Notes: Triple distilled in a 5 column still in the Virgin Islands, all Cruzan rum is aged in american oak casks. This version the single barrel, is considered Cruzans flagship rum. Oldest of the Cruzan line, the youngest being its 2 year-old light rum and its older siblings run the range in age, color and proof.

Appearance: Dark red/gold, the color of a good whiskey. Sparkling clear with no hazing separation or floating sediments. Long legs and crenellated edges develop on swirling.

First Impression: Slightly sweetish, caramelized molasses, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, backstopped with hints of tobacco, leather, barrel char and oak.

Taste: Dryish entry, some citrus, dried fruits and flower notes ,walnuts, persimmons, light body. Oak vanilla notes intermixed ginger, leather and tobacco. Nice drying finish to it. Finish is medium-long with a spicy dry tingling to the lips.

Drinks: Works well for all types of rum drinks looking for a lighter bodied but smooth rum in style. A drier alternative to many other anejo rums out there (particularly the Venezuelan or Guatemalan).

Cigars: A natural wrapper cigar, milder type would work well with it.

Bottle/Packaging: Recycled pebble finish glass bottle with rectangular label and graphics (with gold raised lettering) with sailing ship and “1760” embossed on the shoulder. Dark brown (think cigar wrapper) colored neck wrap with old gold colored lettering and a real cork with wooden top, clear neck wrap and paper ring label at fill line sports the serial number of each bottle.

Final Thoughts: Reminds me a bit of Cuban rums, spicy and lighter body than South American rums but more body and complexity than a Puerto Rican rum. A somewhat complex rum with a pleasing dryness and interesting flavors. Cheap enough for mixing or enjoying straight. Excellent choice to try to get your friends on the path to better rum.

Web site:http://www.cruzanrum.com

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