Rhum Barbancourt 3 Star

Sits just on the wrong side of the cutline for a balanced spririt. At 4 years, the fresh cane distillate and tropical aging just barely haven't coalesced, and instead end up presenting rough rather than assertive, and unfortunately call to mind some of my more regrettable experiences in the rum pantheon. All that said, there is quality here, and lineage of the longer-aged bottlings is clear, it's just not the snapshot in time where I'd prefer to take my cut. Light gold with a thin body. The nose is mostly top notes without much heft, but is sweet - vanilla, cantaloupe, and ephemeral floral notes before the hogo appears and ethanol eventually forces you out. Attractive overall and in-line with the 8-year plus a few rough edges. The nose is a plus. Light mouthfeel and trends towards sweet syrup off the bat. Pretty narrow band of flavor - a few gentle notes of clementine peel, honeysuckle, pineapple rind - then things go harsh quickly with aspartame, minerality, and some fusel notes. Tangy sweet lingers for the finish. To be clear, the promise of what this rum can become shows throughout and this is a reasonable value, but I would unequivocally recommend shelling out the extra 25% to upgrade to the 8-year, or opt for any number of blends at the same price that offer the same assertiveness but delivered with a much more elegant hand. The same bottle with a minimum aging of 5-6 years might be just right.

On the nose I'm getting toffee, wood, even turpentine, maybe a hint of vanilla. Interesting and somewhat redolent of bourbon. Taste is a bit more vanilla, light wood, and alcohol burn. Lots more burn and plenty of spice on the finish. I'm a bourbon drinker and some say this might be a good rum for bourbon drinkers, but not sure I'm feeling it, at least sipped straight.

A bit harsh and jaggy, a bit heavy on the heads for a young spirit. There is something to be enjoyed though, and the complexity of its elder brethren is visible here. Plenty of vanilla and toffee, and some sugary pear is evident as the mid-palate flows into the finish. Nice, but not quite a sipper. An interesting diversion in lieu of the older expressions.

Gallons have been consumed. Gallons yet to be consumed, and subsumed, before my body is committed to the deep, to be turned into corruption, looking for the resurrection of the body when the sea shall give up her dead, and the life of the world to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Tropical marmelade vanilla nose with a hint of burnt sugar. Smooth taste with individual notes of oak, orange, vanilla wrapped in the grassy sugarcane profile. Not especially earthy. Short sweetish herbal finish. Grassy and bright overall.

Nose is of light vanilla an caramel, comes off almost smelling like a Canadian whisky. Flavor is delicate but earthy and lightly fruity. Definitely a quality mixer.