El Dorado 3-Year Rum Review: A Budget-Friendly Gem
El Dorado is not a city made of gold—but it sure tastes like it! I’m, of course, talking about El Dorado 3-Year Rum, one of my favorite budget rums.
This rum hails from Guyana and is cask-aged for three years before being charcoal-filtered. Produced by the renowned Demerara Distillers, which is known for crafting high-quality wines and spirits, this rum lives up to the brand’s reputation.
But let’s dive right into the review!
Rum Profile
- Color: White rum
- Age: 3 years
- Distillery: Demerara Distillers
- Base: Molasses
- Cask: Oak barrel
- Additives: N/A
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Light ethanol, mild fruity and floral notes, with a strong coconut aroma.
- Taste: Vanilla, oak, a hint of coconut, and tropical fruit, with a mild alcohol presence.
• Finish: A noticeable burn with a lingering coconut aftertaste.
Overall Impression
For a budget rum, El Dorado 3-Year delivers a great flavor profile once you get past the initial burn. Given its youth and affordability, it’s a solid addition to any bar.
When drinking this neat, I found it pairs well with a mild cigar—something creamy to balance the rum’s tropical notes. I chose the Henry Clay Warhawk, which brought out the coconut and floral elements, creating an almost Mojito- or Daiquiri-like experience on my palate.
Mixing Test: Caribbean Mule
El Dorado’s website and bottle label suggest that this rum is “perfect for mixing cocktails.” So, I decided to put that claim to the test by making a Caribbean Mule—a cocktail combining rum, lemon, and ginger.
How Did It Taste?
The cocktail enhanced the rum’s vanilla, coconut, and even dark chocolate-covered almond flavors, with the finish being pure coconut. Drinking it in a mule made me feel like I should be on a beach in flip-flops, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and a grass skirt.
Of course, I had to pair this with another cigar. This time, I went with the Tabernacle Havana Seed from Foundation Cigars. Its rich chocolate and nutty flavors amplified the rum’s coconut and oak characteristics, making for an incredibly enjoyable combination.
Final Verdict
El Dorado 3-Year is a versatile and flavorful budget rum that works well both neat and in cocktails. At just $20, it’s hard to find a better beginner-friendly and affordable option. Whether you’re sipping it straight or mixing it up, this rum is a great bang for your buck!
Would I buy it again? Absolutely.
Logan Huddleston
Hello, my name is Logan Huddleston. I own and operate To Cigar, which provides cigar and alcohol content on all major social media platforms. My goal is to connect with and engage other GenZers to help them fall in love with cigars and cigar culture. I do reviews, memes, recipes, pairings, pretty much anything that connects with my audience. Most nights, I can be found with a cigar in one hand and a good drink in the other. Life brings us many questions, but I’m fond of saying, the answer is always To Cigar!
