Bayou Select

I have long put off trying this one from Bayou since I was not at all pleased with their Spiced and Satsuma. Since I am now experimenting with Martiniquan agricoles and this one from Louisiana was on sale for $27, so I figured why not. I honestly was not expecting much when I got it home.

It starts off with 100% sugar cane juice from Louisiana and it is fermented with cane yeast. It is then distilled in copper pots before aging in American oak barrels. My bottle is from Batch 1704. Agricoles tend to pick up too much of the charred barrel taste, so lengthy aging times are not necessary. This one was wisely aged just right, but there is no age statement. My guess would be 3-4 years. Others have stated that it needs more aging, but that would indeed ruin this rhum. It has minimal vegetal and floral notes. The aroma and taste remind me of a toned down version of Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva, which is maybe why I like it. The sweetness is perfect with only an estimated 9 gpl of added sugar, which qualifies it to border on being semi-dry. This added sugar also would disqualify it in being a true rhum agricole. It also does not make a good Mai Tai. On another note, this rum is best enjoyed being mixed with ginger ale.

Not a good dark rum at all ... Very bad flavour and blend cheating the market

Nice color on this rum. From there I'd like to see them age this more and reduce the burn on the backend.

Review of Bayou Select Rum

Visuals: The first thing that strikes you about the Bayou Select is its rich, dark amber hue. The color evokes imagery of antique mahogany furniture, imbuing it with a sense of refinement and maturity that is immediately enticing.

Aroma: Upon uncorking the bottle, the aroma wafts up in a bouquet of complexity and sophistication. The nose is definitely one of the highlights of the Bayou Select. It's full-bodied and robust, with distinct notes that hint at the rum's pedigree and barrel aging process. The scent is evocative of warm caramel and aged leather, complemented by an undercurrent of tropical fruit and a hint of toasted oak, a testament to its quality used bourbon barrel.

Body: As for the body, it doesn't disappoint either. Bayou Select has a mouthfeel that is both smooth and weighty. It dances across the palate, providing a tactile experience that is neither too syrupy nor too thin. The body is just right, creating an excellent stage for the flavors to unfold.

Taste: This is where Bayou Select truly shines. The taste is a seamless blend of sweet, spicy, and smoky. From the first sip, there's an interplay between the sweetness of molasses, the spiciness imparted by the quality used bourbon barrel, and a rich, robust flavor profile that doesn't overwhelm but rather invites the palate to explore further. The bourbon barrel aging introduces a delightful spiciness, almost like a mild peppery heat that lingers at the back of the tongue, adding depth to the overall flavor.

Finish: As for the finish, it is smooth and lasting, a testament to its quality distillation process. The combination of the bourbon barrel aging and the inherent character of the rum leaves a pleasant, warm sensation in the mouth. There's a faint echo of spice and a touch of vanilla sweetness that lingers, encouraging you to take another sip.

Overall, Bayou Select Rum is a compelling choice for rum enthusiasts, earning a respectable rating of 7/10. Its balanced blend of flavors, aromatic presence, and smooth finish make it a versatile choice for sipping neat, on the rocks, or even as a base for high-quality cocktail preparations. It's a rum that respects tradition while providing a unique, palatable experience. Though it doesn't quite reach perfection, it is certainly a bottle to savor, appreciate, and return to time and time again. This rum has a quality that invites you to revisit it, discovering new nuances with each tasting.

Tasted at Laka Lono 3/27/22
Louisiana made, hence the name
I drank this neat, dammit
Notes say:
Fav US rum
I like it! Vanilla. Dank. Goodness.

This is a great buy for the price. I absolutely love the flavor.

For a brand of this standing I was pretty disappointed. Nothing really meshed. All the flavors fight with each other. The booze won.

Tasted at Laka Lono on 11/29/21. Wonderful caramel toffee and butterscotch. Soft palate. Nice buttery maple syrup flavors. I'm pleasantly surprised by this one.

Nothing special either, but the Potstill-Distillation really helps to give this young rum body and weight. Also, it tastes like there was not a lot of sugar added, if any at all.
If the price is taken into account, there is really little room to argue (17€).

i bought some more bayou rums after the pleasant surprise i had with bayou spiced.
Unfortunately this one was not that great. Honest for the price but needs more aging.
There is some oak adds a more bourbonish taste- maybe also some hints of molasses.
The body is more solid maybe, rather than complex
The aftertaste exists somehow.
Its not so much for sipping but its still a great mixer at a right price.

Maybe my review is biased because i had great expectations on bayou. Maybe is that im 90% into sipping rather than into mixing. To be honest im not regret for buying it but i wont buy another one