Smells of molasses and caramel with a hint of vanilla and, like their tequila, there is solidly something reminiscent of alcohol to that smell. Not exactly like that of rum, but the quality is there. Like most Ritual alternatives the capsicum burn is definitely there as well and lends itself well by layering onto the smell, which is retained in the taste, along with a bit of acidity and sweetness. Neat it is decently reminiscent of a dark rum, to me, although I certainly wouldn't drik it that way (then again I wouldn't drink rum neat, either, but even so very few of these alternatives that I have tried were really meant to be drunk neat... nor do I think they work very well that way anyway.) I half wonder what this might be like as a replacement in a rum cake, even! Heck I may soak some raisins in this stuff just for fun, too.
I've tried it in hot cocoa with Lyre's Amaretto alternative (1 oz. each, rest filled with dark chocolate hot cocoa) and it hits the spot very nicely for me. It's worked well in virtually every rum cocktail I've tried, but I should note I prefer a dark rum over a white rum and I think this one works best as a dark rum, so that may be more personal taste. Solid recommendation and my current go-to replacement for rum recipes.
