Doggy Beach Time

     Let a dog loose on the beach and throw a ball and off they go into the water anytime of the year.   They just love the water and chasing almost anything you throw.   I love the intensity and focus they have and the desire to please their master.

The Rums of the Wine Magazine's "Top 100 Spirits of 2015"

     The people at the  Wine Magazine have released their "Top 100 Spirits for 2015".   Among them these are the rums that they found to be of a quality fitting the honor.   Congratulations to all that were on the list.





    “This bottle represents the apex of my experience.” Consider, for example, Don Pancho Origenes Reserva Rum Aged 30 Years. After more than 50 years as a hired gun making rum for a wide range of companies, this was the rum that Francisco “Don Pancho” Fernandez yearned to bottle—and it’s delicious, redolent with toffee and spice." 

Tiburón Rum

Adorned with a shark tooth and an etched image of a shark, ...

90 Points  $35

Selvarey Cacao

This chocolate-flavored dark rum is soft and delicious, with a slightly nutty ...

90 Points  $29

Six Saints Caribbean Rum

Golden and light-bodied, this small-batch rum mixes honey and oaky vanilla notes ...

91 Points  $37

 

DonQ Gran Anejo

This light and silky rum offers vanilla and honey, brightened by tropical ...

92 Points  $60

Don Pancho Origenes Reserva Aged 18 Years

Despite being aged 18 years, this suprisingly easy sipper is full of ...

93 Points  $90

Siesta Key Spiced Rum Distiller’s Reserve Solera Blend

This Florida-made rum, with honey and spices added, shows a light touch ...

94 Points  $40

Diplomatico 2000 Single Vintage

Single-vintage rums are few and far between. This one, distilled in 2000, ...

94 Points  $110

Read more at http://www.winemag.com/toplists/top-100-spirits/1/?s=&drink_type=spirit&pub_date_web=2015&page=4&sort_by=stock_no&sort_dir=desc&stock_no=1-100&bestbuy_year=2015Wine Magazine

The Yellow Bird Disco Era Cocktail

     The latest in projected cocktail trends is bringing back cocktails of the "Disco" era.  “Are 1970'S-Style cocktails replacing tiki drinks as the guilty pleasure du jour? A growing number of bars and restaurants are indeed offering revamped editions of post-Watergate libations. Unlike the austerely bitter tipples favored in recent years by the neo-speakeasy set, these throwbacks skew sweet, fruity, even creamy.”  The era was the beginning of so many flavorful cocktails from the Caribbean, like frozen Daiquiri, Pina Collada, Yellow Bird, and Grasshopper, and many more.

     I took some time to look back at the era and started looking at some of the cocktails from the era and I'm ready to go to work on some of them to make them "Rumilicious".   The Yellow Bird was a drink that has its origins in the Caribbean and is a rum based cocktail to start with, but maybe a bit of modernizing.

Yellow Bird

• 1 oz.  Matusalem Platino Rum
• 1 oz.  Yolo Gold 10 Year Rum
• ½ oz.  Galliano
• ½ oz. Bahama Bob's Banana Rum Liqueur
• 2 oz.  Orange juice
• 2 oz.  Pineapple juice

Combine ingredients in a shaker with crushed ice. Shake to incorporate. Pour into a tiki mug and top with more crushed ice, if needed. Grate nutmeg over ice and garnish with an orange wheel and black cherry.

Bahama Bob's Banana Rum Liqueur

• 3 Bananas (peeled and sliced)
• 2 1/4 Cups Don Q Crystal Rum
• 3/4 Cup Purified Water
• 3/4 Cup Sugar in the Raw Turbinado

          Place the banana slices and the rum in a glass jar.   Seal and shake the mixture in the jar.   Let mixture steep for a a couple of days at room temperature in a dark cabinet.   strain off the rum from the fruit  into your final container, then press the fruit mixture through two layers of cheese cloth.  Pressing down on it to extract the liquid from the pulp.  Filter it through a fine strainer to get any debris that may have gotten through the cheese cloth.   Put the rum and the liquid from the bananas. back together

combine Sugar in the Raw Turbinado and the water with banana mixture. Seal in bottle or jar, then shake to mix. Let rest for a day or two, then pass it through a sieve one more time to get the last of the debris out and store in the refrigerator.  It is good for up to two months.

