I am not typically a fan of rums from South America(SA). Not because they are bad, they just tend to be sweeter and thicker on the palette than I prefer.

This strikes a nice balance between sweeter SA blends and oaker Cuban rums. I can't imagine anyone not enjoying it straight up.

A friend on a business trip in eastern Europe brought me a bottle of this about 3 years ago. I enjoyed it so much I kept the empty bottle.... didn't realize until I looked here that it is actually a Dominican Rum so that explains my affinity to the taste. All solera rums are not great, but this one is.

I generally prefer Cuban and Dominican Rums(CDR) which I would describe as oaky, with subtle differences that make up the "final taste". They are never overly sweet and are thin in the palette. It's the mix of subtle flavors that determine whether or not you like a particular CDR offering.

This rum is much darker, with a stronger spicy taste, but not as strong as a "spiced rum"....its not thin, but not syrup.

Its very unusual, not like a Cuban, Jamaican, etc. but its very nice.

"Older" on the label means nothing in the world of rum when it comes to taste. Blended or Solera, you never know what the proportions are, so its all up to the Maker/Master/Blender.
This rum was given to me as a gift from a friend away on a holiday....it was excellent.
Looking forward to trying the 12 year old which is availble locally.

In the last 5 years in Canada I have noticed the "Bacardi 8" has had its label changed 3 times. The label shown above was on the bottle in Ontario circa 2013. It was a nice oaky rum, the first from Bacardi that I could enjoy straight.

I have found the latest label/version circa 2019 not quite as smooth, but still drinkable. A good inexpensive standard to have on hand for mixing or sipping.

Inte sä söt som Diplomatico brukar vara ... lite sträv

Helles Bernstein im Glas.
In der Nase Blumen und frisch geschnittenes Gras, unreife weisse Früchte und Holznuancen.
Im Gaumen weich und elegant, weisse Früchte mit Karamell verfeinert, Vanillecreme in einer Holzschale....
Im Abgang sehr dezent, Vanille, Zuckerrohr und Holz klingen nach.
Ein netter Rhum für laue Sommerabende. Für Entdecker und Freunde von Rhum Agricole.

Light amber in a glass.
In the nose flowers and freshly cut grass, unripe white fruits and wood nuances.
On the palate soft and elegant, white fruits refined with caramel, vanilla cream in a wooden bowl....
In the finish very discreet, vanilla, sugar cane and wood finish.
A nice rhum for mild summer evenings. For discoverers and friends of Rhum Agricole.

To be fair to Bacardi, I have never had any of their higher tier rums. Not allot of offerings at Ontario's provincial controlled outlets. I tried the 8 year old and it had a nice oaky flavor, but was still rather harsh compared to say Havana Club 7 or Flor de Cana 7.

To my surprise the 10 was rougher than the 8, the difference being a strong pronounced alcohol taste. Perhaps I purchased a bad bottle ?

The bottle indicates this is a blend of rum produced in Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Loved it. Distinct taste, smooth to drink straight but with enough presence to let you know its a rum. Enjoyed 3 bottles here in Ontario and wish I could get more.

Good value for the money.
Quite cheap demerara rum. Good as a sipper and good for demerara mixers.
In the nose molasses is dominant.
Ona the palate there oak, cinnamon and some butterscotch notes.
Rum is well balanced and mellow

Not a typical Cuban style rum, a little sweeter, but not cloying. A nice change, particularly good for a night cap.

Year in and out, this is the one that comes home with me from Cuba. Don't mix this.

Smooth and flavorful, not dry but not overly sweet. Great example of what the "taste" of a Cuban Style Rum is.

Rum tasting in Köln continued with Captain Cook's Original Smooth & Spiced Rum. Boring bottle and label design. Golden color. Strong unaged alcohol mixed with plenty of vanilla extract and some oakiness to your nose and palate when neat sipped. Strong and dry burn at the end. Awful even when mixed.

Rum tasting in Köln continued with Lidl Liberte White Rum. Pretty nice bottle and label design. Clear color. Strong unaged alcohol mixed with plenty of vanilla extract and some Rhum Agricole styled grassy flavors to your nose and palate when neat sipped. Mild and sweet burn at the end. Better mixed than neat sipped for sure.

Rum tasting in Köln continued with Lidl Liberte White Rum. Pretty nice bottle and label design. Clear color. Strong unaged alcohol mixed with plenty of vanilla extract and some Rhum Agricole styled grassy flavors to your nose and palate when neat sipped. Mild and sweet burn at the end. Better mixed than neat sipped for sure.

Rum tasting in Köln continued with Lidl Rumbero 3y Rum. Pretty nice bottle and label design. Light straw color. Strong unaged alcohol mixed with plenty of vanilla extract and some oakiness to your nose and palate when neat sipped. Strong and very dry burn at the end. Better mixed than neat sipped for sure.

Rum tasting in Köln continued with Lidl Rumbero 3y Rum. Pretty nice bottle and label design. Light straw color. Strong unaged alcohol mixed with plenty of vanilla extract and some oakiness to your nose and palate when neat sipped. Strong and very dry burn at the end. Better mixed than neat sipped for sure.

Rum tasting in Bruxelles continued with Delhaize Barbados 5y Rum. Decent but unique bottle and label design. Light golden color. Strong unaged alcohol mixed with plenty of oakiness to your nose and palate when neat sipped. Strong and dry burn at the end.

Rum tasting in Bruxelles continued with Delhaize Trinidad 3-5y Rum. Decent but unique bottle and label design. Light golden color. Strong unaged alcohol mixed with plenty of vanilla extract to your nose and palate when neat sipped. Strong and sweet burn at the end. Better mixed than neat sipped for sure.