One of the more frequent questions that pops up in the search results for our site is what bottles are recommended by Death & Co. This has changed over time as Death & Co. is now on their third book, and each book represents something of a time capsule. If you venture all the way back to their beginning book*, you’ll find Barbancourt Rhum listed as one of their recommended rhum agricoles. At the bottom of this range, you’ll find Rhum Barbancourt 3 Star 4 Year Rum. So nearly a decade later, is this still a rum you should consider for your home bar?
Rhum Barbancourt 3 Star 4 Year Rum
Made from a 100% Sugar Cane and aged in French Limousin casks, Rhum Barbancourt 3 Star 4 Year Rum is distilled in Haiti and comes in at 43% A.B.V. The French Limousin casks are a nod to cognac aging, which is called out in their marketing. Unrelated, the cap on my particular bottle broke after I opened it (failing to catch the threads), and had to be replaced.
Sight: A mild yellow gold.
Smell: The nose isn’t super aggressive, wafting out notes of caramel, vanilla, subtle oak, touches of spice and some heat. Some esters come out, giving a mild green, herbaceous funk that can go along with the cane juice. The nose has a subtle tropical fruitiness, especially slightly fermented and roasted banana, as well, and a bit of woodsy funk. The heat will continue to jump out as though it’s hotter than it’s proof implies.
Sip: The body is light and caramelly to start with a pleasant sweetness. The flavor moves toward green banana, hazelnuts, spice, and slight rum funk. Light notes of oak and tropical fruits climb in with a hint of pepper. The flavors are subtle.
Savor: The ending brings in more nuttiness, roasted banana notes, and subtle esters. The finish is light and mild.
Overall, Rhum Barbancourt 3 Star 4 Year Rum is easy going, easy to sip, and not overly complicated. The flavors a sort of subtle rhum agricole that doesn’t get too wild, but gives off nice woodsy notes from the French Limousin oak casks. The result is something that shaves off the edges of the sugar cane juice, but that also let’s some of that herbaceousness through. It’s certainly possible to just sip on thanks to this.
In Cocktails
Putting it in a Ti’ Punch, Rhum Barbancourt 3 Star opens up into caramelized banana and notes of slight mango with a touch of lime. The finish gets a hint of toasted coconut thanks to the vanilla notes from the oak. Subtle lime pops make it brighter, cutting some of the richness. Overall, a smooth and tasty Ti’ Punch!
In Review – Rhum Barbancourt 3 Star 4 Year Rum
Rhum Barbancourt 3 Star 4 Year Rum is a very pleasant, lightly aged rhum. If you find that unaged agricoles are too strong for you, this is a great way to easy in for some of the flavors without getting overwhelmed. From a usability standpoint, there aren’t a ton of entry level recipes that look for this style of rum. While you could make a Daiquiri out of it, you probably wouldn’t start there. For these reasons, we recommend this bottle if you’re purposefully looking for a lightly aged agricole and have drinks that call for it. Those looking for a rum to start their bar with should instead consult our list!
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