Haiti occupies the smaller Western part of the Island of Hispaniola (the island is shared with the Dominican Republic. Despite this Haiti is the most populated full-member state in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). It is famous for exports of cotton clothing, coffee, mangoes and to a lesser degree r(h)um.
Barbancourt or 5 star as this particular rum is more popularly known has gained popularity (especially in the US) from its associations with hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean who as well as being a successful solo artist was also in the “ground breaking” (doing versions of other peoples songs seemingly) hip hop trio The Fugees. Anyway Ready or Not here we go with the review……..
Rhum Barbancourt is often noted as being an Agricole Rhum. Agricole Rhums are popular on French speaking islands within the Caribbean. As opposed to most molasses based rums they are produced by distilling sugar cane juice (or honey). Barbancourt is produced from sugar cane juice and is definitely a cane juice rum. It does differ in its production to, in particular Martinique agricoles in that it is produced using sugar cane juice and syrup. There is a very interesting article on the Barbancourt distillery here. I would advise reading it very interesting stuff.
My reluctance to try Barbancourt was influenced by dislike, so far of Agricole rhum and other cane juice/honey/syrup spirits such as Cachaca. I just do not enjoy the vegetal/grassy aroma and flavour. Agricoles are pretty expensive as well in comparison to molasses based rums.
The presentation of Barbancourt is either classic or dated depending on your 
viewpoint. I understand that they have recently updated to a more modern, clean white look with their labelling. I think it will be a while before the UK stocks run dry and we get the newer bottlings.
I’m quite happy with my bottle. I like the retro styling. The rum is actually slightly dumpier than your usual bar room bottle and the neck and cap are much wider. This gives an old school feel to the rum. The writing on the bottle is also, all in French with no translation. It’s all very nice and you could easily think you had a very old bottle in your hands…..if it wasn’t for the pink HMRC duty paid sticker. Never mind.
As a cane juice rum/Agricole I was expecting to get a lot of this when nosing the 5 star. The nose is surprisingly “molasses” like. No not in that it has that treacly molasses heavy smell like Myers’s or an aged Demerara but more in that the more vegetal and grassy notes are very subdued in the nose. The nose has a lot in common with a light Bajan rum. Nice citrus notes, a little lime, a hint of lemon moving onto a more fruity green grapes. In some ways it has a little of a cognac/wine type aroma. It also has aromas of both good oak and ageing and vanilla. The nose is as good as I have experienced and there is a distinct lack of alcohol “fumes” coming from the glass and transferring to the nose. It’s very noseable.
Moving onto the tasting at 43% it has that little extra oomph which seems to give classic rums such as RL Seale’s, MGXO and El Dorado 15 that little punch some others lack. I will state at this stage that Barbancourt does show 6g/L of added sugar. Not a huge amount by any standards but evidence that something is added post distillation.
Barbancourt is twice distilled and the second distillation is performed in Copper Pot Stills. (More detailed info at the link I provided earlier)
Onto the tasting. It is fair to say that I have not tasted a rum like Barbancourt. It is unlike almost any other r(h)um I have tried. I have tried more Agricoles than I have reviewed (and Cachacas) just never in volumes sufficient to merit a review. Whilst Barbancourt stylistically is arguably an agricole rhum it is probably more fairly described as a Cane Juice Rum. I drop the “h” in rhum because tastewise in particular it seems to have more in common with molasses based rums. Comparisons between this other than by sheer quality alone are very difficult. It’s best not pigeon holing Barbancourt.
Barbancourt is a very easy sipping rum. It is just the right side of smooth and is slightly dry. It still gives that rum kick I believe most proper rum drinkers enjoy (as opposed to liquor level smoothness). It’s sweetness is slightly reminiscent of a cognac or brandy. It has a nice oaky layer as well in the profile. The vanilla and citrus remains. The finish is long and despite the slight dryness the oak remains in the palatte and offers a lovely silky smooth exit. There is a spiciness throughout a little hint of ginger and white pepper.
This is not a rum which I would recommend mixing. If you cannot enjoy something as good as this without a mixer then I’m not quite sure what “sipping” experience you are looking for. This is a beautifully crafted rum which is wonderfully well balanced and dangerously easy to drink.
A bottle of Rhum Barbancourt 5 star will set you back just over £30 for a 70cl bottle at 43% ABV. This is an excellent rum and an absolute bargain at that price.
It’s a must try. Please do not delay because you don’t like Agricole. This is very different.
This post may contain affiliate links. As a result I may receive commission based on sales generated from links on this page. Review scores are not affected by or influenced by this.
