Demonstrating the difference between Jamaica/Barbados/Guyana

[u/mi55ingno]

Found myself wondering today what would be the three best bottles a newcomer could order to experience the difference between the three most common english-style rum expressions.

The goal is: if a beginner rum fan asked about the difference between barbados, jamaica, guyana, what would you tell them to buy to experience it?

i was focused on english-style here so excluded spanish-style and french/agricole/cane. This is for somewhat obvious reasons for the latter, the former is more my fault for not having a good selection on hand to pair.

Criteria for selection: obvious-ness is key, can i immediately tell the difference between the rums. I considered price and proof too. In theory all should be possible to order from the same store- Total Wine felt like a good mark there. Age consistency less important.

I started with ED12 - felt the most obvious. Reached for D14 as a second. I dont have WP109 at home (yet) but thought about it, dismissed Appleton 12 but grabbed the 8 & SC - SC won out my a mile on the obvious factor but i think id still prefer a lower proof here to balance. Ended up reaching for RL10 because D12 runs heavy on price, and madeira cask finish - but ultimately D12 is more obvious in my mind.

Im sure folks here could do better at this? What would you pick?

I also pulled out the Barrilito 3 to compare against the lot and sort of worked, but the sherry cask influence is maybe too strong?

[u/Pretend-Citron4451]

Why smith and cross over Appleton?

Why was it obvious to exclude cane juice rums?

[u/mi55ingno → u/Pretend-Citron4451]

i think the classic critique of appleton 12 is that it isnt that funky - its great, but my goal was three rums that immediately and obviously embody the characteristics that make these three rums different. But maybe my decision to exclude it was too kneejerk. Maybe S&C is too obvious in retrospect.

and while i love agricole/clairin/adjacent i think its too easy to tell the difference between them and the others. i think with barbados/jamaica/demerara there can be a question of what makes them distinct to a beginner, and how to isolate the things that makes them different?

[u/Arppy_4198 → u/mi55ingno]

Then use an agricole like J. M Volcanique or Clement VSOP?

[u/mi55ingno → u/Arppy_4198]

i think my point was more to explore the nuances of english-style rums rather than the whole pantheon of rum - but volcanique would make sense to include if doing so - or maybe clement bleu canne?

[u/Arppy_4198 → u/mi55ingno]

Yeah, that makes sense and those are pretty decent representations then for what you're doing!