Zaya Gran Reserva 16

Sweet but complex nose: root beer, slight grape, brown sugar, vanilla, and white chocolate. But the most prominent, character-defining note (I kid you not) is the white candy stick found in a pouch of Fun Dip. Look it up if you didn't have a childhood; basically a hard sugary vanilla candy. The palate: a lot more vanilla with sweet tobacco, freshly-brewed sweet tea, sweet orange (it's a rather sweet rum), and then banana. This further evolves into mango first, and then plum midpalate, followed by banana candy. The marching development of these flavors is exquisite, and the secondary notes are just like experiencing the flavors of some tropical candy one after the other. There is very little change in the underlying heat or texture, only the flavors. The empty glass has a strong scent of vanilla extract and somehow nothing else, a technological marvel really. I've heard that Zaya used to be a lot better "back in the day", when the bottle had real rope around the neck, etc., and that this version is a terrible representation of its former glory. But if this is what rum past its prime tastes like, then I need to try more rum!

The aroma is richly layered. It begins with dark brown sugar and molasses, sugar plums, dates, and spice. Then, cocoa butter, Black and Mild cigar, and a hint of Bananas Foster with cinnamon comes through. Finally, oak barrel aged vanilla extract appears, and it just builds and builds. The vanilla eventually overpowers in a way reminiscent of Tonka bean heavy perfumes, and can even be detected after returning the cork to the bottle. The flavor is likewise rich, sweet, and spicy. A thin, burnt caramel presents initially, followed by more brown sugar, allspice, butter, and vanilla bean. The mouthfeel is slightly syrupy, full but not heavy by any means. The legs run quickly at first, hanging on like pulsing veins as droplets descend upon them like a rain chain before finally disappearing. Heavy, slow drops follow. More allspice and clove on the finish, plus semidry with mild oak tannins. As expected, gobs of vanilla and sweetness lingers, with maple sugar candies, plus some fruitiness that exibits itself in a flavor akin to Raisinets. Aroma: 8 Taste: 9 Body: 9 Finish: 8

Nose is vanilla, honey, mango, pineapple, and nectarine. Not overly sweet or fruity and very well balanced. The taste is exceptional. There is a mild burn but the taste is mostly sweet consisting of burnt sugar, vanilla, and honey. The finish is fairly long and ends with a bit of a toffee note. Not sure its worth the money as there are other offerings like El Dorado 15 year, Plantation XO, Flor de Cana 15 year that are all cheaper and better. Nonetheless, it is a good rum and I am glad to own a bottle. Overall: Nose - 3.75/5; Taste - 4.0/5; Overall 3.75/5 Repurchase: Only if I see it on sale Type: Special Occasion

Nice vanilla scent with a floral & allspice hint. Smooth and slightly oily with a sort of thickness to it. Tastes of vanilla and spice. Dried plum and something else...dark raisin?...near the finish and lingering in taste, reminding me of exotic tropical fruit. Floral and allspice after-taste. Good coloration, similar to A&W Root Beer but with more brown. My wife -- who is from Trinidad -- really likes this with Pepsi. It does go well as a mixer. This is a good sipper! Rating is based on neat sipping.

What the hell happened to this brand? This is super sickly cloying vanilla bomb trash. Gone is anything resembling the great sipper of old. The viscosity now makes it seem like frosting dissolved in canola oil. And a giant fuck you for the tricky 16 YEARS label preceded by “a blend of runs up to” in micro print. I hate gimmicks and I hate Diageo and I hate this rum

I read various review about Zaya, so during the Holidays, I purchased a bottle of Zaya 16. My expectations were to be something similar to Diplomatico Gran Reserva, but what I got was a mouth full of spices, and tart. I tried on ice, and not much improvement. Some of my friends liked it, but I guess this one is not for me. I left it with my friend to enjoy.