Tastes

Even more artificial sugar added than even the Zacapa, and yet still manages to be cheaper and more interesting. The nose reeks of straight sugar, caramel and molasses. The palette is much more interesting, the sugar is there but hints of peppercorn and spice liven it up. Smooth finish. This guy definitely gets some flack for its added sugar, but believe me, this would be one dry and woody spirit without it. Even with the sugar I can taste the oak. It’s one of the most popular rums for a reason, it’s an easy drinker, easy to afford, and interesting enough to make you buy another bottle.

An excellent gateway into sweet sipping rums, but that’s about it. Once you dive into the El Dorados and the Kirk and Sweenys and the Plantations of the world, this just tastes to artificial and one note. Bitter entry, sweet palette, bittersweet finish. There’s really not much complexity to it at all compared to its price point competition, which is why I don’t buy it anymore, but as a gateway drug, it more than does its job.