Cruzan Single Barrel Aged Rum

2019 barrel pick, Big Red Liquors, nicknamed "S'mores." I've been meaning to expand my rum arsenal, and I'm sure I knew deep down that there were single barrels of rum sold, I just never thought I'd be able to find any. With this being a pretty great price point, and coming from one of my favorite stores, this seems exciting. And calling it "S'mores" has got to be the cherry on top. Really great color, rivaling medium and even longer aged whiskeys that I've had. There's a slight haziness which I imagine is just a product of distilling rum, but again, the deep chestnut hue is very attractive, especially with the low, base proof. The oak is the first note I get on the scent, but what shocked me is that I had to pull away fairly quickly due to a high ethanol burn. Coming back, and this may just be placebo, but I really feel like marshmallow and cocoa powder are also on the nose. There is just the faintest note of some citrus on the fade-away. The flavor is weak at first, but opens into raw and harsh oak. I would have thought this would be the only wood flavor, but it actually turns to toasted oak, and then charred rather quickly, inputting wood spice, caramel, and so much vanilla into the palate. I get no chocolate flavor here, but there is some marshmallow near the finish, slightly toasted. The finish is slightly hot, but goes back to focusing on the wood mingling, and this is where I can finally tell this is a rum, with the toasted sugar spirit riding out well. First off, this smells so much better than it tastes, but it definitely doesn't taste bad. It's much hotter than is to be expected from 80 proof, and although I have longer aged rums in my collection, the oak flavor from this is very deep, and given that it's a single barrel, it's actually impressive in the end. I wouldn't really use the word "s'mores" for the flavor itself on this one, but again, it's a great single barrel rum to have, and even better that it's a barrel pick.

I enjoyed Cruzan Aged so I wanted to try this "single barrel". It is aged stated 5+ yrs and cost me $30. The nose is sweet and wonderful and the taste really brings it. It has a nice medium oily viscosity. Very flavorful with a healthy amount of barrel flavor and not too sweet. I would swear this was at least a 90 proof because of how flavorful it is, with heat to match (not just 80). This is a big step up from Cruzan Aged, but at twice the price it had better be. I am no rum connoisseur, but I enjoyed this - it is "whiskeylike".

This is an very good blend of 5-12 year old rums that falls just short of greatness. A little more weight and complexity would have been nice, but I feel this rum is marginally better than the Distiller score reflects - and certainly superior to many of the products scored higher. A well crafted and blended rum.

In one word: delicious. I have been drinking lots of spiced rums and dark rums in the Virgin Islands. This one is one of the first rums for the money that I've had. Not overly spiced. Smooth. Sweet. Not overly complicated but still great to drink alone or with your favorite mixer.

Oak, vanilla, caramel, molasses, light baking spices, ethanol and a hint of tobacco make for a delightful nose and palate. Finish is relatively quick with a flash of bittersweet vanilla, baking spices and tobacco.

Very light molasses, lots of vanilla. Needs a cube, flavors are too tight to drink neat. Incredible sipping rum considering the price point.