Cruzan Estate Dark
Category: Gold
Country: St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
Aged: 2 years
Alcohol: 40% (80 proof)
Availability: Everywhere
Price: $10-$13 (750 mL)
Appearance (0-5): 3
Aroma (0-25): 16
Taste (0-35): 23
Smoothness (0-10): 5
Body (0-5): 4
Overall Quality (0-20): 13
Machete Grade (0-100): 64
Notes: Don't let the name fool you, Cruzan Estate Dark is actually a gold rum - both in its younger age and golden/amber appearance. Medicinal alcohol and vanilla with a light touch of varnish on the nose. Allowed to breathe, the rum releases very sweet molasses and caramel aromas. Simple tastes of vanilla, caramel, pepper and oak - somewhat similar to Cruzan's 151, though not nearly as sweet and obviously not nearly as strong. Light- to medium-bodied with a mildly harsh yet short finish. Brown sugar and sour orange aftertaste. Generally uncomplicated. It's surprisingly not bad neat. On the rocks, its almost grainy texture gives way to a more silky mouthfeel - and a very slight cinnamon flavor appears. Far from ideal as a sipping rum, it'll do when short on options. It gets absolutely lost mixed with coke and in weak drinks, but at the right ratio, it's quite tasty. This easily beats Bacardi Gold, its primary competition at the price range. I'd much prefer to spend the extra $5 for a bottle of Cruzan's 5-year Estate Diamond, though. Cruzan Estate Dark is a bit short on flavors and smoothness, but this bargain rum is a solid choice for parties.
Category: Infused
Notes: The pour of this Virgin Island infused rum is clear and heavy. The aroma of banana and alcohol is strong and sweet... if only the taste was as good. On the tongue, it's oily and somewhat artificial, a taste that quickly gives way to an almost brutal harshness that is completely out of place in what should be a more mellow and relaxing tasting experience. Cruzan makes nice flavored rums (and their Single Barrel is fantastic), but this one is far from their best - which is a shame since I love bananas and am ever on the hunt for a really good banana rum. Still, I must admit that it works very well in boat drinks and desserts. Blended into a Piña/Banana Colada, it's great. Don Lorenzo's Banana Rum is a little smoother, but I'm sure there's a better banana rum out there somewhere... Cruzan Banana is a fair infused rum at a bargain price.