Bacardi Reserva Ocho Rare Gold 8-Year

Golden amber in color. I get quite a whiff of alcohol on the nose, with some dried apricot and vanilla. Raw alcohol hits my tongue right away, leaving any flavors behind for a while. Moments go by and some notes of dried fruits, nuts and vanilla begin to surface. It is quite dry in the aftertaste and pleasant flavors don't linger almost at all. It all adds up to, dare I say, maybe being too immature distill? It is drinkable straight up, but I would recommend this in mixing. With a glass of ice and coke, it goes down like a cheap rap.

Quite a smooth rum, sweet but with the typical bacardi taste.

Nothing wrong with this rum, but there are far better options at this price and age.

I really enjoy taking this Bacardi. I drank the first two glasses only with ice and it felt smooth and did not stay in my throat, then I took it with coke and I felt better. Very good to combine and good to drink it straight.

did not expect greatness by any means and I guess I was not disappointed because this rum just flat out is not good. Aroma was total alcohol. Taste (on the rocks and neat) was dry. I found no sweetness at all and a sour woody flavor. It just tastes flat with no character at all. Bacardi obviously can live off their marketing and catering to each new 20 something generation that comes along looking for anything that will get them drunk. Shame on me for thinking that spending more on this "RESERVA OCHO RARE GOLD" would show a different result than buying their bottom shelf crap for half the price.

Good rum, easy to drink. Feels a bit underproof, with added sugar

An easy, pleasant rum. Plenty of front, some middle, no finish.

It's an ok rum, but to be honest, I hoped for more. Tasty, but not that special...

Dark golden color. heavy oak notes on the nose and taste, vanilla, slight sweetness.
Very good mixed.

While it's always fun to hate on the big guys, Bacardi 8 is a legitimately decent rum.
Definitely more added sugar than I remember from the old label, with caramel and spice overtaking the bright peach/apricot notes.
It's solidly "okay", but won't be buying another bottle, even on special.