My Honest Diplomatico Rum Reserva Exclusiva Review
I finally made a decision to sit down and write this diplomatico rum reserva exclusiva review right after seeing that iconic green bottle staring with me from our bar cart intended for the last six months. It's one of those spirits that feels such as a transitional phase for anybody getting into the field of aged rums. In case you've ever went into an alcohol store looking regarding something "smooth" but didn't wish to invest hundreds of bucks, chances are the clerk pointed a person toward this Venezuelan classic.
There is a large amount of buzz surrounding this particular bottle, and honestly, the fair bit associated with controversy among rum purists too. Some people swear it's the best sipping rum on the particular planet for your cost, while others convert their noses up at its sweet taste. I wanted in order to break down exactly what it actually likes like, how it's made, and whether it deserves an everlasting spot in your collection.
That Iconic Green Container and the Man on the Label
Before you also pop the natural, you have in order to appreciate the packaging. It doesn't look like a standard bottle associated with booze; it appears more like some thing you'd find in an old-school pharmacy or a dirty ship's cabin. The matte green glass is heavy, and the label features the dignified-looking gentleman named Don Juancho Nieto Meléndez.
Story has it that Don Juancho was obviously a local nobleman in Venezuela who has been enthusiastic about exploring the particular Caribbean to find the finest spirits and ingredients. Regardless of whether that's a smart marketing story or cold hard background, it sets the mood perfectly. This feels premium, also though it usually sits at a very reasonable mid-range price point. Whenever you pull the particular cork, you obtain that will satisfying "pop" that tells you're about to drink something with a little bit of character.
What's Actually Inside the Blend?
Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva isn't just the single-barrel rum. It's a complex blend of pot still and column still rums, which is a big part of why it has such a specific consistency. The brand says the rums in this blend are aged for upward to 12 years.
It's produced by Destilerías Unidas S. The. (DUSA) at the foot of the Andes Mountains in Venezuela. The place is actually pretty important since the humidity and heat in that will region accelerate the particular aging process. A rum aged for 12 years within the tropics is going to have a great deal more interaction with all the wood than the Scotch aged with regard to 12 years in the cold Highlands. This leads to a spirit that is dark, rich, and intensely influenced by the maple barrels.
Sampling Notes: The very first Drink
Once you put a glass, the first thing a person notice is the color. It's a deep, dark mahogany—almost like maple syrup. It looks thick in the glass, so when you swirl it, the "legs" move slowly down the side.
The particular Nose
Simply because soon as We brought the cup to my nasal area, I got hit along with a massive influx of orange peel off and brown sugar. It's incredibly aromatic. If you've actually had a flamed orange peel more than a cocktail, that's the vibe here. Behind that, there's a definite scent of vanilla, liquorice, and probably a bit of walnut. It doesn't have that harsh "alcohol burn" that cheaper rums sometimes have. Instead, it smells warm and inviting, nearly like a sweet.
The Taste
The very first drink is where points get interesting. The particular texture is velvety and thick . It coats your mouth in a way that most mood don't. The primary flavor is definitely caramel and toffee. It's followed by a burst of tropical fruit—think dried bananas or fudge.
As this sits on your tongue, you begin in order to pick up several of the baking spices. There's some cinnamon and cloves, which helps balance out the heavy sweetness. It's rich, weighty, and very "forward" with its flavors. There's no guessing sport here; it's telling you exactly what it is through the moment this hits your taste buds.
The Finish
The surface finish is relatively lengthy and quite lovely. It leaves a lingering taste of chocolate and fruit. There isn't plenty of "bite" at the particular end, this is why so many people describe it as "smooth. " If you're someone that hates the burn of whiskey or tequila, you're likely to like how easy this goes down.
The Sweetness Hippo in the Room
We possess to talk regarding the sweetness. Within the rum local community, Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva is often the center of a heated controversy regarding "dosage. " Dosage is the practice of adding some sugar (and sometimes caramel coloring) after distillation to create a particular flavor profile.
It's no secret that this rum has a higher sugar content than, say, a dry Bajan rum like Foursquare or perhaps a funky Jamaican rum like Appleton Estate. For several purists, it is a dealbreaker. They believe that rum should be bone-dry and that the sweetness should arrive only from the particular barrel.
However, I think there's a place intended for both. In case you move into this expecting a dry, hard woody spirit, you're going to be disappointed. When you view this as a rich, dessert-style sipping rum , it's fantastic. The added sweetness makes this incredibly approachable regarding beginners. It's usually the "gateway drug" that gets people to stop mixing rum with Coke plus start drinking this neat.
Just how Should You Consume It?
I've tried this rum a dozen various ways, and while it's versatile, some strategies definitely work better than others.
- Neat: This is how I enjoy this. Because it's so complex and rich, you don't actually need to include anything. Just put it into a Glencairn or even a small rocks glass and take your period.
- On the Rocks: If you discover the particular sweetness a bit too cloying, a large snow cube is your own best friend. As the ice melts, this dilutes the glucose slightly and starts up some of the more subtle spice notes. It makes it a little more refreshing.
- In an Aged Fashioned: This is exactly where Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva really shines. Since the rum will be already sweet, you are able to cut back on the simple syrup or sugar dice you'd normally use. Pair it which includes chocolate bitters and an orange perspective, and you possess one of the particular best Rum Aged Fashioneds you'll ever taste.
- In a Mai Tai: While some may say it's as well "heavy" for the tiki drink, I think it adds a great base layer of vanilla and caramel when blended with a funkier Jamaican rum.
Could it be Worth the Money?
In most areas, a bottle will cost you somewhere in between $35 and $45. In the world of aged spirits, that's a grab. You're getting a well-presented, 12-year-aged blend that will tastes like a high-class product.
Even if a person eventually move on to drier, even more "serious" rums, this is an excellent bottle to maintain on hand intended for guests. I've never ever served this to some friend who didn't immediately ask, "Wow, what is this? " It's a crowd-pleaser through and through. It's the kind of container you bring in order to a dinner party when a person want to win over people without necessarily clearing out your own savings.
Last Verdict
In order to wrap up this diplomatico rum reserva exclusiva review , I'd state this rum will be a must-try, but you have to know what you're getting into.
It is unapologetically sweet, daring, and fruity. This doesn't try in order to be a delicate, smoky Scotch or even a dry, botanical gin. It's more such as a liquid delicacy using a 40% ABV kick. If a person have a nice tooth or you're just starting your journey into dark spirits, you're most likely going to discover this delicious.
If you're a hardcore purist who demands zero additives and a bone-dry finish, you might find it a bit too "manufactured. " But for the sleep of us? It's a lush, soothing, and incredibly reliable container that deserves the reputation it provides built through the years.
Personally, I always keep a bottle in the particular cabinet. There are nights while i desire something challenging plus complex, but presently there are also evenings after i just desire a glass associated with something that likes like liquid silver and chocolate. Upon those nights, Diplomatico is exactly exactly what I'm reaching for.