El Dorado 5-Year

Great for mixing but I wouldn't drink it neat. That is why the 6/10.
Good value for money!

Aroma
Nutty, mild molasses, and a hint of caramel.

Taste
Molasses, brown sugar, and a hint of cherry.

This rum makes a great mixer! This is a blended aged rum under Martin Cate's classification system and it plays that role beautifully. It has some great flavors but none are too overpowering. This fulfills a great role in any Tiki bar by presenting a rum that is a sweeter, more mild version of a blended aged rum that balances out the stoutness of blended black overproof rum. A great buy and a must have for any Tiki bar!

It’s not bad as a sipper but I wouldn’t say it’s “good” pretty decent in a Mai tai

pas trop fan de rums britanniques et celui-ci est très fort en épices et réglisse.

This rum is super mellow. Aside from some moderate spice on the front end, the rum doesn't hit you hard at all. Butterscotch, caramel, light notes of milk chocolate and vanilla. A touch of fruits, such as banana and orange peel.
I think that the El Dorado 8 is a more robust and complex version of this spirit, and the El Dorado 12 serves as a better smooth, desserty sipper. Still, not a bad bottle necessarily.

Good rum to sipping. The smell of almonds and dried plums. Good value for money.

Notes of brown sugar, molasses, and burtnt sugars on the nose. Great for mixing in a Three dots and a dash or in coffee.

The palate gets better with age. Try the 8 or the 12.

I do really like El Dorado in general, but this is my least favorite of the core lineup. It's reasonably tasty, not too harsh (some minor burn), but there are many, better 5 year old rums at this price point. This one is a bit rough around the edges, feels immature. Sippable, yes - but much better as a mixer in my opinion. El Dorado claims best straight or on the rocks, but I've gotta disagree, and is why I'm giving it a 6. Each to their own, but I think the 8 year is where El Dorado starts getting good as a sipper.

Good price point. Good mixer. Not much of a sipper but they don't all have to be.

I like the 5-year, however, the $44 price point makes it not worth purchasing over the far superiors. 12-year, which costs $3 more. It's an easy purchase if it's the only affordable aged rum available.