Denizen Merchants Reserve 8-Year

Faint nose, taste is burnt toffee with a kick of spice and peppery burn finish. Strong but controlled and not overpowering, heats the chest. Really solid sipper, would rate higher if it had a stronger nose. A rater said lost spirits (now closed :( and smith and cross, I’d say lost spirits with a splash of admiral rodney)

This rum has earned a reputation for being a tasty addition to tiki cocktails, but I think it also holds its own when enjoyed neat. While it may not boast the same prestige as a high-end rum, it's still a solid choice that won't break the bank. Its flavor profile is complex and interesting, with a hint of funk that's characteristic of Jamaican rums. At this price point, I think it's definitely worth keeping on hand in your bar.

The end & aftertaste are a bit off for me. Even mixed, it's not something I hurry to buy again.

Made for the Mai Tai, but taste is so good it is my go-to rum for any cocktail where I want to taste this delicious blend. Nice light color, smooth texture, notes of rhum agricole and funky notes.

I have tried this and it is pretty funky, has hugo and noticed the taste stays in your mouth, stomach, burp this taste until the next day. Kind of oily. I tried it in Tiki drinks, Mai Tai and not what I would consider to use.

Intense mouth feel with slight throat burn. Perfect sweetness. Well balanced flavors of hogo, butter, banana, and raisin. Lengthy warming finish. Enjoyable and well rounded

Tasted at Hell or High Water on 12-7-23. Solid gold color. Rich barley-like aroma. Phenomenal flavor of honey and peaches. Palate is rich and full without being syrupy or oily. This is a fantastic rum.

Tasted at Hell or High Water, Denver December 7 2023
Appearance: Amber
Aroma: this smells like a fine cigar
Flavor: cigar, bandaid, toffee
This is a flavor powerhouse, to be cherished. Do not share with anyone who does not appreciate fine funky rums. Do not mix with anything, it would be a cruel waste of this fine rum

Initially purchased to make Mai Tai's - and it was excellent! Even better with an OFTD float.
Nose is complex - grass, vegetal, tropical fruit - taste is a fruit cocktail mix with a slight peppery finish - very unique. Not really designed as a neat pour but tried it anyway and not bad. Unique and would drink it neat if in the mood for something different.

I've tried for years to produce a genuine Mai Tai, and always fell short of my goal. Sure, the Jamaican part is easy; there are several great choices for that part of it. But the Martinique side of it -- that was tough!
There's a two-fold problem here. First, some people claim that a Martinique Rhum Agricole is the key. I believe the original Victor Hogo would say that such persons probably live on a hill, because all their marbles roll out every night. The spicy, grassy, vegetal notes in a Rhum Agricole go great in Three Dots and A Dash, but they do not belong in a Mai Tai. The second problem is that the correct Martinique rum to use, Traditionale, or Grand Arome, is rarely available at retail.
Fortunately, Denizen's produces this product to Martin Cate's specifications, and since I started using this product, it evokes memories of every Mai Tai I have ever had a a Trader Vic's establishment (except the "Old Way" variation I once had at the Beverly Hills Hilton location a dozen years ago, but that's only because the overproof float overpowered the aroma), right back to my very first, which was in 1982 at the Palmer House location in Chicago.
The balance between the esters from the Jamaican and the molasses/caramel character from the Traditionale is masterful. It is fine to sip, especially after adding a few drops of branch water. I've purchased more of this rum than any other, and it has never disappointed.