping.

This is delicious. It's not as smooth as other rums (there's a bit of burn as it goes down) but the flavor.... The rich vanilla notes are amazing. Bakery spices. And the vanilla it finishes with is so satisfying. Definitely a sweeter rum. Excellent if you like a sweet dessert rum.