Denizen Merchants Reserve 8-Year

I have tried this and it is pretty funky, has hugo and noticed the taste stays in your mouth, stomach, burp this taste until the next day. Kind of oily. I tried it in Tiki drinks, Mai Tai and not what I would consider to use.

Intense mouth feel with slight throat burn. Perfect sweetness. Well balanced flavors of hogo, butter, banana, and raisin. Lengthy warming finish. Enjoyable and well rounded

Tasted at Hell or High Water on 12-7-23. Solid gold color. Rich barley-like aroma. Phenomenal flavor of honey and peaches. Palate is rich and full without being syrupy or oily. This is a fantastic rum.

Tasted at Hell or High Water, Denver December 7 2023
Appearance: Amber
Aroma: this smells like a fine cigar
Flavor: cigar, bandaid, toffee
This is a flavor powerhouse, to be cherished. Do not share with anyone who does not appreciate fine funky rums. Do not mix with anything, it would be a cruel waste of this fine rum

Initially purchased to make Mai Tai's - and it was excellent! Even better with an OFTD float.
Nose is complex - grass, vegetal, tropical fruit - taste is a fruit cocktail mix with a slight peppery finish - very unique. Not really designed as a neat pour but tried it anyway and not bad. Unique and would drink it neat if in the mood for something different.

I've tried for years to produce a genuine Mai Tai, and always fell short of my goal. Sure, the Jamaican part is easy; there are several great choices for that part of it. But the Martinique side of it -- that was tough!
There's a two-fold problem here. First, some people claim that a Martinique Rhum Agricole is the key. I believe the original Victor Hogo would say that such persons probably live on a hill, because all their marbles roll out every night. The spicy, grassy, vegetal notes in a Rhum Agricole go great in Three Dots and A Dash, but they do not belong in a Mai Tai. The second problem is that the correct Martinique rum to use, Traditionale, or Grand Arome, is rarely available at retail.
Fortunately, Denizen's produces this product to Martin Cate's specifications, and since I started using this product, it evokes memories of every Mai Tai I have ever had a a Trader Vic's establishment (except the "Old Way" variation I once had at the Beverly Hills Hilton location a dozen years ago, but that's only because the overproof float overpowered the aroma), right back to my very first, which was in 1982 at the Palmer House location in Chicago.
The balance between the esters from the Jamaican and the molasses/caramel character from the Traditionale is masterful. It is fine to sip, especially after adding a few drops of branch water. I've purchased more of this rum than any other, and it has never disappointed.

I'm not a fan of this Rum. I'm beginning to think I just don't care for the Jamaican style of Rum.

Great rum! Wonderful nose - floral, fruity, spicy with some Jamaica coming through, and you know it is there in the taste, but not funky. A bit medicinal, baking spice up front, mildly sweet. A pleasant bitterness and earthiness in the finish. Give it some time to stand in the glass, the flavors come out even more. Really unique.

I originally purchased this for Mai Tais (per Smuggler's Cove), and while good, it's not my favorite for that drink (though I intend to try this blended with other rums as I explore this tiki wonder in greater depth), but it makes for a wonderful sipper in my opinion. Worth the price.

This rum truly shines as a sipper and I feel like anything else would be a sin. With that being said, I also think this rum would be a solid replacement for the Wray & Nephew 17 year that was used in the original painkiller. This rum has the perfect balance of oak, fruit sweetness, and a finish of grass from the 20% agricole. Do yourself a favor and just grab 2 bottles from the next liquor store you find it. You’ll be glad you did.

Exceptional value for the price - easily recognizable as versatile mixed or on it’s own. U forward without being overbearing - ripe, banana funk but not “in your face” about it. I expected the argicole to shine through, but since it’s made from molasses rather than juice, it takes a much more nuanced approach - earthy notes in the background, rather than grassy up front. Well blended and fine, especially given it’s comparatively low entry price. I enjoyed their 100 proof vatted dark for it’s application in mixed drinks, but this is a cut above for sure. A fine addition to any collection