Diplomático Selección de Familia

Appearance- Darker brown with many thin, quicker running legs Nose- brown sugar, coconut, oak, green banana, rancio Palate- Coca- Cola, molasses, juicy fruit gum, ripened pineapple, banana pudding, oaky, musty barrel and leather book. Like all Diplamatico that I have had, this is a sweet sipper. It is lush and coating. Finish- Finish is medium and a touch spicier than the regular reserva. I think the bourbon barrel comes through on the finish. Some detect bitterness there where I get peppery spices. Overall- I love this, and for the price if it was the only rum I had to drink for life, I would be more than happy to. It is a cornucopia of sweet fruit flavors with just a touch of "estheriness" to give you that musty "rummy" flavor. All that said, I like my rum on the sweeter side- thicker, richer, sweet, and reminding me of a Carribean vacation. I also love to pair my rum with an earthier cigar. For this rating I was smoking a CAO Italia which has a lot of expresso and darker, bitter chocolate notes. This complimented those notes and elevated the experience. The question is- Is it that much better ($10) than the regular reserva? To me the difference wasn't vast, but I did detect this to be more rich, perhaps chewier, and impart a bit more spice. Either way, these rum makers know what they are doing, and at the price if either it us a squeal of a deal.

A sophisticated nose with an almost whisky-like character except for the hint of hogo. Top notes consist of banana esters and a whisper of pineapple. The heart is woody, with a pinch of allspice. The base is sweet molasses, vanilla cola, and char. Given time to breathe, it presents a most complex and intoxicating caramel aroma. So rich and sweet to taste, with just a mild burn. Flavors are equally complex and include brown sugar syrup, smooth cinnamon, bay leaf, nutmeg, some vanilla, lemon, lime, plus a dash of pink peppercorn. Legs are quick, ill-defined, and randomly spaced. Yet, the mouthfeel is pleasant, even satiny, leaving behind some residual oiliness. It finishes a bit on the bitter side, with staying wood tannins and a slightly sour orange citrus note. Spice and vanilla linger on gently as well, giving an impression of cavendish tobacco further flavored with cherry and red banana. Aroma: 9 Taste: 10 Body: 7 Finish: 8

Had the opportunity to do a side-by-side comparison between Reserva Exclusiva and Seleccion de Familia. In the beginning, it was hard to distinguish between the two, with the exception that RE is a lot sweeter. Based on the price, it gives me the impression that SdF is a better rum, but the website states that both of them are blend of rum up to 12 years old. After a few minutes, the SdF, started to set apart. On the nose, the RE gives me sweet, candy notes, but on the SdF, the sweetness/candy notes are a little muted. The palate on the SdF is a little more woody/leather/tobacco and less sweet, a little bitter. The finish is a little longer on the SdF, 43% ABV. Overall the SdF could be a good sipper.

Price reflects one 700-milliliter bottle (excluding tax, with no applicable shipping/fees/etc.). Consumed approximately three ounces neat (no water drops or ice added) in Glencairn glass at room temperature, roughly ten minutes after pouring from freshly unsealed bottle one day after purchase.

Nose of molasses, amaro, vanilla, charcoal and oak. Palate really smooth, burnt sugar, oak, toffee, vanilla, cherry, molasses and a hint of banana. Sweet oaky finish.

Nose: Fruity and sweet. Difficult to discern specific aromas Palate: Citrus peel, slightly bitter Finish: Dry and warming