In all honesty I think my booze cabinet was dry of rum (with the exception of a bottle of Rogue White tucked away in the back) for nigh on 5 months or so. But last week, in the wake of several momentous life events, I decided the time was right to pick up some rum.

Now, Seattle being part of the great state of Washington, has government run liquor stores. And the selection is… mediocre, at best. One of the few things I miss about living in California is the rum selection. But I stray from the topic…

I picked up three bottles, one of which is the Rhum Barbancourt 8 year Réserve Spéciale. I wasn’t certain if this had ever been reviewed by myself or any of the old crew… but it’s a fresh start, aye? So here it is.

Barbancourt is a product of Haiti, and I’m not entirely certain that makes any difference whatsoever with the exception of the fact that most of the label is printed in both English and French (good to know, really, because wenches love a man who speaks a little frog). Barbancourt’s label proudly touts their founding in 1862, while their website calls their product “The Rum of Connoisseurs, the Cognac of Rums…”

Yeah, ok. Sure. This rum is a bit like drinking a glass of Hennessy I suppose… and I’m not entirely certain what my original reason for the comparison was. Perhaps it’s because Hennessy isn’t a great Cognac, although it’s the only one that many bars would carry? But that can’t be right… because that would imply that it’s sort of the well-Cognac. And the Barbacnourt 8 isn’t so much a well-rum as it is just… underwhelming.

I wanted to love it, I did. And, to be perfectly frank, I thought I had in the past. But now my feelings are sort of… meh.

If you pass your nose over the mouth of the bottle there’s a lovely maple scent, but as soon as it’s in the glass I find it’s lost in the alcohol, with only the occasional hint of sweetness, and the aroma turns surprisingly metallic. Although I must admit I’m drinking from a metal 1/2 gill cup so allow me to pour myself another small drink into a glass… ok, slightly less metallic, but still, more alcohol than rum I’m afraid.

The mouth feel is borderline unpleasant with no savory notes and a fair amount of burn at the back of the tongue.

Perhaps its lack of flavor is related to the fact that it’s stilled from 100% pure cane sugar. I’m not certain. All I know is I’m disappointed.

Will I finish it? Of course. Would I buy it as a gift for a friend? No, probably not.

It’s a five star rum supposedly, but I’m giving it two stars. Take that opinion as you like.

Tags: Barbancourt, Haiti, review, rhum, Rum

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