Zaya Grande Reserva 16-Year

Vanilla, molases hints in smell. A lot of charred/burned wood flavor and defitinely sweet. It does burn a bit, quite unexpectedly as sweet rum tend to be milder. It's only above average...

This is very sweet and has a sharp vanilla and cola flavor. Not enjoyable neat at all. I didnt even finish this bottle. It even overwhelmed a can of Coke.

I’m still new here so take it as you will. Sweet flavoring with a hint of molasses and definitely vanilla forward. Cant hep but look past a kind of artificial taste at first the fades as you go, especially over a bit of ice or a dash of cola on top.

I found Zaya to be a smooth, mild (not pungent), rum. It doesn't pack a lot of character but that is OK. It's easy to drink and has a nice vanilla forward taste and nose. I found those vanilla notes worked well in some drinks, where such flavors are desired.
However, I didn't find it to be the best sipper. Here I found the vanilla notes a bit cloying at points.

It is a well packaged product, the marketing team did its job. Unfortunately, the product doesn't live up to the packaging. The 16 year label is very misleading given it is a solera rum, and it certainly does not have the flavor profile of an aged spirit. Kind of one dimensional in taste, too sweet, but not objectionable. It goes well with a strong fruit juice and makes for a decent quick cocktail.

I did not enjoy this. This batch tasted like PVC as if it had been run through a new garden hose. Even tried mixing with it, but ultimately poured it down the drain.

I can understand why some do not like this rum. It is very sweet and is comparable in terms of niche it fills to Bumbu original. This rum is amazing for mixing with its sweet molasses flavor with strong hints of vanilla. I prefer this to Bumbu for mixing as this I find to be a more rich and less fruity taste. Some people have an issue spending this much for what essentially is a premium mixing rum. That depends on you. However, for me, this is a fair deal for what to me is the best rum to mix there is.

I was attracted to the deep, rich looking color and reading that it was a blend of rums aged UP TO 16 years. Initially, the aroma was a very strong vanilla, but I detected like others mention a sense of disinfectant...maybe just too strong on the vanilla, but it turned my nose. The first taste was strong and sweet, almost a burnt caramel...it did mellow as the ice melted. I was hoping for much better!

For the price point, this is an exquisite sipper.
Rich, notes of banana and a certain floral hint nicely complimented by a lingering burn. Very nice mouth feel as well, it hits all of the taste buds you'd want from a sipper. This was my first true introduction to Trinidadian Rum. Enjoy neat or over large mold ice.

Very nice, very smooth. Light on the nose, smooth going down and a small lingering taste on the back end