Pyrat XO Reserve

I really struggled with this one. When I first opened the bottle, it had a very strong artificial orange smell that (like others mentioned) smelled like a cheap cleaner. I wasn't impressed, so it just sat in my collection for over a year... This time when I tried it, the orange smell was almost gone! So... my review of an opened / aged bottle: This rum has a rich amber colour with strong orange overtones. It has a fairly strong alcohol smell, and tastes a bit strong, but doesn't burn. It is a very unique tasting rum, with a slight "orange candy" flavour. While OK straight, it made an excellent, nice/different rum and cola! Not so bad after all.

This rum has a citrus element, little heavy for me. It's light and can be refreshing with a cube or two.

I enjoy this rum and think it's actually pretty smooth. On the rocks (I use a lot of ice) I find a slight hint of grapefruit (most here say it's orange) and think it's sips great.

À venir prochainement..............................

Artificial orange in the nose and in the mouth. Industrial alcool in the nose and in the mouth. Maybe as a kind of finisher after a very heavy caribbean meal? Might go with a very light cigar, too. But, after all, not really to my taste.

It's just a really good rum and it is my gold standard for a "mixing rum." Ice cold, with Coke, or in a mixed drink this rum works with anything, incorporates very well and accents its flavors when mixed. That's why it gets a 9. I keep my bottle in the freezer...its my go-to mixing rum.

I can't believe all the negative reviews. No, its not for most to drink on the rocks and drinking it neat is not going to work at all. This is NOT a sipper... But, this rum is the taste of the Caribbean in a bottle. It balances to the sweeter molasses and citrus/orange side of the spectrum but its still got a lot of bite to it. Spice is not the centerpiece of this rum. But, it is a fantastic alternative to all the spicier or flavorless aged mixing rums out there.

Discoverd this one while on a business trip in CA. Love the taste, fresh oranges a bit sweeter. Good stuff!

I have to add that I tried it again while tasting other rum and the taste was somewhat horrible... So I dont know... lol

When I think of a nice rum to serve straight up, it has to be Pyrat XO. Hands Down the finest sipper to date. Why the NLC is no longer offering this fine spirit must come down to price.

I make sure that I always have a few bottles around. I find this to be a very good value rum. Love it and I always look forward to having a glass. Nice sweetness, smooth, nice finish.

This rum was recommended to me by a friend as something I might and enjoy, and he wasn't far off. While not exactly what I'm looking for, it's unique and well crafted enough to earn a place on my bar. The orange that takes center stage for so many isn't as pronounced for me. Nor do I find much vanilla. I think what many describe as vanilla, I would characterize more as honey. While sweet, this rum has a dry side. I would characterize this rum as being "bright" in taste if that makes any sense. I can see how for some people this is an ideal sipper, but not my ideal. But I would take this over a lot of other offerings. For me this is more of a mixer, especially with fruit juices. And the bottle gives a nice historic flair to any bar. Now that I've finished one, I've cleaned off the labels and using it to house some Gosling's 151.