Nose is a little harsh, mainly alcohol with a light tang and general rum like aroma. Flavor has some sharp woody edges, dry, bitter oak, tangy middle note, thin body with a little pancake syrup on the finish. Sugar added? No vanilla or raisin, no maple or butterscotch. This is workmanlike. Not overly rich or flavorful. Inoffensive but not standout.

Did a blind taste test with the real stuff from Cuba (7 year). Cuban won hands down.

Don't let anyone trick you into thinking that this is a real Havana Club. There's no flavor! There's a hint of vanilla and sugar if you really pay attention, but even calling it a hint is being generous. Drinking this is like drinking tap water. Like drinking tap water in a country where you probably shouldn't do that, perhaps. But not more than that. Only for use as a mixer, and even then there's better options.

Does it count if I bought this today to make bananas foster, but took a few sips in the process? Few sips is about all I was able to take unadulterated. Just tastes like artificial sweeter, like saccharin. It probably was meant to be more of a mixer I guess rather than a neat sipper. Anyway, can't complain for $15, and it served it purpose in the banana foster. Will surely use it again for a dessert recipe, but absolutely not as a sipper.