The Real McCoy 3 Year Rum

It is a land of DEET and sunscreen. Rental mustangs. This was the only bottle of white rum I recognized in this small island shop in the Florida Keys. Seemed to fit the occasion. Big nose of banana pudding with toasted coconut and earthy papaya. No hogo (kerosine, tar, etc). Maybe some crystallized ginger as well as hearty oak. That last part is a big surprise by the color but color is not to be trusted. Fruity (papaya, pineapple, mango, overripe banana), sweet with peppery, spicy notes. Dark cigar wrapper bitter earthiness. Spicy, slightly warm finish. As compared to Wray & Nephew it is softer (also much lower proofed) and earthier. Compared to 3 star it is much spicier and a bit less sweet but within the range of comparable. Good choice for a spicy, unconventional white rum. Holds up well in a Daiquiri or Pina Colada. Gets absolutely lost in finger beer. Doesn’t Ting as well as W&N.

Very nice for a 3 year Rum. Floral and vanilla notes dominate.

You know that green banana smell, when you break the peel on a still slightly underripe one? That’s the first thing I pick up. There’s a hint of other fruit in there too, but I can’t really place what. I get ripe red bell pepper too. A hint of brown sugar. There’s a taste of bananas too, and a tingling like chili pepper. Warm brown sugar, and orange zest. Now the nose opens up to caramel, which is on the next sip too. But slightly burnt caramel, with some bitter bite to it. The finish is astringent, drawing moisture from your lips and cheeks, and tingling still. The next taste has something reminiscent of Sharpie or Magic Markers, not in a bad way. Yup, it’s like a slightly burnt, green banana, and Sharpie caramel, and I’m here for it.

Punches above it's weight. Sweet taste and works awesome as a mixer, such as a rum & coke.

The nose is clean, with soft notes of white sugar, mango and vanilla. The palette is on the sweet side, building upon on the nose with a slight burn on the tongue. An easy sipper? For sure, especially with a drop of water. It delivers as the base for a great cocktail though. The price isnt bad either.