Bacardi Carta Oro

Bacardi Carta Oro is a column distilled molasses rum from Puerto Rico, light and soft in the house style and built almost entirely for mixing. The nose is gentle, with caramelised notes, a soft popcorn touch and a hint of lime.

Bottled at 40%, with added sugar unstated, it carries caramelised and coffee notes with a soft body and a slightly bitter edge, finishing thin with caramel, coffee and that same bitterness. There is little weight or flavour development here, and it shows best as an emergency or everyday mixer rather than anything to sip. In a Cuba Libre or a basic long drink it does its job, providing a light rum backbone without intruding. Drinkers who mainly mix with cola and want nothing challenging will find it serviceable, while anyone exploring rum for flavour will outgrow it quickly.