Bacardi Cuatro Rum

Puerto Rico
40%

£23

“Rum” – from a modern multi column still.

* M

Question: What do you do when you are flying to Edinburgh for the weekend?

Answer: Order a Bacardi Cuatro and review it.

So that’s the scenario today where I am sitting on a plane with a couple of tots of Bacardi Cuatro in front of me.

Bacardi needs no introduction to the rum world, as everyone, and I mean everyone who has ever heard of rum, knows about Bacardi. Bacardi Cuatro is a blend of rums aged four years or more – “Cuatro” means “four” in Spanish and this is a new variant (2018). Included in the blend are some rums up to five or six years old, presumably to give a bit more depth and character to a relatively young spirit. All of the rums are aged in ex-Bourbon barrels.

This is plugging a gap in Bacardi’s range between their basic unaged range and their “Ocho” / eight year old rum.

Under Richard Seale’s/Luca Gargano’s proposed rum categorisation, this would most-likely be classed as “Rum” – from a modern multi column still.

NOTE: Given that I am on a plane I am not hydrometer testing the rum. Also the photos will look a little different to usual for obvious reasons.

Bottle/Presentation 1/3

The bottle is a standard shape/size, with a screw top lid, and will be familiar to Bacardi drinkers. The label is quite sparse as with other Bacardi labels. It highlights the “Cuatro” name and “Aged 4 years” statement but little else.

Although I am tasting from miniatures, the bottles are exact replicas of the full size versions.

 

Glass/Aroma 6/10

The rum is a medium amber in the glass with light legs that are quick to drop.

There is a sweet aroma to the rum. Cracked caramel, fudge and Demerara sugar initially with a faint hint of oak. There are green bananas and vanilla, too.

Taste, Initial-middle 25/40

The entry is light and approachable. It is lacking a real presence, but then at four years old and from a multi-column still, this is what I would expect.

The mid-palate develops a bit of spicy pepper and has honeyed sweetness. It is light in style in keeping with Bacardi’s usual range of spirits but has a little more depth to it than what you would usually find with Bacardi.

Taste, Middle/Throat 25/40

The spice continues through the rear palate where the youngness of the spirit is evident. After multiple sips, a dry astringency develops with vanilla and honey notes and a touch of oak influence.

Afterburn 3/7

The rum is young and has a quick and light finish. The honey and dryness are balanced although there is a touch of peppery roughness too.

TOTAL 60/100

Overall

For the price point, this is not a bad drop of rum and it certainly is a big step up from Bacardi’s standard unaged range. Don’t get me wrong, you are not getting a complex rum full of depth and character that you will sip again and again. But what you are getting is a good stepping stone rum that takes an average “Carta Blanca” drinker in the direction of aged and more flavourful spirits. It is also a spirit that will lend itself to something like a Daiquiri cocktail.

Whilst still light in style, it has enough in it to enjoy it on its own although when you add coke to it, it tastes pretty good. I would hope to see some bars/pubs stocking this – the cost certainly means that a rum and coke would not break the bank, yet it does offer something extra.

Although my mark is not especially high, this is not because it is a bad product. Whilst I personally would not sip this on its own, there are those who will appreciate this at the start of their rum “journey” and as I said, it does make a good rum and coke. That said, Doorly’s five year old is a much better rum for just a couple of pounds extra. As is Appleton Signature Blend, which is often on sale at £15. These are two rums that Bacardi Cuatro will be competing against.

I think Bacardi deserves some credit for this product and I hope they continue to expand their range and quality of products.

Review No. 125

*
P Denotes the rum contains POT still distillate.
C Denotes the rum contains traditional/Coffey COLUMN still distillate.
B Denotes the rum contains a BLEND of POT and COLUMN still distillate.
M Denotes the rum contains MULTI-COLUMN still distillate or is a MODERN rum.
A Denotes the rum is an AGRICOLE i.e. from Cane Juice.
S Denotes the rum is presented in a SWEETENED style.

Marking Guide:
Bottle/Presentation Out of 3
Glass/Aroma Out of 10
Taste, Initial-middle Out of 40
Taste, Middle/Throat Out of 40
Afterburn Out of 7
TOTAL 100