Key West on a Winter's Day

    Today was particularly cool here in Key West and a perfect day to get out and watch how the locals are dealing with it.   The fun part of the day was seeing that the locals were no being forced to stay indoors.   "Cabin Fever" is really not a problem around here, except for a really stormy rainy day.

Things are Seemingly Back Where They Were 10 Years Ago

     In his first media interview on the matter, given exclusively to World Trademark Review, Ian FitzSimons, general counsel of Pernod Ricard, has expanded on the news that Cubaexport has received a specific license allowing it to renew the Havana Club trademark registration in the United States. While a positive development for the company, he tells us that the dispute with Bacardi over the brand name is basically back to where it was in 2006.

     A spokesperson for Bacardi told us that, at this time, the company is not commenting beyond the statement it issued on the matter. In their statement, Bacardi notes that the government's move "to resurrect this dead registration" has left the company "shocked and very concerned by this unprecedented action". Contending that it has "reversed long-standing US and international public policy and law that protects against the recognition or acceptance of confiscatory actions of foreign governments", the company adds that it "has and will continue to pursue all the necessary legal actions to defend its position surrounding the legitimacy of Bacardi's rights and ownership of HAVANA CLUB".

     The legal dispute will likely commence imminently, with the resumption of the previously halted action in the US District Court. FitzSimons explains: "When we were unable to renew the trademark in 2006, the action was stayed. So that lawsuit is expected to resume in the coming weeks or months. We have notified the court of the change in status of the trademark and therefore the case goes back to the US courts (where we feel it rightly belongs) and they will decide it on its merits. We think that is the right outcome - it doesn't favor one party over another and the US courts are an equitable forum that Bacardi have chosen to sue us in front of. We are back to where we were ten years ago."

     For now, there are two certainties. First, that the legal battle over the Havana Club brand is far from over. Second, that the stakes are high. As FitzSimons concludes: "The US rum market is 40% of the worldwide rum market so there is a huge opportunity that we haven't been able to exploit to date. If that market does open up, we will be very excited about it. Havana Club is the third biggest rum brand and the number one Cuban rum in the world and it has achieved that without access to that market. So there is a lot of potential there."

Read More at http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/Blog/detail.aspx?g=5260ecb5-7678-4324-98e9-30d4bb57dfcc

Aft Deck Evening Cocktail

     I was in the mood for a new cocktail for the evening on the aft deck last night and I came up with this different sophisticated taste that I 'm really happy with.  The Barbancourt 15 Year Old Rum is always a good basis for premium cocktails, followed with the sweet vermouth and Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao work very well together balancing out the flavor wit Fee Brothers Whiskey Barrel Bitters just makes it come to life.



Haitian Aft Deck Evening Cocktail

• 2 oz. Barbancourt 15 Year Old Rum
• 3/4 oz. Sweet Vermouth
• 1 oz. Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao
• 2 Dashes of Fee Brothers Whiskey Barrel Bitters

Place all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and shake until chilled.   Strain into a tumbler filled with fresh ice and garnish with an orange and lemon zests.

Diageo Offers a New Responsible Drinking Website

     Diageo has revamped the drink calculator on to their website that will help you understand what is going on with your body when you are drinking alcoholic beverages.   It deals with the what you are consuming and how it compares to the U.S, Dietary Guidelines, How long it will take for the alcohol to leave your system and how many calories you have consumed.

     This is a handy calculator that will hopefully enlighten people as to what they are facing when they drink.    The site now includes a breakdown of calories, carbohydrates and protein in all of Diageo’s products, as well as, for the first time, detailing saturated fat, sugar, caffeine and sodium content.

