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I had to click on this thread!

It's been awhile since I've drank rum, but after reading and taking notes, I had to pour some Ron Centenario XX over ice, before I could continue any furher.

I will be leaving to Medellin tommorow and will have to hit the duty free to pick up a few bottles for my trip. The last time I visited Medellin I picked up a few bottles of Ron Centenario XX, as gifts for some locals I know, and they LOVED it!

I do not drink on Sundays, but here I am, drinking!
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"If I lived each day as if it were my last I would have been dead a long time ago." - Traylor Park

While many people in my past have called me a "Tequila snob" since my Mexico living days because I wont drink rotgut tequila like cuervo gold...I now find some people here calling me a "rum snob" . Now, I cant light a candle to a NY friend of mine who had a rum cellar in his house on Long Island with 125 different aging rums...some bought for over $1000 per bottle!...I have found myself developing definite rum tastes here in Central America. My personal progression has gone something like this...

Ron Centenario ...discovered when I first came to CR and couldnt find a real tequila at most bars...started sipping it with reasonable aplomb. Then I discovered...

Flor De Cana ...first 7 yr, then 12. 12 is better:).

Here in Panama I would drink Flor de Cana...never have seen Centenario in a bar here. I also drank Ron Abuelo , the standard Panamanian rom that to me tastes about on par with Centenario. THen a few months ago my favorite bartender turned me on toe Zacapa 23 yr . Holy shit. No comparison with any of the above IMHO. Of course it is not cheap by the bottle...but i did find a bar here that has yet to value it by the glass and I get it for $5 in a cognac glass...only $1 more than Ron Abuelo.

So thats the latest on my Rum odyssey for anyone who is interested. Come on down...the first Zacapa is on me.

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All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts...

I've gotten Ron Abuelo at Mas X Menos and it is a good value. It comes with two bottles, a full sized and a mini there. I've never seen the 23 year old you mentioned.

Agree 100 %. Hands down Ron Zacapa 23yo is the best. I can truthfully go straight through a bottle while in "Costa Rica" mode. Sweet sweet heaven.

When slumming it I like the Ron Abuelo 7 yo and the Flor De Cana 5 yo. For Flor De Cana I think the 5 yo is the sweet spot. Four 750ml bottles at the duty free for $24 can't be beat. Don't see much added value in the 7 or 15. In fact thought the 15 a bit harsh.

BTW Don't be cheap and go for the 15yo Zacapa. The 8 years make a big difference. Also never had the 90 dollar bottle of the Zacapa Centenario so can't comment but maybe even better?

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Why settle for just one woman when you can enjoy them all?

When I was in Nicaragua I bought a bottle of Flor de Cana Centenario 21 -.750 ml commemorative edition at the airport. It comes in a blue bottle with a cork in it and a blue bag. It is by far the smoothest and finest rum I have ever tasted. It was around $30. Well worth it [/i]

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enjoy life

I find the CR rum to be too bitter for my tastes. Is Bacardi a more expensive choice at HDR?

They had some Bacardi 8 year old at the Gardens. It was a lot better than the younger Bacardi rums I've tried.

Try Flor da Canas, 7 years. Good stuff from Nicaragua I think.

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Providing humanitarian assistance to self employed chicas, one cash grant at a time.

The Flor De Cana Gold 4 year old stuff is pretty good and reasonably priced.

I agree. I’m a long time, loyal consumer of 23 yo Ron Zacapa. I have not found an equal. I am a little curious about the rum that Pac55 references at times. Other than that, I can’t find a reason to buy others. I refer to it as “El Fluido Stupido”.

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Cigar smoking doesn’t reduce us, it elevates us; It makes us more content to be alone, or it helps us to enjoy our companions. It encourages us to dwell on the simple moments and celebrate the sublime.
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Hung like Einstein and smart as a mule.
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You're not drunk if you can lay on the floor without holding on.

I Always bring 4 bottles of Ron Centenario home with me when I leave CR and give to friends. After my last trip when one of my friend's wife heard I had returned from CR she immediately asked if I brought her a bottle which I did.

With the duty free limit of 1 liter of spirits for US citizens returning to the US, how much of a hassle is it to bring back more?

How much is the duty?

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Women are like beers. I've never had one that I didn't like. Just some that I like more than others! --Western

I did'nt pay anything. Just carried it thru customs

Because I can't get a non stop home, I am forced to buy on the way in and pack in my checked bag on my return. I have never been given a second look by customs in Chicago woth 2-3 bottles in my checked luggage. I have done this numerous times and have never paid a duty charge returning to the US

Hope this helps

Do I understand you correctly that you wrote on your customs declaration that you had 2-3 bottles of spirits & they let you thru without paying duty? If that's the case, I'll take an extra suitcase with me!:?:

I've been pulled aside for a "routine" inspection & was given the good cop / bad cop treatment, attempts to trip me up, etc. Just about everything short of waterboarding & the rubber hose treatment! Everything in my bags was declared & I was under the duty free limit. Finally, the jerks a$$ inspector's boss came over & he straightened up & let me go. I hate thos A5$ HOLES!

Sorry to mince words. I'll climb down from the soap box now...

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Women are like beers. I've never had one that I didn't like. Just some that I like more than others! --Western