Post #533954 by aquarj on Thu, Jun 3, 2010 1:48 PM

I'd say it just depends on what attracts you to owning it. If you're interested in drinking old rum, then there's a chance that this could be an incredible taste experience. My guess would be that there's very little downside in trying it, if you're so inclined. Even if it has "gone bad," probably the worst downside to trying it would be the disappointment that it has gone flat or tastes unpleasant. Especially given the proof and the fact that it's rum and not a liqueur with other ingredients.

You might be interested to read martiki's report on an impressive attempt to re-create an original 1934 Zombie with original ingredients - most particularly original rums. Martin and the bum met up with uber-collector Stephen Remsberg, and they were in fact consuming Remsberg's very old minis for their experiment.

You might also enjoy Beachbum Berry's report on an intrepid tasting exploration of the Mai Kai's top shelf old rums.

BUT, if you like the idea of an old unopened mini to look at, and the taste turns out to be disappointing, then there's probably no reason to open it. Because in this case the downside would be that you have to break the seal, and thus the appearance, to get to the contents.

So, I'd say that it's really a question of what interests you more - trying it, or preserving it.

One more borderline related link. From the Ministry of Rum, this is Ed Hamilton's post about what happens to fine rum after you open it. It's certainly informative, and a bit alarming for those of us that have a few good rums sitting around. I can't get too worked up about it myself though, as I suspect my palate isn't sophisticated enough to notice the detrimental effects of exposure to air after opening.

-Randy