Let’s be clear. Sonoma County in California is first and foremost wine country. August Sebastiani, the president of 3 Badge Beverages, is a fourth-generation member of one of its oldest wine families. Based in this fertile valley along the rugged Pacific coastline, the company, you guessed it – produces wine. Lately, they’ve broadened their portfolio to spirits as well. Happy times.
Their commitment to craftsmanship anda deep connection to the family history transcend the make of the drink. The company offices are held in the same fire station Sebastiani’s grandfather helped build and where he volunteered. Their spirits division named Mixology includes the Rum brand Kirk and Sweeney, named after the wooden schooner best known for smuggling Rumfrom the Caribbean to the United States during Prohibition.
To call Kirk and Sweeney 18 Year Old Rum a treasure is an understatement. The Rum is crafted in the Dominican Republic from raw sugarcane and aged for 18 years in American oak casks. The result is a work of art in form and substance. What’s that supposed to mean? Well, the unique bottle, raised cork in a peculiarly shaped low-set jug, with the imprinted rum smuggling route of our favorite hooch vessel, is a lovely addition to any mantelpiece. But it’s even more at home in your bar, that’s for sure.
There’s cargo inside that’s even more alluring than the bottle itself. Simply delicious, with outstanding flavor and a wonderful aroma. So, soo smoooth… Everything you could possibly want in a premium Rum. Go on, find a better well-aged Rum at this price point. We dare you.
What does Kirk and Sweeney 18 Year Old Rum taste like?
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Kirk and Sweeney 18 Year Old Rum and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
Dog Dogson's
Smartass Corner
Common Rum classifications: White, Golden or Amber, Dark, Spiced, Añejo and Age-Dated Rums.
Smooth and tasty...one of my favorites for mixed drinks and solo. Good price point value to boot. Will re-order.
Jeremy,
Very smooth with an absolutely great finish. It's one of the best rums I've had.
Dylan,
Best rum I’ve ever had. Very smooth, had a sweetness to it that is hard to describe. It went well with a good cigar.
William,
I have been trying a bunch of new aged Rums lateley and this one is above average. Great flavor, smooth finish. I would add to the list of Rum to try if you are looking.
Rebecca,
Did not enjoy at all. Will not drink this ever again.
Jeremy,
Smooth, good finish. Looking to upgrade my pallete and this was a good one to experiment with. Definite enjoyed it and looking to get it again.
German,
Smooth rum with a flavorful taste. Can't beat this rum for the price. Honestly better than a $100+ rum i recently tasted. Will continue to buy from K&S
Richard,
I bought the 12 year old Kirk & Sweeney while vacationing in the keys. I was thrilled to be able to order the 18 and the 23 year old of the same.
The 18 is even better than the 12 year old. Wow that vanilla really smacks you in the face. Excited to try the 23, sitting on my shelf unopened.
Greg,
Very smooth with a buttery finish.
jeff,
The entire line of K&S rums are very good, especially for the price. Over the last few months I've had a bottle each of the 13yr, this and the 23yr and not disappointed with any of them. Each has a "personality" all it's own, but if you like one of the K&S rums, bet is you'll like any of them.
Rick,
Amazing flavors...great lasting taste. Like this after a long week...three fingers over ice.
William,
Love this rum. It is smooooth...The caramel adds to the full roundness of the feel in the mouth. There is a long finish that is a little spicy. This is going to be a favorite for sipping.
Kenneth,
For the price you will be hard pressed to find a better rum. Its smooth and sweet. Id buy again. Gonna try the 23 next.
john,
smooth great flavor one that should be for after dinner next to a cozy fire and enjoyed as a slowing sipping rum
Daniel,
This is a very enjoyable rum to drink straight without ice or frozen cubes.
Michael,
Smooth and sophisticated
Rick,
This Rum is a perfect example of why I love aged Rum! The color is amazing and each sip has just the right amount of sweetness. Notes of butterscotch and toffee with a little cinnamon for a hint of spice. I'm having it right now along with a cool ocean breeze...life is good.
Rick,
Wish I had ordered 2 bottles! Will order many, many more!
John,
One of my favorites
Richard,
Great rum! One of my favorites to drink straight. Definitely going to buy this one again.
Warren,
The flavor is very nice with a true spiced rum flavor.
Vivek,
Smooth with just the right amount of sweetness and notable spice.
Ryan,
I received it the other day and couldn't wait to try it. It was better than I thought it was going to be. It was very smooth. Started with a vanilla right away, then you get a very slight heat mixed with cinnamon at the finish and then a creaminess while it lingers. Seriously I am not much of a connoisseur, but I very much enjoyed this taste and look forward to enjoying it more often.
Harvey,
Kirk and Sweeny 18 year old is truly sipping rum. It is rich, creamy and soft on the tounge. Although rum mixes well for cocktails one should not add anything to this rum. Ginger beer, coke, not even ice should be added to this rum. One should just pour slowly into a fine glass, roll it around, smell the luscious aroma and bring it to the mouth for a small taste. Wash the inside of your mouth and coat your throat with the smooth mellow liquid and you will reach nirvana, without all of that sitting around. This is great rum!
