Bayou 2011 Reserve Select Barrel

Note: I'm a sipper. My opinion is based on sipping characteristics.

I can't even begin to describe just how unprepared this got me! Exceptional stuff! Exceptional! Didn't expect that for sure. So complex, it's amazing. I don't know how it's even possible for a rum aged "up to 3 years" to look and feel as a 15- year old and frankly I don't care. Absolutely astounding. And at that price range, there is nothing, I repeat nothing that comes even close. It totally decimated my other surprise and ever since go-to all-rounder Flor de Caña Gran Reserva 7-Year.

This Louisiana rum from Bayou is a molasses rum. The sugarcane has grown in the soils around the Mississippi River Delta. After fermentation it’s distilled in a copper pot still whereafter it’s aged in ex-bourbon barrels for up to 4 years using the Solera method.
The nose is fruity and spicy with recognizable hints of vanilla, cinnamon and apple.
At the palate it’s oaky and dry with tastes of bourbon and hints of cinnamon and maple.
The finish is dry and rather short with notes of fruits and oak.
Overall a quite bland rum with lots of bourbon taste.
Picture: The bottle and my poured glass at the Stockholm Beer & Spirits Fair 2023.

Начальные линейки рома данной марки хороши. Осталось попробовать их вершину - марди гра!

US made rum?! I have to admit I had some prejudices, but they all vanished once I opened the bottle. A smooth one, good as a sipper, but could be used as a mixer. A bit sweet for my taste, but it has complexity.
One of the top tier rums in its price range, that's why I give ot 8/10 instead of 7.

Тип рома: выдержанный
Страна происхождения: США, Луизиана, Лакассин
Дистиллерия и боттлер: Bayou Distillery(louisiana Spirits LLC)
Сырьё: меласса
Оборудование для дистилляции: pot still
Бочки: Bourbon barrels
Выдержка: до 4ёх лет по методу Solera
Добавленный сахар: 1 г/л
Краситель: есть
Крепость: 40%
Объём: 700 мл
Дата розлива: 12.01.2022 (Batch № 007, bottle 06681)

Нос. Ваниль, шоколад, кофейные зёрна, нуга, печёное яблоко, корица, тёмные ягоды.
Вкус сладкий, карамельный, немного фруктовый (яблочный и цитрусовый), уходящий в кофейность, ореховость, ягодную кожицу, с обилием слегка кусачих специй (корица, гвоздика, перец, кардамон).
Послевкусие суховатое, средней продолжительности. Яблоко, тёмные ягоды, специи, кофе и дубовая горчинка последовательно сменяют друг друга.

Ничего сверхвыдающегося, но добротно сделанный ром начального уровня за привлекательную цену. Чуть более сконцентрированный, пряный и кажущийся более алкогольным, тяжеловатым, чем ромы в испанском стиле. Компания - производитель заслуживает доверие и стоит повнимательнее присмотреться к другим её продуктам.

A very good surprise when opened this bottle.
Found it in Switzerland in a shop where you normally buy your gardening and house equipment, for 29 swiss francs. Having low expectations on something make you feel good when you finally try it and it comes to be good. My first flavour i retain is a nice cinnamon hint. Medium smooth, and very well balanced. I recommend it. The bottle is quiet elegant too. My hat off to this young American brand of Louisianna.

Bayou Reserve Select is not a 2011 batch; "est.2011" is simply noted in very small text on the label (presumably the date the company was established). Regardless, I was pleasantly suprised to find this very inexpensive rum to be an excellent sipper. Not too sweet and no forward alcohol taste that I expect with many rums in this price bracket. At a mere $37 Canadian I hope the LCBO starts to carry this as regular stock.

Wasn't expecting much but I was surprised went down easy good value

Rich gold. Standard signature of this brands aroma but WOW this flavor is fantastic. The oakiness wood flavors and caramel toasted taste- outstanding. Leathery finish. Yum.