Diplomatico - Reserva Exlusiva - Rum
$35
Diplomatico – Reserva Exlusiva – Rum
Proof: 80
Age: 12 Years
Distillery: Destilerías Unidas S. A. (DUSA)
Type: Aged Rum (Likely Sweetened)
Mash: Blended from 3 different varieties of sugar cane (Romana, Venezuela and Canal Point)
Website: Diplomatico Rum
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article.
Nose: Very VERY sweet. Not surprising given this is a rum and I’m used to Bourbons. Sugar Cookies, Raisins, Red Gummi Bears, Molasses, and Toffee.
Taste/Palate: Just as rich on the palate as the nose. Thick and smooth. Dark fruits upfront (Figs), Licorice, Vanilla, Toffee, slight hint of Oak.
Finish: The finish has Brown Sugar and Blackstrap Molasses. Very mild alcohol presence. A little Caramel and Toffee. Tails off with Sweet Cinnamon.
Verdict: This is a good entry point into “sipping” rums. Most of us out there have had rum inspired drinks (Rum Runner, Daiquiri, Pina Colada, and of course Rum and Coke) to name a few. This is good in a cocktail (see the story below), but you can also drink this neat. The best way to describe this is entry level top shelf rums. This isn’t your Captain Morgan or Bacardi Silver.
The Story: I was visiting a bar that is known for their crazy cocktails. These guys know cocktails inside and out. I ordered a drink that sounded interesting. I took a picture of it with the ingredients but I can’t find it for the life of me. All I know is that it had Rum and even a full egg in the drink. The drink was awesome. I chatted with the bartender and he told me the rum that was used in this cocktail. It was of course Diplomatico – Reserva Exclusiva. I picked up a bottle and tried it neat. And here we are today. With that review.
I’m not a Rum expert, but I can tell you that if you’re stepping into Rum to expand your horizons (because, come on… Lets set our money on fire) this is a good one to start with. Buyer beware, the Rum market isn’t nearly as hot as the Bourbon market, but there are certainly $1000-$2000+ bottles of Rum out there. Don’t jump in if you go neck deep and love your money.
A last side note to this review. As always I buy, taste and make my tasting notes prior to doing any research on what I’m reviewing. I don’t want any influence on what other’s think, etc. If you’re a big time Rum person this bottle might be below you. After conducting my research I learned that there is a purist market in Rum. There isn’t as strict qualifications to label your product Rum as there is in Bourbon for example. You can apparently add sweeteners to your juice after it’s been distilled and/or aged. Many Rums out there contain sweeteners not listed on their webpage. I believe that this bottle may be one of those products that adds sweetness not derived from their distillate and aging process. To me it would seem silly to go through the process to distil and age my product 12 years, just to throw in an additive. I would be remiss if I didn’t re-direct you to a site that knows significantly more than I do on the Rum subject (Linked Below).
The Rum Pirate
The Distillery’s Story: Check out their site for you best “About me”. I don’t have much to add aside from what’s on the site. In short the distillery is based in Venezuela. It’s is privately owned, but from what I can gather Seagram’s is the largest shareholder. They have 3 different rum techniques and this bottle is a blend of the three.
In Summary: I was “today years old” when I learned that when you purchase a rum it’s good to know before hand if it’s all natural or if it has been enhanced with sweeteners. This is the best knowledge that I can pass along. Well, that and be careful with age statements on Rum. I guess they are not all correct. International standards might not be up to par with what we are used to compared to American Whiskeys.
(I will use the same rating methodologies for non-whiskey spirits however I rank tequilas vs other tequilas and bourbons vs bourbons. A highly scored tequila vs a average scored bourbon doesn’t mean I prefer one over the other. They are in different categories. This is to be fair, because I’m not a fan of gin. But, using this system gin will be ranked independently to how I feel about how much better bourbon is).
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too many and it’s decent in a mixer.
5. Solid. It hit all of what’s expected.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Nose, Palate, and Finish I rank regardless of cost. Value (recent addition) is ranked based on taste vs price.
Reviewer: David S
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