The smell coming off this is rich and complex. There's first a hint of fruit, like being in a farmers market in summer, then there's the rich smell of hand made chewy caramels with walnuts. Over a bit of time, the aroma opens up more, offering raisins, and figs. There is a green wood smell, like splitting fresh cut logs that haven't been seasoned. First impression, caramel, burnt brown sugar, orange zest, and a nice warming sensation. It's not overly sweet. There's a richness akin to Amontillado, or some other medium sweet sherry. Even sipping this, I go back to the nose, it is magical. There is a fruit juice quality to this that I've only gotten from Irish whiskey, and some Speyside Scotches before. The oak tannins give a pleasant bitterness, and impart a vanilla, and toasted oak depth. The finish is like the cracked top of crème brulee, charred sugar, and caramel. At the end, just after swallowing, there is a taste of a perfectly ripe banana. This one doesn't have overwhelming notes of baking spices, there is some allspice, and ginger. I read one review that said this was the "single malt of rums", I have to agree, it's not about the strong molasses notes, or throwing the spice cupboard at you. This is balanced, there's lots of fruit, there's oak, and there's even some malt. As someone coming to rum from whisky, this is so familiar, yet refreshingly different too. If it were slightly higher proof, this would be damn near perfect. 95/100
About this bottle
Announced February 2019, this Pusser's 15 Year rum replaces the previous 15 Year iteration from the brand. That version used a column-still rum from Trinidad which is no longer available to Pusser's. As a result, this rum has been reformulated to use rums exclusively from Guyana. In addition, the bottle has been updated and repackaged to showcase its new formula.
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 4 parsed reviews.
Smells rich and complex with notes of molasses, raisins, and a savory note that I cannot quite pinpoint - which carries into the flavor as well which tastes like mincemeat. A great sipping rum that is rich yet has a thin body with a medium long finish.
Pretty solid rum. Not as good as the old Pussers used to be. Feels a little bland after having scotch. Wouldn’t buy again.
Sweet style rum, nice floral taste and a slight alcoholic afterburn taste.
Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.