Consolidated "Favorite Rum and Rum Recommendations" thread
 

Trying to figure out which one might be better:

Barboncourt Rhum 10 Years

English Harbour 10 Years

Pyrat XO Reserve

Gosling Family Reserve Rum

I don't know much about rum, except that it's hard to find anything outside of the Caribe that's anywhere near as good as what they keep for themselves.

I believe all Gosling's is dark spiced rum, if that helps. (I'm a Dark n' Stormy aficionado)

I already thought about buying quite some stuff when travelling there.
I guess the import taxes will make it a very expensive adventure.

Rum, like most any other food or liquor is a matter of personal taste. You need to find a store willing to pour some of each for a side by side. And then tell us all where that wonderful market is located :D

Which rum I may love, you may hate, and the other way around. There's a good review of many different types of rums on this page if you have not seen them

http://scottesrum.com/

Well, a place to try (pay) quite few is in LA

http://213nightlife.com/canarumbar

Here in Germany, I doubt that there is a store willing to have bottles open for "free" tasting.
That said there is one company which ships 0,4cl bottles at around € 7 to 12
for tasting purposes.

How do you plan on drinking ?
 

These are all what I would consider sipping rums, things you would drink with some ice and not necessarily with any additive (cola, soda water, etc).

Is that what you plan ? If not, I would not spend the extra money. And Gosling is dark, sweet rum. It is not a spiced rum (think Captain Morgan). Some people dont like dark rums because they are too sweet. Example: You drink a white Barcardi and Coke with a lime, but in most instances you would not serve a lime with a dark rum and coke. The lime would counteract the sweetness and the intended flavor.

As for the particular rums you listed, I have had the Gosling and Pyrat. Either are fine choices (buy the Gosling if the price difference is not a concern).

If you just want a fine, drinkable rum, the regular Gosling Black Seal is a superb value. I also drink a lot of Myers which is a dark sweet rum (also available in a white rum). If you have not noticed, I drink a lot of rum in general :)

Cheers.

Error

Yes, I like to have it (the liquor, wine, champagne etc.) pure. No additives needed.

I would like to have really tasty rum; for me that`s sweet, fruity, fine with spicy touches.

Ron Zacapa XO (or 23)

That is a fantastic rum, but certainly the 23 is a lot more than the other rums listed here. Zacapa and Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva are my usual sipping rums of choice. I prefer something a bit older and more complex than the 10yr rums.

Of those mentioned by the OP, I'd say the Pyrat rum is objectively the highest quality, but everyone has their own tastes.

Flor de Cana 15 year.

23 year old is the best rum in the world. Utterly divine stuff.

So much so I must have a glass now. :)

Pyrat XO. If money is no object Pyrat Cask 23....Yum!

Thank you all for the input!

I have decided and ordered:

Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva

Flor de Cana Centenario 12 Years
and

Pyrat XO

Flor de Cana gets my vote... but I agree, its up to your taste :)