Barbancourt 5 Star: A Haitian Réserve Spéciale Rhum 8 Years Aged

The Société du Rhum Barbancourt offers a 5 Star aged spirit made from sugar cane juice. What makes it one of the finest rums in the world is its production process. Like the rest of the brand’s spirits, this rhum maintains the signature of its founder, Dupré Barbancourt, a native of the Charente region in France.

For decades, the company has maintained its commitment to quality, natural ingredients, craftsmanship, and double distillation. All begins by pressing fresh and hand-cut cane locally grown. To ensure such freshness, sugar canes are delivered directly from the plantation to the distillery and immediately crushed.

The cane juice is then fermented with an exclusive Barbancourt yeast that brings out fruity aromas. For distillation, they applied traditional French methods such as double-distillation in copper stills. Finally, the spirit is aged for eight years in Limousin oak barrels where it gains its unique taste.

Bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof), this full-bodied premium dark spirit has a smooth quality that will enhance any cocktail. Although, you can also enjoy it neat or on the rocks.

Tasting notes

• Appearance: Clear, coppery amber.
• Nose: Oaky spice, pepper, and wood notes, with hints of green, rich caramel, and vanilla in the background.
• Palate: Powerful, smooth, and well-balanced. Slightly sweet with dry nutty woody notes, vanilla, some roasted trace, cooked fruits (prune), and citrus compote (orange jam).
• Finish: A silky smooth exit. More oak and spice, and a hearty molasses undertone.

The Barbancourt’s catalog also includes the original Réserve du Domaine aged 15 years, the 3 Star Rhum aged four years, White Rhum, and Pango Rhum. Those are marketed in around 20 countries, including the Caribbean Islands, the United States, Italy, and France.

This Haitian rum has been highly regarded in the industry and won many world spirits competitions with excellent reviews from rum connoisseurs. On Rum Ratings, the largest online rum community in the world, Barbancourt 5 Star Réserve Spéciale 8-year obtained 200 ratings and a score of 6.7/10 points. Here are some of the main reviews:

Herman from the United States said, “I found it to be surprisingly good for the price. Nice color, good notes, and quite smooth. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a great rum at a great value.” A post from DelectaBlee also from the United States stated, “It struck me as on the dry side, but subtly sweet with a mild whiskey-like flavor.”

Furthermore, Charles M from the United Kingdom pointed out that “… the fruit is nicely balanced with the oak, and there is a nice kick from the alcohol which is warming and has good length.”

Nickprice from the Netherlands said about Barbancourt 5 Star, “Really nice rum. Not particularly floral despite its origin. Vanilla, caramel, and woody to the taste. Easy to drink. Works neat but also great in a cocktail as an alternative to a full blown Agricole.”

Finally, Handsome Alex from the United States expressed that “…This tastes more like a traditional Caribbean rum to me with a light sweetness on the nose, like a caramel apple. A smooth but full mouthfeel with a clean and crisp flavor of apple or pear followed by the oak and caramel sweetness left behind with just a little heat. A single ice cube brings out the fruity nature on the nose but simplified the flavor. Not getting as much of the caramel notes left behind. I think I would prefer this one neat.”

Rum Ratings has reunited many rum lovers and enthusiasts, spreading the joy of rum culture. Today it counts with nearly 100,000 users who contribute to rum reviews across 6,800 rums from 67 countries. We invite you to explore RumRatings.com and join this exciting community to discover new spirits.

You can also visit the Global Rum Tasting Club and receive tasting kits featuring unique rums based on your preferences. Members will have access to educational Live Streams and virtual tasting with experts from the rum industry on Zavvy.co.

Featured image by Raoul Beltrame