Parrot Bay Coconut

Nose: Artificial coconut essence. Palate: Simple syrup, artificial coconut essence. Finish: Blindingly short. Artificial coconut essence. You may have come across Parrot Bay flavoured rum previously – this is NOT that stuff, which Is why I’m posting this review, and the next three, under a new listing on Distiller. Parrot Bay flavoured rums, of which the coconut flavour is the best known, were a sub-brand of Captain Morgan rum. I believe the company was acquired by Sazarac some time ago (and Diageo somehow figures in the ownership as well). Since then Parrot Bay is no longer the same product, in more ways than one. You can still find Captain Morgan Parrot Bay flavoured rum at the original strength (45%abv for the coconut, 21% for the variety of other fruit flavours), however the labels now say “Caribbean Rum” instead of “Puerto Rican Rum”. More annoying and devious, however, is the range of miniatures and small bottles sold by the company. THESE ARE NOT RUM! They are white spirit based on malt distillate and are sold at a uniform strength of 16% abv. The labels clearly state that they contain a product of the USA that is a “Malt beverage with natural flavours” (see the linked photo). Note that "natural flavours" can legally mean artificial flavouring depending on how the flavouring chemicals are produced. The labels also do not have "Captain Morgan" stated anywhere. Parrot Bay was never more than a quotidian supermarket brand of white rum but the flavours now are inferior to even the original range and these “beverages” contain a LOT of added sugar. These are just bottom-shelf liqueurs and not flavoured rum, so buyer beware. Mrs Cascode and I fell for the marketing and bought 4 of these miniatures today (coconut, pineapple, mango and passionfruit) hoping to use them in tiki drinks now the weather is getting warmer over here. Sadly, they are all very poor and after a quick taste for reviews we will not be touching them again. Unless you see the name “Captain Morgan” on the label above Parrot Bay – DO NOT BUY IT! and even if you do see it ... think again. “Poor” : 63/100 (1.25 stars)

Neat: Sweet coconut, syrup, easy drinking. Decent This is 21% ABV (42 Proof)