Porteno 15-Year

I've had a few rums but never really did a taste test or tried various imports. So I'm new to all this. This is my first review. By first smell I get the sweet hint of rum, then the smell of alcohol. When I took a sip I get the same hint of sweet with the straight harsh burn and flavor of alcohol. Maybe once I try it a few more times it will get better but at first taste I think it's a good rum to mix not sip

I was looking for something new to try and saw the series of Porteño Solera rums from Columbia. The price point was good for a 15 year so I bought a bottle.
First nose, it smells much younger than 15 years. A Solera rum doesn't always come across as old, so no strikes there. It's a clean golden color, coats the glass well, with slow thin legs. After sitting a minute or two, the aroma softens. It does not smell sweet.
On the tongue... Soft. Then a little harsh. Sightly spicy, alcohol bite. Tastes of an unsweetened, unflavored (unaltered) rum, which is pleasant. But it also tastes like it was aged in new (previously unused) barrels, it's missing something. I don't have the taste buds to name the flavors. It's not overly complex, taste does not jump out. It's a subtle, soft, slightly biting rum. Pleasant to drink. But tastes more like an 8 year rum than a 15, it's just missing the complexity and expressiveness of an older rum. (Man that sounds pretentious! Lol)
I'm not sure if I love it. I don't dislike it, and I'm pouring another glass as soon as this one is done. I need to get a bottle of the 8 and 21 to compare.

Went looking for Brugal 1888. This was being sampled by Friar Tuck. Very smooth. Went with the 21, but enjoyed this as well.

Compared to an Appleton Signature this rum didn't hold up. Mostly alcohol smell. First sip has a definite alcohol burn and not much flavor. Second sip was a little better.

Has a good flavor, but much more bite than other rums I drink normally. Not bad, but definitely not the best.

Not a bad bargain brand for what it costs it has bang for the buck. Not my first choice but it works

I am quite the novice to evaluating rum: however, I absolutely LOVE RUM! I am positive as I sip different brands I will continue to improve my descriptions.
For this one in particular, I like that I can discern the barrel flavor. When I drink rum, I am not necessarily looking for a sweet taste I want to taste rum. I enjoy a little bite or burn. I will definitely continue to add to my diet coke and get better with my reviews.

I actually really liked this rum, especially since the price was very reasonable. The aroma isn’t great but after an initial harsh taste becomes quite smooth. I will buy this again. Actually quite excellent. Upgraded from an 8 to a 9.

One of the worst rums I own, when you drink it straight it’s all burn, it does not taste like a rum

I was excited to try this 15 year sole rate. I was expected a much smoother rum but I still enjoyed it. After the first taste you can never go back for another first impression. It interested me enough to try and find the 21 year bottle.