Kirkland Port Cask Finished Panama 12-Year

Smell: Surprisingly caramel forward for an aged rum. A shot glass of this is like a little cup of molasses. Mild and pleasant smelling.

Taste: Wow. When it hits the front of your tongue you'll get a seemingly natural mild sweetness. I expected much heavier based on the smell. There's also a light bitterness that helps balance it. And a burn. Really, surprisingly hot for only lightly overproof.

I can't say much about the flavor, like vanilla or whatever. It tastes of molasses rum with a mild vinyl flavor and a strong burn that covers up any thing else. I don't mean this in a bad way.

It's a LOT like Bacardi Ocho (8-year) but hotter and with milder vinyl/chemical flavor and almost none of the unpleasant odor that comes with it. I tasted the two side by side just to confirm this.

I made a tiki cocktail (Red-nosed Zebra) that called for Bacardi 8. I found it to be a great substitute at the price. The similar-to-Bacardi chemical taste does punch through more than when sipped straight, but it works quite well.

Would I buy it again when in need of an aged rum for cocktails? Definitely if it specifically called for aged Bacardi or Puerto Rican rum (although I've yet to try Bacardi 4/10 or Don Q 7). Price-wise it does quite well with more character than Plantation 5-year and less unpleasantness than true Bacardi 8-year.

Would I drink this as an old fashion? I'll update when I do.

For now I say 8/10 only because of the price. If it was $30+ it would be a 7.

Red-Nosed Zebra (From Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar)
1-1/2 oz Bacardi 8 rum
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz agave nectar
1/2 oz strawberry purée
Garnish the top of the crushed ice with 3 cranberries and 2 mint sprigs configured to look like a holly leaf and berries.

Maple syrup strong on the nose. No hint of added sugar.

Very surprised how much I liked this. Reasonably priced sipper. Definitely a keeper.

I really like this. The port cask gives it a little richness, but doesn't overwhelm the rum. It has a very nice color to it. The nose is delicious and pretty complex. Drinks great, punchy up front with a dry, oaky medium length finish. . You don't get nearly as much sherry as expected. The nose was probably the best part of this drink. Definitely worth the price tag though. If you're looking for something sweeter with more of the sherry notes, I'd go for Dos Maderas 5+5 instead.

Not a bad rum, expected a bit more for 12 years and port finish. The finish is very subtle and adds a bit of complexity, but it's still kind of one note overall. Overall perfectly acceptable for the price but I don't think I'd go out of my way for it.