Bardinet Rhum Negrita Dark Signature

Bardinet makes this Rhum Negrita Dark Signature, a Caribbean molasses blend bottled at just 37.5%. Negrita is a long established mixing brand, and this is plainly built for cola and cocktails rather than the glass, a workhorse rather than a contemplative pour.

The profile is light and straightforward, vanilla and caramel on the nose, a thin palate with vanilla over an alcoholic, bitter edge, and a young, woody finish with ginger. At a low strength and with little depth, drinkers describe it as bland and best left to its mixing role, much as it has long been used. Sugar is undeclared. It is honest about what it is, an inexpensive base spirit for a long drink, and asks to be judged on those terms rather than as a sipper.