Objective Notes
Very Smooth (on the RnD scale of Harsh-Smooth-Very Smooth-Extremely Smooth)

Coyopa is a full bodied light amber-colored rum. It has a light aroma of vanilla and sweet brown sugar. It begins velvety and buttery with a nice bouquet of vanilla, brown sugar, and molasses flavors, then it's viscosity envelopes your tongue and melts in your mouth. It finishes very nicely like a warm brown sugar blanket. As soon as you savor your first taste you know you have something out of the ordinary. It puts a smile on your face as it entices you into another taste.

Anecdotal Notes
I decided to try Coyopa as it was new to my local rum shop, otherwise known as the Oregon State Liquor Store. It was on the shelf along with other fine rums, but this bottle just stood out. The store owner said the bottle actually lit up and played a song when you lifted it off of the shelf. A website stated it would play up to 500 times. The animated label is even supposed to activate each time the bottle is lifted. The exotic dancers of Barbados move to the rhythm of the Caribbean kettledrum. The music, specially composed for Coyopa Rum, begins to play when the bottle is lifted so as to accompany the dance. It took years to develop this bottle. Well of course my bottle and the others in the shop had played their last song before I arrived. No matter, my entertainment would come with the sipping.

Coyopa is made from sugarcane gathered during the great Crop Over Festival of Barbados, the annual celebration of the sugarcane harvest. The cane is pressed and the molasses is mixed with fresh spring water that is naturally filtered through fine coral. After it's distilled, the rum is aged 10 years in oak casks. Created by liquor legend Sidney Frank, Coyopa is made in the state-of-the-art R.L. Seale Distillery of Barbados. Originally built as a sugar factory, the Seale family converted it into Barbados’ premiere rum distillery. Barbados has a long history of producing fine rums and Sidney Frank continues that tradition with Coyopa.

Tasters Opinion
Roger - This is a decadent, delightful rum that can be enjoyed everyday. It is meant to be enjoyed neat or possibly on the rocks. This rum demands respect. Don't demote it to a cocktail as it isn't meant for mixing. I recommend keeping this rum for yourself as a special treat or for friends who can truly appreciate a really fine rum. It's priced at the high end of the market but worth it in my opinion. This is a fine rum for sipping, and someday I hope to find a bottle that performs the dance too.

Taster's Rating (10 is best):
Roger - 8.5 flasks

Most recently reviewed by: Roger in September, 2006 at RnD's North tasting room in USA.