     “Anyone looking to watch their weight will find the reinvigorated Drinkiq site helpful for tracking calories and other important facts about alcohol,” said Barbara J. Moore, PHD, president and chief executive officer of Shape Up America!   “We applaud Diageo for its commitment to greater transparency and for providing consumers with essential nutrient, calorie and alcohol information about their drinks.

For instance here is the chart for Ron Zacapa Ron Solera 23 Years

Nutritional Information

Per Serveing  (1.5 oz) 40% abv

Alcohol  0.6 oz

Energy (KJ)  406
Energy (kcal)  97

Fat  0 g

Saturated Fat  0 g

Sodium 0 g

Protein  0 g

Carbohydrates 0.2 g
Sugars  0.2 g

Caffeine  0 mg

This is a helpful chart that give you an idea of what you are really consuming if you are interested.   Like other foods and beverages it becomes your choice to make if you use all of the information that is available to you.

Osprey in His Element

One of the most beautiful Birds here in the Keys is the Osprey, I see them all over the place including sitting on the masts of sail boats here in the marina, but I love seeing them out in natural areas like this on landing on his nest in the Fish Hawk Keys.  

RUM PRODUCERS FACE UP TO CKDNT EPIDEMIC

"As disturbing details of a deadly disease affecting sugarcane workers become more widely known, we ask how much responsibility drinks groups are prepared to shoulder."

     PR damage control departments of some of the world’s largest rum producers have been on emergency standby in recent months as details of a mysterious, and indeed extremely worrying, aspect of the industry spread through international media.In the US, bar owners poured bottles of rum down the gutter in protest at what they saw as the reluctance of distillers to combat chronic kidney disease of non-traditional causes (CKDnT) among Central and Latin American sugarcane workers. 

     Third sector advocates also named and shamed producers they believe have shirked responsibility in combating the ‘epidemic’, which has claimed the lives of thousands of cane cutters and planters in the last decade.CKDnT is not new, but discussions over its prevalence in the sugarcane industry have resurfaced once again. The disease progressively damages the kidneys, often leading to kidney failure and even death. While there has historically been much uncertainty over the causes of CKDnT, numerous studies have cited poor working conditions experienced by agricultural workers in hot and humid countries as primary catalysts.

     A new report by advocacy group Fairfood International, Dutch trade union CNV Internationaal and the Central American Institute for Social Studies, called Give Them a Break, upholds this view. The paper features collaborative field research by the three organisations linking CKDnT with occupational hardships experienced by sugarcane plantation workers in Guatemala and Nicaragua.

Occupational hazards

     These include long working days, few shaded breaks, strenuous labor and insufficient access to potable water. The report claims that the “majority” of poor cane cutters work more than 10 hours a day, often seven days a week.

     “Due to these conditions many workers suffer from heat stress and dehydration,” says Lieneke Wieringa, advocacy manager at Fairfood International. “This contributes to the contraction of CKDnT. Some communities are so heavily affected by the disease that they are now primarily populated by widows.”

     The report calls on multinational drinks groups, namely Bacardi and Diageo, to improve conditions for workers employed by the sugar plantations they source from, and criticised the firms for allegedly “showing reluctance” to address the issue head on. “We know that at the time of publishing our report, the policies and practices of Bacardi and Diageo were insufficient to properly address the issue,” continues Wieringa. “Moreover, we know that sugar companies in Central America generally speaking are aware of the problem. Nevertheless, the large majority of them still do not guarantee decent working conditions to their workers that prevent them from contracting CKDnT.”

     Give Them a Break outlines a number of ways in which sugarcane producers, traders, brand-owning companies and governments can implement positive change and tackle the problem. For Wieringa, the previous uncertainty around the cause of CKDnT is “no excuse to sit back and not act”.

