I have reviewed The Real McCoy 5 before, and at first, I really didn’t like it. I thought it tasted pretty much like Whiskey. I don’t really agree with myself anymore. I think that it tastes like a pretty decent, though kind of bland, rum, with some notes of vanilla and spice. Maybe it was the charred barrel that was throwing me off. I have learned to appreciate that flavor through Pusser’s. In general, Bajan rums just don’t turn me off as much as they used to.

Note: No age statement, but Difford’s Guide says it’s aged 5+ years

Review

I will be comparing Old Brigand Black label with The Real McCoy 5, since I don’t have that many bottles from Barbados, and it’s about the closest in age that I have a full bottle of.

Smell

Old Brigand has a sweet smell of vanilla and oak, and not really much else. Pretty much the same is the case with The Real McCoy.

Taste

The flavor is a pretty classic bajan flavor of vanilla, oak, and something that’s a touch bitter, earthy, and maybe green apple, that I associate with rum from Foursquare. It’s not very flavorful, with the notes being quite subtle. Going back and forth between Old Brigand and The Real McCoy, it’s really hard to tell a difference, as both have very similar and very light flavors. Perhaps Old Brigand burns just a touch less than The Real McCoy? But that’s about it.

As is the case with most Foursquare rums, I find that adding some sugar brings out more flavors. Though I also pulled out my bottle of Doorly’s 14 for comparison, and it’s not even a competition. Doorly’s 14 is also basically the exact same flavor, but so much more bold and concentrated.

In a daiquiri, I also really couldn’t tell either apart. Both make decent daiquiris. Nothing super exciting or super off about either.

Verdict 6/10

I give Old Brigand Black Label the same score that I gave to The Real McCoy 5 Year. Since Old Brigand tastes basically identical to The Real McCoy but costs 25% less, it’s definitely the better value. However, if you really like the flavors of Foursquare, there really is no replacing Doorly’s 14 or the Foursquare branded bottlings. This rum doesn’t really sing neat or in a daiquiri, but it’s priced to compete with Appleton Signature and is just a touch more expensive than Bacardi, in which case, it’s not bad for the price.