Barbancourt 5 Star Reserve Especiale 8-Year

Easy to sip. Nice introduction to those who may not have had an agricole.

I don't know about how it is where you live, but these agricoles are pricey where I am. Damn, those French have got it made. Well, Haitians actually in this case (a former French colony). Thus, I am inclined to judge this rum more harshly than I might otherwise, given four of my favorite rums are at this price-point locally.

Having been a cognac drinker, one can easily ascertain the link to the rhum agricole variant of rum production. Once you understand the (well-defined) production process, you know what flavors you're going to get. And you get them here. On those merits, one can see why this rum is so popular among agricole drinkers.

Still, to my taste, this agricole did not significantly stand apart from the 5 Year Clement I'd tasted previously (and at the same price-point) - a modest VSOP to the Clement's refined VS (to use cognac terms). A bit smoother, a bit more of those hearty cognac flavors, sure.

But once again, I prefer the molasses-based rums (exception: St Lucia's Chairman's Reserve, made of raw sugar cane but *not* the agricole process).

Great as a mix to broaden the flavour range with a English or Spanish style. Sweet sugar and then grass.

I really like barbancourt's nose. It tells of much more years than 8. The taste is sweet at first, then highly fluctous grassy and finally deep tobacco and coffee. I really like this one. However it is a little bit too strong on the alcoholic odor.

A little light for an aged rum, but it makes up for it in flavor. Nice amount of spice and sweetness, and just a hint of that rhum agricole funk. Highly recommended, and used often for tiki mixing.

It's like brandy with water and no good with coke.

Light, citrus good on the rocks

This run had a light and clean taste with smokey overtones. Great for sipping on the rocks.

Full honey flavor, grass notes and a nice dryness. Light an floral with hints of tannins and wood. Try this in rum cocktails you wanna throw an "island" spin on.

Not a great nose, but really pleasant taste. Not an overwhelming grassy taste common with some agricoles. Just the right amount of slight spice, short to medium finish with some leftover oil.