This rum (or actually mix of rums) does not taste refined. It is rough on the tongue, bitter, dry, and leaves your tong burning. Although the taste is quite bland and similar to a Havana Club, you can taste that it has aged in quality barrels. And when it comes to the taste of molasses, well... A rum does not have to be sweet, but one barely notices the caramel undertones in this one. For a rum that's supposed to be from a Grand Reserve and aged 15 years (not likely) this is a rough and dry liquid that's anything but soft on the tongue like you would expect with the better distilled spirits. It is one and a half times the price of a Havana Club but barely manages to escape the category of bottom dollar rums.