Question on an OLD myers rum

[crazy_skier]

Hi all,
First off, I am new to this forum and am getting into rums early on.... after some time at college I decided that quality is better than quantity very quickly... well usually :D

Anyways, My grandpa was cleaning up his liquor cabinet and having me help a little bit and we found this bottle of myers which looks pretty old. He gave it to me and I was curious as to if anyone would be able to guestimate the age of it. Also, since it is still sealed, should I leave it to sit for a few more years or crack it open and give it a try?

Here are a couple of pictures.

Thanks!

[Edward Hamilton]

Welcome to the forums. The bottle of Myers's you found was bottled before the US went to the present standard of 750ml. This used to be called a 'fifth' which was a fifth of a gallon, or 4/5 quart.

The label, however, isn't much different from the one in this database (http://www.ministryofrum.com/rumdetails.php?r=352). I'd try a new bottle of Myers's and if you like it then I'd open up your old bottle and then compare it to the new bottling.

[Hank Koestner]

Welcome to the forums! Open it now, as it will not taste any different in a couple of years. Rum does not age in the bottle.
The comparison idea by Ed is a good one. It makes it fun.

[Rum Runner]

Great pics Crazy. It's always fun to see older stuff like that turn up.

There is a thread on the forum here about the differences in closures for rum bottles. It's interesting to me to see an unopened screw-top with an ullage down into mid/high shoulder.

[Berbician]

Last time that I tried Myers's, it was rich, dark, syrupy and pretty revolting.:eek: It's interesting that virtually nobody in Jamaica drinks it.:rolleyes:

[RobertBurr]

you can't make a great planter's rum punch without a high proof rum and a good black rum like Fred Myers's to make the fruit juices start singing.

[crazy_skier]

interesting and thanks for the replys! I'll definatly have to spend some more time on this website reading things up, as I just recently found it. One of these days I'll go and pick up a new bottle of myers and compare the two, and from what I have read I will like the one I try first usually? If thats the case I'll make it a 2 day sampling session!

[crazy_skier]

Thanks for the replys. I'll have to pick up a new bottle and do a 2 day taste test, starting each day with the opposite rum, or I believe thats the best way to do it, correct?

Also, the bottle is a 1 liter bottle, so wouldnt that be just over a quart? or would it still be called a fifth?

[Jerry]

Welcome to the forum, Crazy! Myers was my first love in rum many years ago. I wouldn't call it a sipper, but you might try it with a little tonic and rocks. Really brings out the flavor!

[The Scribe]

Usually 750 mL bottles are colloquially known as "fifths" and I think that is fairly close (according to Google, 750 mL is .1981... US standard gallons, so close enough for jazz and government work). Not to toot my own horn or anything, but my journey is fairly similar to yours, at least from what you are saying. I'm also a college student trying to get the best bang for my buck. Currently bargain of a lifetime is Pampero for $20 at the New Hampshire state liquor store. While it might not be the most refined rum, at $20 for a decent sipper, it's an amazing deal (compare about $28 for two cases of good beer, and around that for decent bourbon). Anywho, for more of my observations, check out my blog below.
Cheers. - S

[Edward Hamilton]

Pampero for $20 at the New Hampshire state liquor store

That's a deal, stock up as that's not going to last. The rum or the price is going to change, or both.