Cruzan Black Strap

It's a sweet maple molasses flavored rum with limited usage. I am a fan of Spanish coffee and I decided to try it with Blackstrap instead of brandy and it was delicious. A good desert coffee or treat. I consider this a desert rum altogether. That being said - I don't compare this with other dark rums as the flavors are apples to oranges.

This rum will always have a home on my liquor shelf as its interesting and it changed my coffee drinks. I like it, don't love it.

This has a strong flavor and isn't really set for "sipping". I haven't found a good mix for it yet.

This stuff is so sweet, so very very sweet and rich, I almost say it's too sweet. But then I'd be crazy. So I won't say that. But to each his/her own (taste), right? It's subjective. Molasses, maple syrup and ever-so-mild hints of black licorice dominate the flavors here, and let me tell you, folks, it's REAL good! A little overpoweringly sweet for some palates, I find it odd (to myself, especially) that I actually recommend mixing this stuff with Sprite/7-Up and ice - even mixing with Coke cuts down on the sweetness, if you can imagine that! But it can also be enjoyed straight or on the rocks. Again, worth trying, whichever way.

Saw this on a friends shelf and asked to try it. Should have known what to expect it was her cooking shelf in the kitchen. Very sweet but not really that bad with no bad aftertaste. Would be best used in cooking but I will take her some ginger beer to try with it. Maybe I can get her to trade for some rum balls. I would give it a 3 to drink but a 10 to cook with, for me that comes out as a 6.

This stuff is cloyingly sweet. Reminded me of the maple syrup chug from Super Troopers. We bought this one night at a good price and could barely drink it. I saved the rum thinking it could be used down the road in a unique mixed drink in lieu of a syrup, but it overpowers everything I put it in.

Not really a fan of the Cruzan brand but was curious about the Black Strap Rum. Don't laugh but when I smelled the rum after opening it I was reminded of good pancake syrup. That was a promising sign. Tasting it was interesting. Hits the tongue rather hard but fades nicely with a lingering sweetness that reminded me of a good pancake syrup. Definitely a molasses flavor but not overpowering. I could see this being sipped straight but best used in a cola where the sweetness is accentuated. No objectionable aftertaste. But does leave some odd flavors on the tongue. Now I need to try it with some ginger beers for a Dark & Stormy. I tried it in Coke Zero and was not pleased with how it turned out. This might be good in various rum punches and mai tai's. I believe it would be best suited in baking.

UPDATE: I wrote my initial review/opinion almost 2 years ago. I recently picked up another bottle for a second chance and discovered improvements in this rum as opposed to the older version. I still have the older bottle for comparison and there is a distinct improvement in aroma, appearance and flavor. The aroma in the newer bottle is quite good and no longer reminds of me of pancake syrup. Swirling it around my snifter reveals excellent legs. It is the darkest rum I have sampled. A dark chocolate hue. The flavor reveals the distinctive blackstrap molasses flavor and has a nice finish. Maybe I had a bad batch bottle initially or perhaps they improved their formula. Either way it's worth a 3-point increase in my rating. Definitely a good mixer but also a nice after-dinner dessert sipper.

Forget Dark & Stormy for a moment. You really must try a Corn 'n' Oil cocktail, which is pretty spectacular, and for that you need black strap rum. Molasses heaven.

I like Cruzan rums and Black Strap is a good choice in black rums. It has a strong molasses/brown sugar scent. Reasonably priced. For me it is my third choice in black rums, behind Captain Black and The Kracken. Use it as a mixer with Dr. Pepper instead of cola. It does foam a lot when mixed though. Nice to have around if you like blackstrap rum. Probably good in tropical mixers too. I will try that next.

Very smoky, but lacks the sweetness that it desperately needs. Good with Coke.

Go to Rum for Mai Tai at Roy's. Try at happy hour.