Not the worst three intro rums, but hardly the best. Especially when it’s a cute blonde who’s clearly psyched for pirates. Where’s the Goslings Old, where’s the Sea Wynde??? C’mon, mate – give Alison some rum that will set her mouth on fire so she can “arrrrr” properly!

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from Internet Wines and Spirits

Third time’s a charm with Cruzan. I’d previously tried Cruzan’s Estate Diamond and Blackstrap rums, and was rather unimpressed in both cases. But with Cruzan Single Barrel I finally see why Cruzan is a household name amongst rum enthusiasts.

Cruzan Single Barrel is sort of the “girl next door” of rums – more wholesome than exotic, yet spunky and intriguing nontheless. The flavor is smooth, sharp, and a little bit peppery. It goes down easy, and is probably one of the more approachable premium rums I’ve yet to experience. I’d definitely recommend it to newcomers – it’s unintimidating, but still packs enough flavor to be the real deal.

I will gladly revisit this rum when I’m exhausted from being bombarded by the complexities and hazards of so many other rums (harshness, various undertones, a metaphorical kick in the face), and wish to instead bask in the steady reassurance that THIS is a top-notch rum, plain and true.

Comfort rum.

There’s really not much I can say about this rum. It gives a mildly rummy aroma that I can only call light and airy. The flavor matches – it has a reasonably potent tingly sensation, but the taste is somewhat wanting. Cold and hollow, like a dead man’s gaze.

It’s not bad, but why bother?

I’ve been told Cruzan Blackstrap is one of the rums that most closely resembles that of the British Royale Navy, which may explain why so many of them defected and went pirate. They should have called this “Mike’s Spiked Molasses”, as I can sum it up in just a few lines:

Smells like molasses.

Tastes like molasses.

Leaves a distinctive, molasses-like aftertaste.

But all is not lost – it might be tough to drink without a grimace, but I can’t think of a better way to start your morning than pouring a few ounces of this 80 proof stuff on your pancakes. Yarrr!!!

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Hot dog! A reader actually took up my suggestion and told me about it – here’s what he writes:

Ahoy thar mate!

Well…I’ve entered the true ranks of piratedom.
Saturday morning I was making flap jacks….when a thought popped into me head….why not follow the sage advice of the Bilgemonkey and try the Cruzan Blackstrap over me flap jacks?!

So…I did.
Now this would have been best if it had been on the teak deck of a 40 foot schooner somewhere in the Caribbean…tropical breeze blowing, turquoise waters shimmering.

And that’s where I imagined I was as I poured the nectar over the flap jacks, stabbed a few pieces with me fork and hoisted them into my watering mouth.

What followed was a sensation that I figure would have been liken to being tossed out of the crows nest and plummeting into the warm waters below?!

Your still alive…but trying to figure out what just happened. Dazed, but willing to try it again.
Only this time add the sweet sap from the northern most states of North America.
Then, it truly is a pirate breakfast treat….Slap Jacks!!!

Arrgghhh….
Capt. E.
( Fan and fellow pirate )