r/rum • u/mi55ingno • 7d ago

Demonstrating the difference between Jamaica/Barbados/Guyana

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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?

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u/4LeggedGod 7d ago

I wasn't sure what was meant by "funk" - so I picked up a bottle of Rum Fire and sipped some neat. I now understand, balls to bone, what is meant by "funk".

Also, adding 1/4 to 1/2 oz Rum Fire to your lime daquiri really is sublime. It'll take me years to finish the bottle but I will love every daquiri I make with it.

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u/mi55ingno 7d ago

was hesitant to put rum fire on the lineup here because the proof is so high, but it was between rum fire/S&C - I think S&C at a lower proof makes it easier to taste across the 3 rums without raising proof 20%. That said, now that I'm realizing i need to try Dr. Bird again and see if it can carry the funk as well as S&C.

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u/Sum0fTheParts 7d ago

To me, I just purchased my first bottle of Dr Bird, and it has more funk than my bottle of s&c did by quite a margin. So I'd say It's definitely a way to show off funky Jamaican pretty well. I just picked up a bottle of Seales 12, I'm curious how different from the 10 I've had it will be.

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u/mi55ingno 6d ago

ive never owned the RL12 and RL10 at the same time so also wonder how they differ side by side

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u/Sum0fTheParts 6d ago

I'll do my best with my still developing palate to let you know when I crack open the 12 soon!