Named after one of the greatest authors of the twentieth century, Ernest Hemingway, and the boat he used to travel the world, Pilar, this is an artisan brand based in the USA. Marrying together Rums from around the world they create two expressions, Blonde and Dark, and pay homage to a great man and a great drink.
Papa’s Pilar Dark is made of hand-selected Rums Solera aged in Bourbon and Port Wine casks and finished in Spanish Sherry casks, giving it a spicy and sweet oak wood flavor. It is made up of Rums from Florida, Central America and the Caribbean. Like most Rums, it has a traditionally sweet overtone, but has a wonderfully dark and bitter undertone, full of coffee and dark chocolate, to complement the caramel perfectly.
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Papa's Pilar Dark 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
Rum used to be accepted as a form of currency in Europe and Australia, a practice we should probably bring back into fashion.
Smell / Nose / Aroma
Sweet caramel and spicy oak wood.
Flavor / Taste / Palate
Treacle and golden syrup with coffee and dark chocolate, some sweet fruits, raisins and dried apricots, thick vanilla with a spicy edge.
Vanilla and smooth maple tastes with a smooth mouth feel. Rum is not thought of as a sipper, but this one is a great summer treat or a winter warmer. Either way, you win with Papa.
Christopher,
My first glass, I wasn’t all that impressed. It was good, but not a “wow”. The second and subsequent, I really got to enjoying this. Will definitely be purchasing again.
Micah,
Very warming rum with a smooth all around taste. A little sweet, which brings down my rating.
Brian,
Really enjoyed this dark rum. Easy to drink on the rocks or with a splash of cola.
KENNETH,
I really like sipping good rum neat as an alternative to scotch and bourbon. The best are a little "chewy" with a strong and slightly sweet finish that lingers nicely. Papa's delivers.
Nicolas,
Great taste and value!
Rickie,
this is fantastic, drink it neat and tastes slightly sweet fruity with a touch of chocolate. Add a splash of cola taste like Carmel. my freinds love it and will keep i stack
Ryan,
Sherry cask
Randall,
Very good very smooth Rum.
Randall,
This was a very good and very smooth Run.
Charles,
great taste bought to share with my favorite person and she was amazed at the great taste and flavor
Michael,
Terrific! A rich, bold flavor that I can’t wait to have again.
Alan,
Really enjoying this. Dark rums have always been a favorite of mine. This one is exceptional.
Stephen,
The description is spot on! Sweet at first and perfectly balanced at the finish. Could easily stay at the top of my favorites list!
Heidi,
A little heavy on sweetness, but the flavor is splendid. Very Tasty.
Shawn,
Smoothest rum I've ever had. Nice caramel taste to it. Perfect for straight sippin' or a mixed beverage at the end of a long day. Definitely will be a staple in my home bar. If I can keep any of it in stock!
Jonathan,
Very sweet. Thick on the palate to the point of being almost sticky and cloying. Lingering taste that is reminiscent of maple. Smooth enough to sip, but I can't get past the sweetness and that is said as a fan of Diplomatico and similar style rums.
Anthony,
Love this rum, it has layers of complexity, and deep flavors with a bright finish that makes you feel like being under a palm tree with your toes in the sand.
Tammy,
Very nice smooth and full rum. One of my new favorites for rum!
Shaun,
Great rum. Smooth and flavorful. Definitely want to drink this one neat. If you can find the Sherry Cask finish, grab it. It’s one of my favorites.
George,
Had this for the first time at their tasting tour in Key West. Awesome!!! They mixed the dark with the blond and it was even smother. I'm now on a quest for the dark aged in bourbon barrels which came out last year. You can't go wrong with Papa's!!!
Nathan,
I've been drinking Papa's for a few years. Generally, smooth and buttery/sweet. But, a few bottles have come in a bit sweeter. Great sipping rum for the summer months!
Jonathan,
Not a bad rum, but it can be a bit too sweet. Reminds me a lot of maple syrup.
wILLIAM,
Love it best ever.
Joe,
Exceeded my expectations for a Rum. 24yr old with unique character, flavor, and taste. The only way to drink this one is neat!! AAAAARRRRRGGGGGG
Richard,
Very sweet, seems like it was back-sweetened. Otherwise had a good flavor, just hard to get past the sweetness. Would be good in a mix.
Martha,
Very sweet. It's well balanced but just overly sweet. I do, however, enjoy a little on the rocks. I just thought it would have more depth with "some" sweetness
Damien,
Amazing product! Great buttery flavor with a smooth finish
Michael,
Sweeter than it is spicy, very mellow and smooth. Excellent sipping drink
Eric,
A step up from the Dictador 20 year rum i had been enjoying. Just WOW. Flavorful and exactly what I look for in a sipping rum!
