Travellers 5yo Reserve

Today we’re headed to Belize, to taste Travellers rum. This is their 5 year old expression, and from what I can gather from the depths of google, it is in fact the same stuff as “Travellers 5 Barrel Reserve”. Travellers found its origins in the 50s as a bar for tourists, and evolved over time to a distillery and blendery. Today they’re over 60 years old. Their rum firmly placed in the lower end of the price range, so lets see if this is value for money or difficult-to-digest swill.

This is a series of blind tastings from the “24 Rums” advent calendar. I have not looked at what is in the calendar, so every one of these reviews is 100% no prior knowledge.

1. Dictador 20
2. Whisper Antigua Gold Rum
3. New Grove 8yo
4. Cihuatan 8 year Solera
5. Domaine de Séverin VO
6. Novo Fogo Familia
7. NAUD Ron Panama 15yo
8. Enghaven Blackstrap Rum
9. Zuidam Flying Dutchman Dark Rum No. 3
10. Deadhead Dark Chocolate
11. Rum Magec Ron Añejo XO Oloroso
12. Fijian Rum Liqueur 8yo
13. Matugga Golden Rum
14. Cane Island Trinidad Rum
15. Cane Island Jamaica Rum
16. Saint James Rhum Vieux 7yo
17. Neptuns Rhum
18. Cane Island Cuba Rum
19. Borgoe 8yo
20. Mombacho Ron Reserva 8yo
21. Old New Orleans Amber Rum
22. Tres Hombres 2017 7 year Solera
23. Travellers 5yo Reserve
24. Barceló Imperial Ron Dominicano
25. Barceló Imperial Ron Dominicano (Take 2)

---

Distiller: Travellers
ABV: 40%
Age: 5 year old
Cask type: Undisclosed
Source: 24 Rums Advent Calendar
Setting: Blind

---

Nose: Pineapple, apricot, dark american oak spice, molasses. Seems there is some heat here, though from youth or strength I can’t tell.
Palate: Fruity notes are most prominent, but there is a lighter wood tone in the background.
Finish: The fruit fades slightly, leaving some banana and friendly wood and sugar notes trailing in the finish.
Overall: An enjoyable if simple rum. At the right price I would be happy to have on the shelf as a sipper.
Rank: 5