‘Systemic issues’

     However, Bacardi has slammed the report for what it has called “inaccuracies”. In a statement, the group acknowledged that while there are a number of “systemic” issues related to the industry, it has developed its sugarcane sourcing strategy in collaboration with “industry experts”. In addition, the Bermuda-based firm said it supports Bonsucro – a global non-profit organization set up to improve the sustainability of the sugarcane industry. Bacardi said that in supporting Bonsucro with financial resources and participation of senior management, it is aiming to “tackle all the diverse issues in the sugarcane industry, rather than focusing on single issue or localized initiatives”.

     The group also said it does not buy any sugarcane product from Nicaragua, as claimed by Fairfood, but admitted it does work with two Guatemalan organizations, which have “committed to improving their practices”. Bacardi added that it has, “on occasion”, switched suppliers that have not shown any willingness to take sustainability issues seriously.

     “Bacardi takes the unsubstantiated Fairfood International allegations made about its supply chain and human rights initiatives seriously as the company operates in full compliance with all trade regulations and laws in each of the countries it does business in,” a spokesperson said. In response, Fairfood said that at the time its report was published, it believed the information included was correct, adding that Bacardi did not dispute it sourced cane products from Nicaragua when given the opportunity.

     Diageo, which has also been accused of running a “specific risk” by not tackling CKDnT-related issues in its sugarcane supply chains, said it encourages cane producers to conduct routine risk assessment and “continually” improve health and safety standards. However, a spokesperson for the group ultimately assigned responsibility to its suppliers.

Role of brokers

     They said: “Like many other global companies across various sectors, we do not source our molasses, which is a by-product of sugar, directly from farmers, but via international brokers, however, we continue to work with our partners to look closely at the standards on sugarcane farming in Central America.”

     Separate reports in UK and US media have sparked concern among the bartending community with regards to CKDnT. A select few bartenders and bar owners recently boycotted Flor de Caña rum over reports focusing on conditions at the Ingenio San Antonio (ISA) sugar mill, where the brand’s parent company sources cane materials. The United States Bartenders’ Guild subsequently said a number of its members had “made contact” about the issue and that it had “opened a dialogue” on CKDnT.

     The guild said it was “satisfied” Flor de Caña owner Compañía Licorera de Nicaragua was willing to discuss the matter. USBG executive director Aaron Gregory Smith added: “I am aware that more steps are being taken in the company’s supply chain to seek advice on rolling out the existing recommendations to address the disease in the field workforce.”

     Nicaragua Sugar Estates Limited (NSEL), owner of ISA, said it is “committed” to “doing its part” and “finding solutions” for CKDnT. The group has contributed US$8m to fund further research into causes of the disease, reduce rates of contraction among its workforce, help sufferers secure an alternative source of income, and find treatment for “end stage” patients. NSEL has also outlined a number of “additional actions” to come into effect in 2016. “We believe that progress on this epidemic can only be made as a result of co-operation from all parties,” said Javier J. Arguello, chairman of the NSEL board.

Read More at http://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2016/01/rum-producers-address-conditions-for-workers/ 

Three Day Staycation Just What the Doctor Ordered

     Our Bahama trip had to be postponed because of the strong north winds at sea.  Crossing the Gulf Stream in a small boat is not a good idea when you have strong north winds, the seas get really angry.

     Undaunted, we jumped into the car and went Jimmy Johnson's Big Chill, and had a great breakfast at Ihop in Marathon.  61 miles up the keys to Duck Key and checked into the Hawks Cay Resort for a couple of nights.  The weather was still cold (cool by the standards of the rest of the country), so we spent a lot of the time inside and doing indoor things.  We did get out for a few walks and got to enjoy the beauty of the resort and the island.  We did run up to Key Largo and had a great dinner at

     After two days of rest and relaxation off the rock for a change of scenery, we were ready to return
to Key West.  Even when you live in paradise, there are other parts of paradise to explore.  New restaurants, bars, and entertainment always lifts your spirits and make you ready to return to work and  the day to day life.

Should the Embargo be Lifted?

