Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva 15

This rum (or actually mix of rums) does not taste refined. It is rough on the tongue, bitter, dry, and leaves your tong burning. Although the taste is quite bland and similar to a Havana Club, you can taste that it has aged in quality barrels. And when it comes to the taste of molasses, well... A rum does not have to be sweet, but one barely notices the caramel undertones in this one. For a rum that's supposed to be from a Grand Reserve and aged 15 years (not likely) this is a rough and dry liquid that's anything but soft on the tongue like you would expect with the better distilled spirits. It is one and a half times the price of a Havana Club but barely manages to escape the category of bottom dollar rums.

Nose - molasses, heavy oak char, caramel, vanilla, cherry, almond, amaretto, mild overripe banana funk, sweet tobacco, maple syrup, moderate to high ethanol burn. Taste - dark molasses, butterscotch, creamy vanilla, maple syrup, banana funk, sweet tobacco, cherry, almond, barrel char, malty cereal grain, moderate alcohol bite, finishing fairly long with molasses, fruit funk, butterscotch flavors. This is a decent sipper that could also be a great mixer. Its profile seems to straddle Barbados and Jamaican rum flavors. I wouldn’t mind adding a bottle to the collection.

A rich rum made from molasses and aged for 15 years using the solera system in French oak casks. It has a woody birth with notes of toasted dry fruits, buttery caramel, citrus & vanilla; while a full body adds notes of vanilla, oak, toffee, banana & cacao; that led to a Cognac-like finish with a hint of fruit, cherry & wood. January / May / August 2018 / August 2020

On the nose is a strong, thick, black molasses, as well as vanilla and caramel. Tastes of vanilla dominate throughout, and a tiny bit woody. Medium to long finish. Overall very very solid. A definite buy again. Also added to a mojito and it's amazing! Try it, you won't be disappointed. 😀

Seems to be very versatile. Very much enjoying it neat in a chilled rocks glass. Nose is light, caressing fragrances of cherry, almond, and vanilla. Smooth on the palette with chocolatey undertones as red fruit flavors mix with a mellow nuttiness. Slow chocolate nougat finish.

Wow - I didn’t expect that. A similar profile to Diplomatico with a shorter finish and slightly less rounded palate this is a superb rum for the money. A very traditional rum with a softer more refined delivery due to the sweetness - though I wouldn’t call it “sweet”.