Ron Abuelo 12 Años

Rating: 17/23 N: Fairly rich and sweet. At 40% ABV, I thought it would be a bit watery. There's some really nice mature woodiness going on here, with a surprising bit of peanut shells. A little molasses and vanilla. I'm surprisingly not getting tropical fruit. Something a little tart, kind of like faint sour mash. I get some minerality that turns into sort of a kettle corn sweetness. Honestly, I'd have thought this was a bourbon if it weren't labeled as a rum. P: Very rich and quite sweet. A touch on the thin side, but the richness makes up for that. How nice a higher proof version must be, though I am getting a faint burn even at 40% ABV. Heavily watered-down molasses with a bit of char, peanut shells, minerals bringing in a bit of herbal spiciness that makes me think of rye, lightly floral vanilla, faint orange peel. From the spices and light char, I'm able to pick out some barrel flavor, but it's fairly hidden and doesn't have a lot of nuance. Still, this is a well-balanced and decently complex rum that carries heavy bourbon characteristics. The main spice is black pepper, but in a rich way rather than a spicy one. There's some cinnamon and ginger too. There's a vegetal touch here that adds just a bit of richness without making this too funky. I also get a little cola, but nothing metallic. F: The mineral definitely still lingers and there's a very faint prickle from the burn. Elements of that watered-down molasses carry through. Faint sour mash and some vanilla still linger. Late on the finish, it gets really toasty and that peanut shell comes back out. - Conclusion - Although I like the nose on this better, I think that overall Panama Pacific 23 (16/23) is a better rum. This is just a bit too sweet and watered-down. Still, the two are not far apart. Like, they're really close. I can't imagine going below a 14 for this. It's going to be in the 14 to 16 range. I'm thinking that a 15 or 16 is the most likely. Honestly, this is really close to the Panama Pacific, so I'm going with a 16 here too. Actually, coming back for my last sip, this seems a bit better that the Panama Pacific 23. I think I'm going to up this to a 23. I'm very surprised, considering its proof.

While I’ve previously left a tasting note for this most excellent rum before...well, it bears doing so again. I discovered this lovely Panamanian rum on my honeymoon; I brought home two bottles, and I’ve enjoyed the contents over the course of my even more delightful marriage. If you are a whiskey drinker and want a rum to show you why fine, aged rum is worth your attention, but also want something different enough from whiskey to expand your palate’s horizons...look no further. The nose is the Caribbean condensed: sugarcane, banana, pineapple, a bit of vanilla and coconut, a light hint of spice. The palate explodes with caramelized banana, grilled pineapple, piloncillo/panela, lime juice, baking spice, and a pleasant woodiness...and it lingers, like the warmth of good memories. So, so good, and at $40-ish a bottle in the US, there is no reason not to try this.

After tasting this I was not impressed. Was expecting a bit more from it. Jumping back into the rum game I wanted to taste more “sweetness” but this was a weird brown sugar/trying too hard sweetness. Reminded me of getting a coffee and then using the brown sugar packets instead of the white ones. Sure maybe it’s my fault because of my taste profile but trying this a best to two other rum products this was not even close in terms of taste. Last rum I had before this was diplomatico reserva and it was literally a sugar bomb (didn’t like it at all). This Abuelo is an acquired brown sugar taste. Next to El Dorado 12 and Dooly’s 12 to me this didn’t stand a chance. This Abuelo rum will be the guest rum going forward.... Sorry guests, you’re not getting the good stuff.

Honestly, To me, this is a poor mans version of the Zacapa 23....it does has more residual taste which lasts very long after it goes down....Not only Lighter in color when compared to Zacapa 23 but it tastes lighter as well, to me the flavor isn’t as rich...Still something to try and may fit your taste buds...But I’ll be using this for some high quality rum and coke...Not a sipper if you got the other stuff....I much rather have Santa Teresa 1796, Plantation xo, Zacapa 23 all better in my eyes

80 proof. $37.49, $ 39.55. Aged in ex bourbon and oak barrels. Apples, molasses, vanilla, bananas, mangos, brown sugar, oranges, butter popcorn, coconut, charred oak, grapes, coffee, cream soda, a little thin, but rich, sweet flavor, cinnamon, ginger bread.

This is a perfect, ideally balanced classic rum. I caught myself thinking that they deliberately lowered the strength to 37.5 in order to balance the aftertaste of 12 years of aging. And they did it brilliantly. Definitely will recommend it and buy again!