Barbancourt : Cinq Etoiles 8 Year Old

Tasting notes and characteristics of Barbancourt Cinq Etoiles 8 Years Old

Tasting

Appearance
A bright golden hue, enhanced by subtle green and coppery glints.

Nose
Lively and dry, it reveals a rich and harmonious bouquet dominated by vanilla and pepper. With aeration, complex aromas of nuts (almond, walnut), cinnamon, subtle notes of curry and citrus, particularly orange, unfold with elegance.

Palate
The attack is supple and slightly mellow, offering a soft and silky texture. The body is powerful, well-balanced, dominated by an indulgent caramel that counterbalances the woody influences. Roasted notes, cooked fruits such as prune and citrus compote (orange marmalade) enrich the tasting. The finish becomes drier, with persistent hints of caramel and orange.

Food pairings and tasting occasions
This rum is best enjoyed neat, on the rocks, with a twist of lemon or a dash of water. It reveals different facets depending on its serving temperature (chilled, room temperature or slightly warmed). On the gastronomic side, it elevates desserts made with dark chocolate (especially with pecans) and tropical fruits (mango, pineapple). As a main course, it integrates perfectly into reductions or sauces to accompany grilled meats, pork or poultry.

Mixology
Its versatility and balance at 43% ABV make it a base of choice for mixology. It excels in a Barbancourt Old Fashioned (with simple syrup, orange zest, cherry and cinnamon stick), paired in equal parts with Carpano Antica vermouth, or in Tiki cocktails, a Daiquiri, a Mojito or a Zombie.

An aged and complex Haitian Rum crafted by Barbancourt

The historical heritage of the Barbancourt distillery
Founded in 1862 by Dupré Barbancourt, a native of Charente, the Barbancourt distillery is a true institution located in Port-au-Prince. For more than 160 years, it has been producing an exceptional Haitian Rum by adapting the traditional double distillation techniques of Cognac to the Caribbean terroir. Having survived numerous historical upheavals and natural disasters, the company remains an economic and cultural pillar of the island. Today, Delphine Gardère heads the estate, controlling 100% of the shares through Delphine Gardere Holdings. Under her leadership, Barbancourt perpetuates its unique know-how, combining family heritage and international renown, while maintaining its unwavering commitment to the local community.

The production secrets of the Cinq Etoiles 8 Years Old
The Cinq Etoiles 8 Years Old is an aged pure cane juice Rum that draws its unique character from the terroir of the Plaine du Cul-de-Sac in Haiti. Its raw material is the madame mevse cane, a typically Haitian hybrid variety offering a singular balance of sugars and organic compounds.

Unlike many agricultural rums, its production method relies on distillation in a double column still, allowing it to reach a high alcoholic strength of 94.5%. This technique produces a refined distillate that promotes optimal interaction with the wood during maturation.

The tropical ageing of this aged Rum extends over 8 years in French oak barrels from the Limousin. The blend is based on successive passages through new barrels, red barrels and old barrels. This complex method allows for rapid extraction of aromas thanks to the Haitian climate, giving the Cinq Etoiles 8 Years Old remarkable depth. Bottled at 43% ABV in a 70cl format, it is now globally recognised and has won numerous medals.