Barbancourt White

I don’t normally comment too much on bottles and labels but I love the “old school”, more vintage look of Barbancourt, with its wide opening and wider neck. The label is also nice in its simplicity. On the nose the elements are there but somewhat elusive to discern: mint, grass and something faintly briny, reminiscent of a walk on the seashore. It’s nice without being terribly complex. The palate has a round mouthfeel; there is some sweetness and an overall tropical quality to it, before exiting to a fairly short, non-descript finish. Once again, not terribly complex. By rating this rum a 5, I think that accurately reflects the standard for the grade - “Easily consumable in a bind.” This rum will invariably be used in cocktails and it will do very well there. I don’t think it’s a particularly interesting rum, but it is far from horrible, either. The price to quality ratio is also very good.

Since this white rum does not state "Traditional" on the label, I rate it here. It is an agricole and certainly better than most of the industrial cachacas from Brazil, but certainly no match for agricoles from the French West Indies. The grassy and vegetal taste is there, but not in your face. However, it does not lead me to want to take anther sip, nor do I wish to spit it out. I rate it as a 6 at best or a 5 at worst. Time will tell. I have a feeling that this bottle will last me quite a long time from lack of desire. This one is also not a good place to start appreciating agricoles. Louisiana does a better job at this, so give them a try.

A simple (as it should be) clever clean and white rum. A nice flavor that feels natural, pleasant on the senses. Good work Par T. Gardére