Diplomático Mantuano, Premium Venezuelan Rum, 70cl, 40% ABV

Product Information

According to Javelle Taft, bar manager at Death & Co.’s East Village outpost, it’s important to remember the origins of rum when considering the spirit today, something that certain brands are actively striving to do. “Rum was birthed out of colonialism and slave labor,” he says. “Since the turn of the century, Caribbean island style rum producers are working hard to reset the tragic history of where rum is today, in comparison to how it started.” On the palate, the rum is very creamy with an oily, syrupy consistency and a noticeable palate weight. It’s sweet, almost candied, with notes of dried fruit, vanilla, brown sugar and a bit of dark chocolate, along with some banana, cinnamon spice and some pepperiness. The Venezuelan rum designation forbids the alteration of the mixture of rum by use of substances that provide artificial color, flavor or aroma. [2] These requirements also include the rum having, in the entirety of its components, a minimum of two years spent aging in white oak barrels and at least 40% anhydrous alcohol, and that none of the raw materials are mixed with molasses nor alcohol from other countries [3] Estelar: This brand has strived to create high-quality rums that represent excellence and Venezuelan culture. Its presence in the market has grown thanks to its focus on quality and innovation.

The practice can be confusing when the age of the solera appears on a bottle because the stated age of a solera has nothing to do with the age of the liquid drawn from it or the average age of the blend. There’s a lot of tropical fruit in this aroma, with a handful of barrel maturation notes thrown in for good measure. I get some delicious pineapple, coconut, banana, and a touch of brown sugar or molasses around the edges that adds some nice richness. The exact origin of rum is debated, but it is believed to have originated in the West Indies, specifically in the Caribbean. Sugarcane, an abundant plant in the region, became the primary raw material for crafting this alcoholic beverage. As sugarcane spread throughout the Americas, so did the art of distillation and fermentation. The Revolution of the Organic Law on Liquor Revenue The issue is twofold. The application of an age statement to solera aging is difficult because it depends on how the solera is managed, varies by jurisdiction and is often inconsistent. The older the Solera the greater the difference between its age and the average age of its contents. This issue is made even more complicated by the fact that the definition of age statements also varies by jurisdiction.Santa Teresa Gran Reserva is a unique blend of rums aged for up to five years. Sometimes overshadowed by the Distillery’s flagship expression, but this one stands well on its own with the same quality and complexity, while offering a different profile and its own flavors. I think a little bit of ice is exactly what this rum needed. That hint of bitterness I saw when taken neat was a solid indicator that this rum wasn’t designed to be sipped — it was designed to be mixed.

The practice can be controversial, however, because there are no firm rules on how a solera is operated. Critics of the practice have argued that Latin American rum producers, the area where the practice is most prevalent, do not follow a true, sherry style solera system but are really just producing a blend consisting of rums with different ages.In the late 1950’s, the Seagrams company managed to wrangle all of the production and distribution of spirits within the country of Venezuela into a single entity named Licorerias Unitas S.A. (LUSA), of which Seagram’s owned a 51% stake. In 1959, the Venezuelan company opened a new combined distillery that would be able to produce whiskey, rum, and other spirits to support this business. Venezuelan rum has made quite the name for itself over the years, gaining notoriety for its truly incredible contributions to the industry. Brands like Diplomatico and Santa Teresa are responsible for much of Venezuela’s best expressions. However, while these two companies are rather large and impressive, they aren’t the only distilleries doing amazing things. The exceptional quality and flavor of Venezuelan rum have not gone unnoticed on the international stage. Venezuelan rum has been recognized at numerous fairs and liquor competitions. Its distinctive flavor profile and carefully regulated production process have contributed to its esteemed position within the global liquor industry.