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[Chè]

My knowledge on rum’s is limited at best.
I tend to stick with Brugel & Barbancourt because I know
they are dry. There is also one I like very much from Panama.
The name escapes me. I should put more effort into research.
Che, you seem to be very knowledgeable.
Are there any “drier” rum’s you would suggest I try?

I do enjoy Barbancourt (8 & 15) a lot. Brugel I'm kinda ify about but will not walk away from a measure.

Was the Panamanian rum you're thinking of Ron Abuelo? Did I mention Plantation has a Panamanian rum bottle too? My best guess is theirs is hand picked rum from VARELA HERMANOS, S.A. the maker of Abuelo rums.

If Barbancourt is your standard measuring stick for "dry", I'd say your choices get slim. Besides Brugel, my guess is you'd probably like Ron Barrilito 3 star (Puerto Rican), maybe Flor de Cana 12 year old or the 18 (Nicaragua). The thing at least for me is, unless one is really acclimated to rum, drier & less sweet rums tend to be tougher to sip (neat) than sweeter ones.

Barbancourt is somewhat of an anomaly. If you like all the flavor in Barbancourt (beyond its drier less sweet components) including its grassier lighter overtones, then what you'll actually want to give a shot is "Agricole Rhums". Look for Depaz Blue Cane Rhum or Clement VSOP to begin with. As far as the pure cane grassy notes go, agricoles tend to be like extreme Barbancourt. Very dry, very grassy and to many witnesses, much rawer.

From what little I understand, Barbancourt tends to be made using Agricole methods, but supply-wise they supplement by use of some molasses in their process. Not sure if that is exactly it but haven't really reason to question it. True Agricole is made from fresh pressed sugar cane (ABSOLUTELY NO MOLASSES).

Hope the drivel above is of some help.