Ryan,
This is definitely a tasty rum, but I was hoping for something more and doubt I’ll re-up on it. That said, I don’t at all avoid it. It’s good with a strong bit of vanilla, but something a bit... rubbery to my palate.
Jonathan,
I've recently turned my wife on to dark rum & this is one of her favorites. Excellent flavor & smooth.
Scott,
Great for sipping neat, cold, or light on ice. The nose is caramel coffee. The initial flavor is smooth butterscotch and chocolate with a spicy kick and a pleasant lingering spicy finish. Very enjoyable!
Devin,
I’m not very much a rum drinker. But I enjoyed this one. Wasn’t as smooth as I would like. But the taste was great!
Michael,
The way rum is supposed to taste.
Sneh,
Love it
Caleb,
Wonderful flavor and very smooth. Really enjoy the kick at the end
Crow,
Very tasty and unique rum. Definite chocolate notes up front followed by some spice. Then a surprise spicy finish ..peppery hot...in a good way
garrett,
Great rum a good mixer or on the rocks.
Michael,
Terrific Rum! Aromas of vanilla and a hint of Sherry, with the deeply aged taste of Vanilla with spices and oak, that winds down with a sherry, oak and raisin sensation.
Drink neat or on the rocks!
Phillip,
Great taste neat. Great value.
Jarred,
I have had tried great, good, and total rot-gut rum over the years but the Kirk and Sweeney 18yr is in a class of it's own! The Kirk and Sweeney 18yr is a truly exceptional sipping rum. I first tried a sip neat, as soon as I poured it into the glass. The flavors were strong, complex and powerful with distinct oak, and a sweet burn going down. I then allow it to sit in the glass for about 10 mins open with a small ice cube melting as the time pased. Afterward the drink was a mild, refined smooth sipping rum. I could taste a velvety butterscotch, with a slightly sweet aftertaste. I seemed to warm my inner core and I found myself wanting more when the two fingers were gone.
I determined that this is not going to be my daily rum, but yet reserved for a special evening, late night sip. Enjoy!
Steven,
Really beautiful rum,
Devon,
Smooth, strong, and slightly sweet. Perfect sipping rum at a great price!
Dan,
Not my favorite
John,
Not bad, though a bit on the sweet side to me. Rather heavy in the molasses, could use more bite.
Tucker,
Dangerously smooth. I like sweet rums so might have enjoyed it more than most. Starts with a somewhat velvety caramel texture then finishes with a strong honey/molasses flavor on your pallet. Easily sipped a few glasses, leading to a hangover typical of sweet spirits - that would be my only knock on the sweetness. Overall, good value and very enjoyable.
Blake,
I enjoy this rum as a sipping rum. I personally enjoy the Plantation 20th better, but that one & this one are the 2 sipping (non-mixing) rums I currently stock in my home bar. It's not as complex & smooth the Plantation, but has a definite over rocks, sipping nature to it.
Chris,
Very enjoyable version (not as great as the 23 yr old), I like it neat or with ONE cube of ice. Would be nice (but overkill) as a mixer.
Eric,
Great tasting rum...no need to mix just pour it over rocks
Matt,
If there’s Kirk and Sweeney in our bar, it doesn’t last long. A wonderful sipping rum with complex flavors and delightful linger notes of deliciousness.
John,
Thank you for sharing this wonderful rum. I found it very palatable neat or mixed. On the sweet side, but not too far left!
Stephen,
Smooth and rich
JOE,
exceptional aroma. i'm not a rum person, but this is so perfect it will be a constant repeat. the vanilla and Sherry, Oak, Cinnamon make it perfect...
James,
Nice aroma and smooth sipper. Vanilla notes with a slight spice finish.
Erik,
lovely blend, very smooth, aged real nice, didn't have a care n the world after a few sips.
Calvin,
Great balance, not too sweet with a nice finish.
James,
Very smooth, great flavor and minimal burn
John,
Very nice nose, smooth and great finish!
Henry,
This rum is delicious and smooth as can be. I like it best straight, as mixing detracts from the full enjoyment of this very excellent libation.
Loren,
The rum is not bad. Great decanter.
Terry,
My new favorite. Rich molasses and vanilla up front with a faint spicy finish. Best served neat with a medium bodied cigar. Superb!
Mark,
While I can't tell you what aroma is what it does have a nice one. I think the flavors go well and compliment the flavors of Dr. Pepper as opposed to Coca Cola. Or it's nice just by itself.
Roy,
Top notch.
guest,
Very nice aroma and goes down smoothly with a nice molasses finish
Steven,
Fantastic!
alex,
By far my favorite rum!
Julian,
Love it
Christopher,
Very smooth. Where I had bought this at, it was a better value than the 12 year old because it was only $5 more. This is what their 12 year old should have been, but isn't.