[...] Cherry (above right)Anejo rum (El Dorado 15 Yr is magnificent here)Cherry soda (used Sparkling Italian Cherry soda from Whole Foods’ 365 [...]

[...] an aged rum that won’t work in this drink, though I’m particularly partial to using El Dorado 15 Year Old or Mount Gay Extra Old.  As for the vermouth, well use what you like, but if you want this drink [...]

This is my favorite rum as well. It’s a perfect sipper; balanced and complex. Amazing, nutty nose not unlike fine cognac or port. Rich notes of tobacco, coffee beans and maple syrup on the palate. And the sublime, lingering, musky dark chocolate El Dorado finish, unlike any other spirit I’ve tasted. As long as they produce it, this rum will NEVER leave my shelf.

Got a bottle of the 15 y/o in Mexico and have been seduced by it. Smooth vanilla and soft spice with a nice thick mouth makes this a new fave sipper. almost as good as the Brabancourt 15

Mr Dood, it’s fair to say the El Dorado line is pretty hard to beat. And of course we hear about the 12, 15, 21 and gulp, beyond. But I can’t say enough about the 5 year.

This much overlooked rum gets short shrift, for what reason I know not. Sue Sea and I did a smackdown with the 5 – 12 – 15, and surprise! The 5 year won! I kid you not…

Yeah…this is my favorite rum of all rums and has been in over than 15 years. And oddly enough, this is actually on of my earlier rums too. You have described it perfectly.