Havana Club Ritual Cubano

I am a Havana Club fan, but this is just bad from all points of view, starting from the design of the bottle, artificial color, and strong industrial alcohol taste. I had a sip and spit it out. Can't drink it, I wouldn't even use it as a mixer. I paid 13 euros for the bottle. I wouldn't drink this again even if it was free. For a few more euros there's several good options, like the Brugal Extra Viejo, which is in a another league compared to the Ritual.

Certainly not Havana clubs finest, but ok to drink with a bit of coke...

Brought back from Cuba by family, I had high hopes. It wasn’t quite up to them so I may have overreacted. Truth is it drank well and held its own. Not amazing though and would still go 3 or 7 yr HC

Caramelfudge and booze. Nothing really great about but sweet initially

Ritual is an amazing rum for the price you pay, it is not sold in stores in the USA, for about 7 dollars you really could not ask for anything better, at only 37.5% it is super smooth ans easy to drink.

This is the Lady of Rhums . Elegant,smooth,clever,magic. A Ritual to serve it. 1st - open the bottle. 2- pour a long drip behind a door or a corner( primero los santos) 3- you would need a brandy cup. 4- pour in 1/4 of the cup. 5- hold the cup in your hand for exactly 3 minutes curculing slowly to get it warm from your hand. 6- a good sniff. 7- sip it completely .. lick your lips and repite it. That's how you treat a Lady.

This Havana Club Ritual was produced for the spanish market and it was in Spain I found it, never seen anywhere before. Priced 17 Euros would bee okay . Its gets better after 15-20 minutes in the glass! rounder and more body.

Surprisingly good, specialy when you consider its price range (15 $US at Cuba).
Typical cuban rhum, notes of tabacco, vanilla, and a long lasting final. Well balanced ! Remember me the Plantation 20th anniversary, Which cost 72CAN$.
This is remarquable at this price point ! A must to have in a rhum cabinet !

Excellent blend of fruit, sweet, and smoothness. Great neat or in a traditional cocktail.

Just went back from all inclusive vacation on cayo Guillermo, Cuba. That was full of sun, fun and sure of rum.
Even there was literally nothing included from the premium sorts the all those Anejos were fine and scored:
Santiago de Cuba Extra Anejo - 7
Cubay Anejo - 7
Santero Anejo Oscuro - 7
Havana Club Anejo Reserva - 7
Santiago de Cuba Extra Seco - 8

The Extra Seco (extra dry) has exceptional taste compared to all those spiced. Light in color, very dry and pretty smooth, I liked it a lot.

Sorts from bottom line are too sharp with pronounced alcohol and are OK for cocktails only:
Havana Club Ritual - 6
Havana Club Anejo Especial - 6

The choice for more matured sorts:
Cubay 10 - 8
Havana Club 7 - 8
Santiago de Cuba 11 and 12 (only in Cigar bar) - 10.

Bought in hotel store Cubay 1870 Extra Anejo - 9.
Its profile is very similar to Cubay 10 - just more smooth and somehow more complex.

What I bought home and did not try yet: Santiago de Cuba 20. I have to report that all the sorts were less expensive (10-15%) at hotel's store then at the airport. So that is not the duty free, but "extra duty" stores.
Finally, what was "window shopped" only (- USD):
Havana Club Tribute 2019 - 555
Havana Club Union - 420
Havana Club 15 - 195
Cubay 1870 Extra Viejo - 133
Selection de Maestros - 55
Pacto Navio - 55

Happy New Year!