     In December 2014, the US and Cuba agreed to restore diplomatic relations. Under the measures, the US opened an embassy in Havana, Cuba, and is also undertaking efforts to lift its 54-year trade embargo against Cuba, a move urged by Cuban president Raul Castro, but can only happen with the vote of the US Congress.   Cuban Rum still can’t be sold here in the United States even though there has been loosening of the regulations for tourists bringing back from their vacations.   US citizens travelling to Cuba can now bring up to US$100 worth combined of tobacco and rum back home with them.

     I feel that it is time for Congress vote to lift the embargo entirely.   There will still be legal tensions between Pernod Ricard and its partnership with the Cuban government and Bacardi over the Havana Club trademark, with the granting of the trademark to Pernod Ricard this week has already intensified.

     “Bacardi is shocked and very concerned by this unprecedented action taken by the United States government,” a statement from Bacardi read.   “In essence, this administration has reversed long-standing US and international public policy and law that protects against the recognition or acceptance of confiscatory actions of foreign governments”.

     “Bacardi has and will continue to pursue all the necessary legal actions to defend its position surrounding the legitimacy of Bacardi’s rights and ownership of Havana Club rum,” the group said.

     With or without these issued, it is really time to start trading with the Island of Cuba again, we trade with Russia, Vietnam, and other countries that cost more American lives, so what is the hang up?

Top 100 Rums That Cost Less Than $100Number One

Number One on the List

     The Houston Chronicle has issued its top 100 rums list that cost less than $100.00.  I find the list very interesting, but I cant believe there are several rums like Ron Zacapa 23 Solera, Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva, Havana Club Seven Year Old and a few others that were not included.   It is great to have such a list available for us to view and a catalog to go to for ideas for the purchase of some good rums.

     Tired of drinking standard Captain Morgan, but don’t quite have the budget to splurge for the good stuff on the top shelf? Not to worry — when it comes to rum, there’s plenty of affordable middle ground.

UnderTheLabel used our Smart Rating system, which combines expert reviews and liquor competition results, to find the 100 best rums for under $100. We included the average price, Smart Rating and category (dark, spiced, cachaca, et al.) of each rum.

Every bottle on this list has a Smart Rating of at least 91, so if you’re craving a drink but can’t justify spending too much, there’s plenty of quality out there for the penny-pinching connoisseur.

#100. Atlantico Platino  Price: $20  Category: White  Smart Rating: 91

#99. ILC Aguardiente Tradicional  Price: $7  Category: Cachaca  Smart Rating: 91

#98. El Dorado Rum 12 Year Old  Price: $30  Category: Aged, Dark, Flavored  Smart Rating: 91

#97. Savanna 8 Ans Traditionel Rum  Price: $25  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 91

#96. Roble Viejo Ultra Añejo Rum Aged 10 Years  Price: $55  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 91

#95. Stone Rum  Price: $23  Category: White  Smart Rating: 91

#94. Stolen Dark Rum  Price: $18  Category: Dark  Smart Rating: 91

#93. Real McCoy 3 Year Old  Price: $20  Category: White  Smart Rating: 91

#92. Rusticator Rum  Price: $40  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 91

#91. Pampero Especial Rum  Price: $20  Category: Dark  Smart Rating: 91

#90. Plantation Original Dark Rum  Price: $35  Category: Dark  Smart Rating: 91

#89. Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum  Price: $30  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 91

#88. Debonaire Very Special Reserve Rum  Price: $38  Category: Premium, Aged  Smart Rating: 91

#87. Malahat Spirits Spiced  Price: $40  Category: Spiced  Smart Rating: 91

#86. Cruzan Single Barrel Rum  Price: $30  Category: Premium  Smart Rating: 91

#85. 3 Praias Agricole Rum  Price: $44  Category: Cachaca, Gold  Smart Rating: 91

#84. Hum Botanical Spirit  Price: $40  Category: Overproof, Spiced  Smart Rating: 91

#83. Screech Rum  Price: $26  Category: Dark, Aged  Smart Rating: 92

#82. Ron Abuelo Añejo Rum  Price: $13  Category: Dark  Smart Rating: 92

#81. Stolen Gold Rum  Price: $30  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 92

