Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum (Discontinued)

Sampled neat from a glencairn, this is one of three rums provided in a tasting kit by Flaviar. The pour is a brassy gold and displays consistent sheeting when swirled, with slow-moving legs. I anticipate a richer mouthfeel. I allowed the pour a full 10 minutes to rest before tasting. The rum's scent is sweet, with notes of vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch. An ethanol aroma is also detectable. Primarily four scent notes with limited depth or complexity emanating from the glass. Perhaps a hint of damp wood barrel. Nothing about this rum's smell excites me. On the palate, it's slightly better than the nose suggested. There's a silky texture, an initial impact of sweet cream, and a brief white pepper finish. Some might describe this as "smooth," but I've found this often means "I'm so glad this drink doesn't challenge me and has no spice" - which is a fairly accurate interpretation here. There's a trace of lemon sourness mid-palate, followed by a stronger hint of chemical alcohol. A distinct "paper" note, akin to cardboard, is also present. A subtle aftertaste of banana peels and a touch of floral character linger for a few seconds. Finally, a faint whisper of maple syrup remains after the finish. I had to really search for distinct flavors. I can't help but feel a good rum might be hidden beneath a young, very ordinary filler, and that's where it falls short. No, this isn't working for me. I checked the price, and at $39.99 for a 750ml bottle in my local store, I'm going to label this a definite pass. It's not terrible, but I have no desire to drink more of it, and I certainly wouldn't pay that amount to use it in mixed drinks. It doesn't offer good value and isn't ultimately a very good rum, in my opinion. I'd prefer Mt Gay Eclipse at half the cost.

This is a pleasant rum. Both novice and experienced drinkers would likely appreciate the sweet vanilla-toffee aroma and robust yet sweet flavor, along with the nice acidity and aging notes from bourbon barrel influence. It also has molasses sweetness and a distinct rum alcohol character. While it seems like a perfect combination, it falls short. One glass is an interesting experiment, but a second glass makes one question the desire for more. Bourbon notes are more effectively achieved with fine bourbon, and rum notes with dedicated rum. So, is Black Barrel worth keeping for flavor exploration? No, but it's worth trying if found at a good price.

A fantastic rum for mixing cocktails; it's priced perfectly, neither too cheap nor too expensive, and serves as an excellent bourbon alternative. It smells of charred oak and caramel. On its own, it has an intense spiciness and an oily mouthfeel, with the ethanol not being apparent except for the warm sensation afterward. Personally, I find it excels in cocktails, where its strengths are highlighted, and its weaknesses are tempered.

For its cost, this is a truly excellent rum. If you prefer whiskey, this is a good choice for sipping neat. This is the standard Mount Gay expression, but finished in heavily charred ex-bourbon barrels, resulting in a rich and slightly bitter profile. Again, considering the price, it's outstanding. Update: It appears the price has increased significantly since it became popular. It offers less value for money now, but I won't alter my rating at this time.

Nose: Slight caramel and alcohol. Palate: A swift taste offers mild floral notes and alcohol. A deeper exploration reveals little; the sweetness, caramel, and a toasted note I can't quite identify—perhaps toasted marshmallow or banana?—make the alcohol quite palatable, preventing a harsh burn. Doesn't work well for sipping neat, but it'll suffice for mixed drinks. Kraken Black Spiced Rum is a superior and more affordable option. Rating reflects neat sipping experience.

I don't have extensive experience with quality sipping rums, but I found this quite enjoyable. It tastes less alcoholic than it is and maintains a subtle richness of vanilla and caramel. The spice is prominent upfront. Smooth wood and molasses are present in the middle. The finish has dry dessert characteristics. Recommended.