Ron Hacienda Santa Ana Cask Strength

To my palate, this functions solely as a mixer for a superior daiquiri. I acquired this on a whim because it was offered at a reduced cost. It is produced by the same company that makes Barrilito, and some individuals with greater insight than myself believe it to be a "cask strength Barrilito." On the nose, there's isopropyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and a faint trace of vanilla. Yes, I repeated isopropyl alcohol. That is overwhelmingly the primary aroma I detect when I bring a glass of this near my face. If I hold it there for an extended period, I can perceive a whiff of vanilla just before the need to pull away arises due to the isopropyl alcohol beginning to irritate my nasal passages. On the palate, it's more akin to isopropyl alcohol and vanilla with a whisper of cinnamon. I mean, I've never actually consumed isopropyl alcohol, but then again, I've also never consumed anything as harsh as this. It is, nonetheless, more agreeable than the aroma, as the vanilla is more pronounced, some caramel emerges, and there's even a hint of spice before the finish arrives with more isopropyl alcohol. I'm not typically one to dilute beverages, but in this instance, I felt it was necessary for my own well-being. (Speaking of which, the label includes a caution against pouring it directly from the bottle onto an open flame, due to the potential for "uncontrolled flaming.") A generous amount of water effectively tempers the isopropyl alcohol, and the aroma becomes quite pleasant. It's predominantly vanilla now, but it's enjoyable. There's cinnamon and perhaps even some nutmeg. Not intricate, but pleasant. Unfortunately, when consumed with water, the palate tastes somewhat, well, diluted. There's still a bit of isopropyl alcohol, and the vanilla is somewhat muted. The finish transitions from isopropyl alcohol to a watered-down vanilla extract. Oh well. So why am I assigning this a score of 2.75 instead of, say, 1 star? Well, I had a brilliant and entirely novel concept to incorporate it into a daiquiri, and that is where this rum redeems itself. It integrates seamlessly with lime, the isopropyl alcohol is eliminated, and you're left with a smooth cocktail that delivers a significant impact. At 69% ABV, it's practically like having two daiquiris in one! As I mentioned, I purchased this at a favorable price, specifically $16 for the bottle. At that cost, I'm surprised to find myself stating that I would actually purchase it again because it represents a rather good value as a daiquiri enhancer. Unfortunately, upon further investigation, I've discovered the typical price ranges from $25 to $30 a bottle, which makes it less appealing. Please note that I acquired this bottle in September 2021, after the initial surge of panic-buying during the pandemic had subsided. During mid-2020 when hand sanitizer was scarce, it might have possessed additional utility for unintended purposes. Superior rum exists. I would not advise purchasing this for sipping, whether neat, with water, or on ice. If you enjoy daiquiris and can procure this at a low cost, savor it, and please refrain from operating heavy machinery.