Nathaniel,
Ridiculously smooth, delicious
KRISHNARAJ,
Smooth and flavorful. With a slightly sweet and cherry finish
Warren,
Great rum with full bodied flavor that’s a great addition to any home bar or for general sipping when you need a taste of something special. I picked up my first bottle in Key West at the distillery. If you ever visit the Keys, make sure you make time to visit and take the tour. This purchase is a steal for any rum enthusiast. Enjoy!
Tyrone,
First, I am a scotch drinker by preference. That said, I will sample most any adult beverage. While on vacation in Key West FL I was offered a tour of Papa's Pilar Rum Distillery. I am glad I accepted the offer. I now know a little more about the history of rum in this country and I know how good a fine rum can taste. This rum drink well neat, it is 86 proof but the taste is mild and sweet. I get a hint of vanilla, sugar cookie, wood, and rum raisin ice cream.
Troy,
Avoided because I thought it was a gimmick. Then I tried it. This is a great, well-rounded rum good either on it's own or mixed. Likely to become my go-to rum at home. Gimmick or not, this is a winner.
Ariella,
I really enjoyed this rum, it smelled sweet and had some sweetness in the taste. To be honest I'm new to this; so vague details is all I got. Plus, I haven't really tasted enough of others to rate this rum properly, however saying all that, in this current time and place I stand by my rating.
Danny,
Sweet with strong notes of caramel/butterscotch.
Henry,
I’m normally more of a Tennessee whiskey and Kentucky bourbon drinker, but this rum was on the tasting bar at my favorite liquor store, so I thought, “Why not?“ I must say, I was blown away! It is absolutely exquisite, quite sweet with notes of brown sugar, caramel, spice, and vanilla.
Michael,
Slightly overly sweet. Good start but the sweet maple syrup flavors are a bit too strong, effecting the finish. I don't mix my drinks so this will likely stay in the bar for visitors with a taste for sweet dark rums.
Jarred,
sweet, smooth, slightly buttery. tastes very similar to the Kirk & Sweeney 18 yr rum
Howard,
Relatively sweet. Smooth. A bit of a maple syrup flavor. Nice aftertaste. Seems like they might be going for a cute, gimicky rum using the Florida/Caribbean/Hemmingway bit. Expensive for a blended rum in my opinion. Others for the price that I like better; Afrohead, Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva, el Dorado 15 Year Kirk and Sweeney 23 year.
Brianne,
Sweet, delightful. I just use it for my classic daiquiri, lime,rum, and sugar. Shaken til cold. ,
Nicole,
Love, love, love this rum! Great flavor and mixes well with a Coke for a day by the pool!
Tom,
Great taste if you like a sweet rum. Really dense. I get a strong maple/brown sugar start.
Daniel,
my favorite rum.
Erica,
Syrup and Heat. Unique
Aaron,
Excellent, toffee, caramel notes prevalent, like Christmas for your taste buds!
Kurt,
This is simply my favorite rum. Easy to drink with a lovely, rich caramel falvor
Joseph,
Flavorful, with rich vanilla notes. Great sipping rum.
Thomas,
Thick and sweet, a great tasting rum.
Owen,
Excellent Rum, especially for the price point.
Jason,
Great dark rum. Rich smokey Caramel flavor. Really makes any drink super delicious.
Robert,
Wonderfully sweet, with vanilla notes on the pallet. Love this rum!!
I actually liked it better than Kirk and Sweeney. But not by much.
Jon,
This is now my second favorite rum ever. It is sweet, smooth, and complex.
Jeremy,
Amazing
Christopher,
Not that smooth at all. At this price point, better bet is Kirk and Sweeney 23 YR or El Dorado 12 YR
Bruce,
I enjoyed it a lot. Vanilla led the way but enough bitter tang came through at the end to make it very interesting. I would buy it again. After trying all the others....
James,
Very smooth, caramel . Loved it!
Robert,
This rum is one of the smoothest, and although it has a very sweet and Aromatic scent It was not overly sweet
Amanda,
Probably the best rum I've yet to introduce my taste buds to! No mixer, chaser (who does that anyway)... Quality rum so flavorful, you'll be jealous of your ice cubes!
Erica,
Too sweet.
Michael,
Strong Carmel or sweet taste.
Stephen,
I have tasted many different rums, this is my go to rum.........My entire family loves this spirit. I recommend it highly
James,
Loved it! Complex flavor, caramel,smoky,hint of berry.
Sohni,
The only qualm I have with this rum is that the bottle isn't bigger.
Roy,
Very smooth. Sweet Carmel taste is very prevalent.
Mark,
Nice, sweet and smooth, this is a rum made for sipping. Pairs very well with a medium cigar.
Gary,
Tasty. Dark and smooth
Andrew,
Characteristics include syrup, smoke, vanilla, apple.
William,
This is one sweet Rum! Can sip it like a good Bourbon and it mixes well with everything, YUM!
Michael,
The taste of chocolate and coffee are strong and seductive. Best rum ever!