Every summer my husband and I spend 3-4 weeks in Italy and bring back different Grappas because we actually like it (I know, It's a horrible end of the barrel drink, I've heard, I've heard!!!) This time, we spent a few days at a villa outside of Florence. We choose this place because they made their own wine, olive oil, grappa, etc. When we asked the bartender for a grappa recommendation and he told us that we should not drink grappa but rum and pulled out a 5-6 page rum list, the most expensive glass/shot being over $80usd!!(this place was literally in the middle of NOWHERE). This was surprising as we had been in the Bahamas the week before and spend a good amount of time the Caribbean and had never been steered toward the "rooom" as the Italians called it. Well, we tried it (even though I figured one must make a damn good Pina Colada with an $80 rum) and they were absolutely delicious!!! It was as good if not better than the Cognacs I have had. Then, when we left the Villa, we found a place that had been reviewed in Wine Spectator (how they found this place will forever elude me.) and they also had a rum list! So we brought no Grappa back with us, but what are good rums? We have some Cruzan which has received favorable reviews but I don't care much for, Prichards' which is okay and Zaya 12 y.o. which I really like but I am looking for a GOOD rum and don't what to look for. If you can offer help, please do. Also, when did rum become the "It" drink?
Thanks,
Chris