#80. La Mauny VSOP Old Agricole Rum  Price: $49  Category: Dark  Smart Rating: 92

#79. El Dorado 15 Year Old Rum  Price: $30  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 92

#78. Sagatiba Cachaca Brazilian  Price: $28  Category: Cachaca  Smart Rating: 92

#77. Murray McDavid Guyana Rum 1990  Price: $76  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 92

#76. Zafra Master Reserve Rum  Aged 21 Years  Price: $40  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 92

#75. Centenario Fundacion XX Años Rum  Price: $44  Category: Aged, Premium  Smart Rating: 93

#74. Captain Morgan Rum 1671  Price: $20  Category: Flavored  Smart Rating: 93

#73. Gosling’s Family Reserve Old Rum  Price: $80  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 93

#72. Angostura 5 Year Anejo Rum  Price: $24  Category: Aged, Flavored, Gold  Smart Rating: 93

#71. Tommy Bahama White Sand Rum  Price: $24  Category: White  Smart Rating: 93

#70. Cruzan Aged Dark Rum  Price: $16  Category: Aged, Dark  Smart Rating: 93

#69. Ron Botran 1893 Solera Rum  Price: $71  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 93

#68. Clement Rhum Agricole VSOP  Price: $42  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 93

#67. Appleton Estate V/X  Price: $20  Category: Dark, Gold  Smart Rating: 93

#66. Diplomático Añejo Rum  Price: $14  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 93

#65. Havana Club Selecciíon de Maestros  Price: $62  Category: Aged, Overproof, Premium
Smart Rating: 93

#64. Plantation 1998 Old Reserve Rum  Price: $35  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 93

#63. Rhum J.M. Vieux 1997 Rum  Price: $90  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 93

#62. Plantation Rum Grande Reserve  Price: $20  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 93

#61. Single Cask Rhum Agricole  Price: $62  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 93

#60. Diplomatico Reserva Rum  Price: $20  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 93

#59. Kirk and Sweeney 12 Year   Price: $40  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 93

#58. Clement Créole Shrubb  Price: $35  Category: Spiced  Smart Rating: 93

#57. Admiral Rodney 12 Year Old Rum  Price: $35  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 94

#56. Castries Rum Cream  Price: $30  Category: Flavored  Smart Rating: 94

#55. English Harbour 5 Year Old Antigua Rum  Price: $30  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 94

#54. Rhum J.M. White Rum  Price: $38  Category: White  Smart Rating: 94

#53. Phraya Extra-1  Price: $50  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 94

#52. Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum  Price: $22  Category: Spiced  Smart Rating: 94

#51. Flor de Cana 4 Year Old Gold Rum  Price: $15  Category: Flavored, Cachaca, Spiced
Smart Rating: 94

#50. Tíz White Gold Rum  Price: $26  Category: Premium  Smart Rating: 94

#49. Ron Fortuna 8 Year Old  Price: $22  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 94

#48. Ron Abuelo Añejo 7 Años Reserva Superior Rum  Price: $20  Category: Aged
Smart Rating: 94

#47. Cabana Cachaca Rum  Price: $35  Category: Cachaca  Smart Rating: 94

#46. Whaler’s Vanille Rum  Price: $13  Category: Flavored  Smart Rating: 94

#45. Rhum J.M. Rhum Agricole Millésime 2001  Price: $89  Category: Gold
Smart Rating: 94

#44. Coisa Nossa Cachaca Branca  Price: $15  Category: Cachaca  Smart Rating: 94

#43. Yaguara Cachaca  Price: $45  Category: Cachaca  Smart Rating: 94

#42. Don Rafael Cacao  Price: $40  Category: Flavored  Smart Rating: 94

#41. 1931 Rum  Price: $45  Category: Aged, Premium  Smart Rating: 94

#40. Coisa Nossa Cachaca Amadeirada  Price: $15  Category: Cachaca  Smart Rating: 94