Scott Baist
July 12, 2020 at 9:28 pm
Thank you for this very good site my friend gave me half a bottle for the Fourth of July since for medical reasons I’ve had to curb my imbibing I was skeptical of 5star but I agree it’s a wonderful on the rocks occasional treat .
CAN
April 16, 2018 at 12:01 am
I was offered by my haitian friend when I was 19. buy regularly ever since. 3 stars is for lightweights like me to enjoy daily. if you can finish a red label by yourself then try 5 stars. it tastes sweet sugar cane. for a guy who makes pina colada from fresh coconat and pineapple squeeze out of dry cloath, this drink has enough spice not to mix with anything. if you are such man to drink kahlua , and endulge on liquer chocolate than haitian Rhum has characters for you. drink of choice for Türks is rakı, as for haitians is Rum. it is not a dull drink like cin, but not oaky as scottish whisky. A summer drink.
Mat
March 21, 2018 at 10:32 am
Picked up a bottle of the 15yr old recently. Another superb rum….
Matt
December 12, 2017 at 4:13 am
This rhum is one of my top three daily sippers. Aside from rl s we sales and other four square products. Incredible nose and character on the pallet. Great review thanks.
Tiare
November 30, 2017 at 10:30 pm
I agree it`s a great rum to sip on but I do not agree at all that you cannot mix with it, rather the contrary, it`s wonderful in tiki drinks and other cocktails and was used in classic tiki drinks many years ago like for example the Kava Bowl (by Trader Vic,1940s). It`s not only an interesting rum with great flavor, it´s versatile too. And like the saying goes, better rum makes better drinks! btw in Jeff Berry`s tiki app he writes that Barbancourt rum blurs the line between molasses rum and rhum agricole in that in Haiti they employ sugar cane juice, sugar cane syrup and molasses to make rum depending on availability.
thefatrumpirate
December 1, 2017 at 8:52 am
Helena you know far more than me about mixing drinks but I just couldn’t get past sipping this gem of a rum!
Simon Roy - Canada
November 4, 2017 at 12:59 pm
First, let me say that I really enjoy “thefatrumpirate” website and rum reviews and the fact that you seem to enjoy “dry”rums rather than the many sugar bombs that are now on the market. I have tried about a dozen of rhum agricoles and am not a fan as I prefer the Bajan style rums. I recently discovered the Barbancourt 5 stars rhum which I think is one of the most underrated and also affordable rhums. I totally agree with your review and rating of this magnificent rum. This rhum has become one of my favourites along with Mount Gay XO and St. Nicholas Abbey 12 rums. I must also add that I am a bit envious at the vast selection of rums available to you in the UK and hope you continue to provide great rum reviews, which I believe are the best out there. Keep up the good work!
thefatrumpirate
November 5, 2017 at 1:07 pm
Thank you very much for taking the time to comment. Your comments are very much appreciated. You’ve made my day.
Mat
January 23, 2017 at 10:41 am
A bottle of this arrived today. It truly is nectar of the gods…
Karl
June 19, 2015 at 6:38 am
The 15 is magnificent and a steal compared to most 15 year old cane juice/agricoles.
thefatrumpirate
June 19, 2015 at 3:01 pm
It’s on the shopping list Karl!
Mike Czyzewski
May 29, 2015 at 2:32 am
Nice writeup. I bought a bottle of this for the first time just this past weekend. Really, really terrific stuff.
thefatrumpirate
May 29, 2015 at 5:55 am
Thanks Mike. Glad you liked the review and the rum.
matthew
May 28, 2015 at 3:18 pm
Our tastes match up on this one but again the price to you is crazy. Is only about £15 here.
thefatrumpirate
May 28, 2015 at 3:31 pm
Price we pay being in the UK even at £30 its worth every penny
Dai
May 28, 2015 at 7:28 am
My reluctance to try Barbancourt was influenced by dislike, so far of Agricole rhum and other cane juice/honey/syrup spirits such as Cachaca. I just do not enjoy the vegetal/grassy aroma and flavour
My thoughts exactly on agrocoles. Mind you I’m at the end of my bottle of Barbancourt 5* only got two or three glasses left. Started to enjoy from half way down the bottle. It maybe one of those rums that creep up on you.
thefatrumpirate
May 28, 2015 at 7:59 am
I didn’t get any vegetal notes with the Barbancourt. It is different to a wholely molasses based rum but not sufficiently similar to a Agricole to make me not enjoy it. My experience of Agricole is limited and it is a style I may explore further. Unfortunately Agricole is expensive.