The Real McCoy 3 Year Rum

Tasted alongside Plantation 3-Star, neat in a Glencairn. The bottle is simple with an attractive, tasteful label. It has a synthetic cork. The liquid is a very pale straw color with minimal viscosity and thin but lingering legs. The nose presents cream and a hint of melon, between cantaloupe and honeydew, with a faint flash of ethanol but overall clean and appealing aromas. The palate is quite sweet, impressively so for a spirit sourced from Foursquare without added sugar, offering simple syrup, honeydew, banana, and mango. There are Tahitian vanillas, and it's light and fruity. A gentle tingle on the finish precedes a return of sweetness that lingers pleasantly. Honestly, for $20, this is quite impressive. It's delicious, flavorful, and genuine for rum. Its quality and flavor are comparable to the equally delicious Plantation 3-Star, but it gets the edge for not having added sugar, despite being slightly more expensive. Further comparison against other Foursquare entry-level offerings like Doorly's and Probitas is needed to confirm its standing, but it represents great value.

It evokes images of DEET and sunscreen, and rental Mustangs. This was the only white rum I recognized in a small shop in the Florida Keys. It seemed fitting for the occasion. A prominent nose of banana pudding with toasted coconut and earthy papaya. No strong funk (kerosene, tar, etc.). Perhaps some crystallized ginger and hearty oak. The oak is a big surprise given the color, but color can be misleading. Fruity (papaya, pineapple, mango, overripe banana), sweet with peppery, spicy notes. Dark cigar wrapper, earthy bitterness. A spicy, slightly warm finish. Compared to Wray & Nephew, it is smoother (and much lower proof). Compared to 3 Star, it is spicier and a bit less sweet, but within a comparable range. A good choice for a spicy, unconventional white rum. It holds up well in a Daiquiri or Pina Colada. It gets completely lost in finger beer. It doesn't Ting as well as W&N.

I was seeking a clear rum for mixing and purchased this when it was on sale for $14, having enjoyed other offerings from Foursquare Distillery, such as Doorly's 12. The aroma is quite straightforward, dominated by vanilla and a touch of banana. The flavor profile is similar, with vanilla, banana, and a hint of pepper, along with some oak from barrel aging. While I found it just 'OK' on its own, its primary purpose was for mixing. It performs well in daiquiris and mojitos, providing a smooth profile without introducing any unpleasant characteristics. Occasionally, I detect a subtle coconut note in my mojito, but it requires focused attention. My main dissatisfaction is its lower alcohol content; at 40%, I prefer spirits where the alcohol is more perceptible rather than disappearing. Nonetheless, it served as a solid mixer for the price.

The initial aroma is like the smell of a green banana peel from a slightly underripe fruit, with a hint of other unidentifiable fruit. Ripe red bell pepper and a touch of brown sugar are also present. The taste includes banana, a chili-like tingle, warm brown sugar, and orange zest. The aroma later develops caramel notes, which reappear on the palate with a slightly burnt, bitter edge. The finish is astringent, drying the mouth, with a persistent tingle. A subsequent sip reveals a note reminiscent of markers, not unpleasantly. It's a combination of slightly burnt green banana, Sharpie-like caramel, and I find it appealing.

The nose is clean, with subtle notes of white sugar, mango, and vanilla. The palate leans sweet, building on the nose with a slight burn on the tongue. An easy sipper? Definitely, especially with a little water. However, it also serves as a base for a great cocktail. The price is also reasonable.

I had higher hopes. Spicy pepper led to a revealing bite that emphasized an ethanol taste I wanted to avoid. The sweet, vanilla cream with subtle strawberry is pleasant. I suppose I need something milder to sip neat.