#39. Kinkylux White  Price: $18  Category: White, Aged  Smart Rating: 94

#38. Bounty Overproof  Price: $13  Category: Overproof  Smart Rating: 94

#37. Kinkynero Dark  Price: $18  Category: Dark  Smart Rating: 94

#36. Real McCoy 5 Year Old  Price: $24  Category: Dark, Gold  Smart Rating: 94

#35. Sergeant Classick Gold Rum  Price: $22  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 94

#34. Caribbean Treasure Rumby Vanilla  Price: $35  Category: Flavored  Smart Rating: 94

#33. Murray McDavid Guyana Rum 1991  Price: $71  Category: Premium  Smart Rating: 94

#32. Facundo Rum Exquisito  Price: $90  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 94

#31. Appleton Estate 12 Year Old  Price: $30  Category: Aged, Gold  Smart Rating: 94

#30. Red Leg Spiced Rum  Price: $30  Category: Spiced  Smart Rating: 94 

#29. Rougaroux Sugarshine Rum  Price: $29  Category: Overproof  Smart Rating: 94

#28. Miami Club White Rum  Price: $28  Category: White  Smart Rating: 94

#27. Stolen Over-Proof White Rum  Price: $40  Category: Premium  Smart Rating: 94

#26. Rhum J.M. Rhum Agricole Blanc  Price: $32  Category: White  Smart Rating: 94

#25. Appleton Estate Reserve  Price: $27  Category: Dark  Smart Rating: 95

#24. Botran Añejo Reserva Rum  Price: $25  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 95

#23. Ron Cartavio XO Rum  Price: $80  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 95

#22. Pusser’s 15 Year Old Rum  Price: $60  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 95

#21. Ron Cartavio Solera Rum 12 Años  Price: $35  Category: Aged, Dark, Flavored, Spiced
Smart Rating: 95

#20. Inner Circle Green Spot Traditional Pot Still Rum  Price: $55  Category: Dark, Overproof
Smart Rating: 95

#19. Tanduay Silver Rum  Price: $20  Category: White  Smart Rating: 95 

#18. Vizcaya VXOP Cask 21  Price: $20  Category: Aged, Flavored, Premium, Spiced  Smart Rating: 96

#17. Tommy Bahama Golden Sun Rum  Price: $28  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 96

#16. Matusalem Gran Reserva 23 Year Old Rum  Price: $62  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 96

#15. Santa Teresa Araku Ron y Coffee Liqueur  Price: $22  Category: Flavored  Smart Rating: 96

#14. Angostura 7 Year Old Dark Rum  Price: $32  Category: Aged, Dark, Flavored, Premium
Smart Rating: 96

#13. Montecristo Rum  Price: $40  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 96

#12. Appleton Estate Extra Rum  Price: $37  Category: Aged, Dark  Smart Rating: 96

#11. Plantation XO 20th Anniversary Rum  Price: $60  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 96

#10. Berkshire Mountain Ragged Mountain Rum  Price: $26  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 97

#9. Pusser’s Rum  Price: $22  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 97

#8. Santa Teresa 1796 Ron Antiguo de Solera  Price: $40  Category: Gold  Smart Rating: 97

#7. Dictador 20 Rum  Price: $60  Category: Aged, Dark  Smart Rating: 98

#6. Ron Abuelo 7 Year Old Rum  Price: $25  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 98

#5. Pampero Aniversario Rum  Price: $30  Category: Aged, Dark  Smart Rating: 98

#4. Cruzan Single Barrel Extra-Aged Rum  Price: $16  Category: Aged, Premium  Smart Rating: 99

#3. Leblon Cachaca  Price: $30  Category: Cachaca  Smart Rating: 99

#2. Zaya Gran Reserva Rum  Price: $35  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 99

#1. Ron Abuelo 12 Year Old Rum  Price: $25  Category: Aged  Smart Rating: 100

Read More at http://blog.chron.com/hottopics/2016/01/best-rums-for-under-100/