Barbancourt 5 Star Reserve Especiale 8-Year

I really like barbancourt's nose. It tells of much more years than 8. The taste is sweet at first, then highly fluctous grassy and finally deep tobacco and coffee. I really like this one. However it is a little bit too strong on the alcoholic odor.

Great as a mix to broaden the flavour range with a English or Spanish style. Sweet sugar and then grass.

I don't know about how it is where you live, but these agricoles are pricey where I am. Damn, those French have got it made. Well, Haitians actually in this case (a former French colony). Thus, I am inclined to judge this rum more harshly than I might otherwise, given four of my favorite rums are at this price-point locally.

Having been a cognac drinker, one can easily ascertain the link to the rhum agricole variant of rum production. Once you understand the (well-defined) production process, you know what flavors you're going to get. And you get them here. On those merits, one can see why this rum is so popular among agricole drinkers.

Still, to my taste, this agricole did not significantly stand apart from the 5 Year Clement I'd tasted previously (and at the same price-point) - a modest VSOP to the Clement's refined VS (to use cognac terms). A bit smoother, a bit more of those hearty cognac flavors, sure.

But once again, I prefer the molasses-based rums (exception: St Lucia's Chairman's Reserve, made of raw sugar cane but *not* the agricole process).

There's nothing wrong with this rum, it's well made and has a certain appeal. But there's nothing that jumps out and grabs you by the short and curlies and makes you go wow. The fruit is nicely balanced with the oak, and there is a nice kick from the alcohol which is warming and has good length. Normally I prefer to drink straight up at 40% but this at 43% is perfect.

I found this has a distinct taste compared to D.R. Rums, must be something in the distillation or aging process. Still a fairly good drink when mixed, but not a lot of complex on its own.

Easy to sip. Nice introduction to those who may not have had an agricole.

I'm generally not a fan of agricoles. Others I've tried (and there have been several) have not appealed to me so I've not rated them. With that said, this is the best I've tasted and I like this one. It struck me as on the dry side but subtly sweet with a mild whisky-like flavor. Unfortunately, for my taste it's over-priced (around $30 US / 750 ml) where I can get it.

Kelleti rum.
Billoy verga succa appetae.
Sinodid nea tao kelleti.

I heard about this Haitian rum in the forums, which uses sugarcane instead of molasses and thought I would give it a try. I picked it up on sale for $18.99 which is a good price. I found it to be surprisingly good for the price. Nice color, good notes and quite smooth. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a great rum at a great value.

ikke nogen stor rom, da smagen ikke er så nuanceret. Men den er dejlig. Frisk, med en snert af citrongræs!