Cruzan Black Strap Rum
I don't get this stuff. Cruzan's idea behind making this rum is to make a navy rum more drinkable by removing most of the congeners and fusel oils that can result from a long fermentation and/or pot still distillation. But these compounds are what gives navy rum a lot of its character, flavor, and aromas. So stripping these out of navy rum is like taking the fat out of mayonnaise--you've taken the soul out of the rum.
If you want to work your way into navy rum, you should start with milder aged rums and work your way there. Cruzan has tried to provide a shortcut, and the result is watery molasses with a slight burn. Black Strap rum might have a place along with other rums and mixers in a cocktail where you want to inject a little molasses/toffee flavor, but that's about it. I guess it also has one other thing going for it--without all those fusel oils, you won't have as bad of a hangover.
Review
Very dark brown, almost black. A whiff of seasoning salt, along with Cracker Jacks, molasses, medicinal, and mineral aromas. Opens very quickly with coffee and toffee flavors. A short, sweet burn, and then it's gone. Very simple, fat, and unremarkable. Alcoholic molasses. Tasted 8/28/2008.
| Brand | Cruzan Rum |
| Country | U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Retail Price | $16 / 750 ml |
| Proof | 80 (40%) |