I'm very surprised by the people saying it's very banana forward. I don't agree at all. To me it's much more rhum forward with it's grassy notes on the nose and the front of the palate. The banana is there but it rather elevates the other components. The cognac and rum is there but it's building the backbone for the rhum and the lime zest rather than taking the centre stage.
Overall a very nice cocktail. It's balanced and does something new.
I realised what it is - a more complex Caipirinha. Leave the lime husk in and it's even more of a faux Caipirinhia. It's honestly really delicious, give it a try!
I really, really like creme de banane. Or at least the one I have (Massenez). It's definitely a little more than "subtle" here, haha (I'd contrast to the Iz Bananaz which has a similarly large amount of it but far less banana flavour). Still incredibly delicious and worth 4.5, but any nuances of the cognac or the rhum agricole are lost by banana.
I fortunately found this to be sublime. My ingredients: Flor de Cana 4 (dark), Decortet VS Cognac, Giffard Banane du Bresil, lime juice, Rhum J.M. 100 proof, 2:1 Jamaican demerara syrup, catmint garnish (it's early in NJ, my other mints have not yet sprung), two blocks of ice in a basic rocks glass... The recipe here looked fantastic, and it didn't disappoint. (4 May 2023, 9:34a)
Did not care for this at all. I found the banana taste overpowering. Even will I cut back on the banana by 1/3. The rest of the ingredients made it drinkable, but definitely will not have again. I think it is a waste of good rum, rhum. and cognac.
The havana especial is used as a backdrop for a delicious cognac and banana cream blend. The addition of French agricultural rum is a genius idea that gives a freshness to the whole. I would suggest using a high quality overproof agricultural white rum (e.g. Pere Labat 59) to reinforce the effect.
First time I made this it was a touch too sour, and neon yellow in colour (no access to ‘quality’ creme de banane). I upped the demerera and the colour and taste improved greatly. Quite delicious and matching the description
Overall a very nice cocktail. It's balanced and does something new.