Bacardi 2003 Gran Reserva Especial 16-Year

There’s a lot to like in this Bacardi rum although I thought I would like it more. Although better than the Reserva Limitada the flavours are too mild for my liking. Some nice flavours are there - definitely vanilla, honey and stone fruits as suggested, but nothing overly complex. A lighter colour and you can taste the oak but not overpowering. Worth the buy ($100).

Sugar: Estimated at 10 GPL. This rum is okay but not as good as their Facundo series. Pleasant enough with the usual vanilla, oak, caramel, and spices. It's bottled at 45% and that extra bite makes it more of a mixer or ice required for me. Depending on where you shop, if it's priced the same as any of the Bacardi Facundo rums, I would buy the Facundo instead of this one.

En nariz lo aroma a madera de haya curada son espectaculares y se nota alcohol, la entrada en boca es suave y se paladean los frutos secos , caramelo algo de vainilla.....el paso por garganta está muy bien sin durezas, es increíble que el alcohol en nariz no se manifieste en boca, los sabores perduran, me parece muy interesante darle un 8 me parece poco pero son cosas del baremo, un nueve creo que es demasiado.....el precio de un litro fueron 38€ creo recordar, por lo que me parece justo, es un buen ron, no se si repetiré, hay tantos rones buenos........nunca lo mezclaría, a lo mejor unos hielos.......

It's great to see Bacardi getting into the higher (let's say semi-Premium) rum, instead of the standard white rum. I tried, and liked, the Bacardi Limitada (black bottle), and I feel this one is a little better. A little dry and oaky. Keep pushing Bacardi

Nice rum to sip or be enjoyed on the rocks… this will also upgrade your cocktails!

Beautiful color, very smooth and smoke vanilla notes.

I like the first notes of the taste but the flavour that lasts isn't that special, had expected better!

I lucked out and got the last 1 liter bottle of this rum today for $90 US. I consider it to be a bargain. The usual tasting notes are on the gift box that it comes in. It states "caramelized vanilla and oak harmonized with stone fruits". Yes these flavors are in harmony, but I hate the term stone fruits. Why don't they just say mango? The aroma is also in harmony with the flavors and I rate it as a high 7, but not quite worthy of an 8. It is just not as good as their Eximo and Exquisto rums from Facundo. It is also less woody than their Limitada, which I have it ranked lower.

Update May 16, 2022: I got my hands on a liter of their 2004 Limited Edition 16 Year Rum today. It is bottled at 45% ABV instead of 40% ABV. Awesome rum and a bargain!

Smooth to the taste but it comes back and hit you after a few seconds.

This definitely has flavour but tastes somewhat like scotch. Has peat flavour. If you like that.

This is a very interesting Bacardi addition. I taste the same notes as 8 & 10 but more oak and more depth. I would guess it’s the same rum aged longer in oak. It’s smooth medium brown and unlike any Jamaican, Bajan, or Guyana rum. Easy on the nose, but looses something on depth. Maybe because it’s released at 40%, would love to try it at cask strength. All in all a solid good rum but was expecting a bit more. I do like it better than Diez and Ocho not as much as Exquisto which is definitely a different blend. But sold by the full liter it’s a nice rum.