El Dorado ICBU Single Barrel

To be honest, I hadn't a clue as to the ICBU designation however the El Dorado website describes it thusly: "This estate on the Demerara River lends its ICBU Marque to this superb small batch rum. Its original continuous four column French Savalle Still continues to be used to produce this special rum."

Okay...whatever...

Here's my opinion...the rum's hue is a beautiful bronze and it has an enticing aroma...somewhat sweet and flowery. The flavor is somewhat complex but there is a nice bit of natural sweetness to it as well as vanilla and toffee flavors. Definitely an oak tannin flavor giving it a slight bitter edge and a noticeable pepperiness. It is smooth and does not have a real burn but instead a nice warmth. If finishes on the toffee notes as well as a little citrus zest flavor. Not a rum for newbies but also a good rum for bourbon aficionados IMHO. It is a bit pricey with a bottle running around $75 US.

Overall this is a fine sipping rum saved for special occasions. It deserves a special spot on one's shelves. Recommended.

but missing that peanut ester prominent in those. It's 40 ABV, and I've become accustomed to higher proof. As a result, it tasted pretty watery to me. Couldn't find much on the nose, except a chemically taint. A touch of grass? Didn't do anything for me.

I like the other El Dorado rums so I thought I would give this one a go.

It is nice but very different from the other rums I have tried from El Dorado. This would not be an every day rum for me but one I will try from time to time.

This rum is incredible without the cost of the 25 year old rum. It delicious and back to the roots of what good rum is.solid flavour with no afterburn that is soft on the pallets and makes me want to buy a lot of this rum ... It's the same price as the 21 year but so different it makes rum a bit simpler and plainer .Which is fantastic

I think this is the best of the three single barrel offerings from El Dorado. I really did not care for the PM, but the EHP was pretty good. After trying the ICBU, I was impressed. I think the three are very different - and I guess that's the point of the single barrel offerings. Too bad they are so expensive and hard to find. I recently lined them all up again for a side by side by side comparison. Again, the ICBU was excellent and the PM disappointed (me).

In this case, the high price and the pretty face are justified. Thanks.

Almost as good as the EHP; nice balance of oak and orange with a bit of burn on the finish.