Initial Thoughts

I’m back at it with some Rum tastings! Last week I took a shot at reviewing the Diplomatico Reserva, this week I’ve got the Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum. Everyone that I’ve talked to said this is an incredible rum. So I’m really looking forward to opening it up and giving it a shot!

There’s not a ton of backstory about this rum. All I know is that it is a complex blend of copper pot still rums that is aged for 12 years. Not much to go on from that, but the backstory for the brand is obviously the same as we mentioned on Reserva review.

I was sent a sample bottle of this to review as well, but what’s sad is that I can’t find it on store shelf here in Nashville. I’m kind of bummed about that because I really liked the Reserva and I would love to buy a bottle of this Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva, but it’s nowhere to be found yet. I’ll keep looking, but for now let’s hop into the review!

Looks

The bottle for this Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum is a dark green bottle. It hides the color of the rum very well. It’s the same shape bottle as the Reserva blend, it’s somewhat short and squatty. The label on the front is very unique. It looks like a postage stamp, and has the same picture on the front as the Reserva. The only difference is this label is not all orange and loud. It’s quiet and peaceful, it doesn’t really stand out. It’s kind of sitting there saying, you’ll recognize me on the shelf, but I’m different from the other rums.

When I poured this rum into my snifter it was apparent that it was different. The darker color showed that the 12 years of aging had done it a lot of good. It was a nice dark amber color. Rich and full of character, when I held it up to the light there was a beautiful amber glow that came through the glass. Enough looking at it, I’m ready to drink it!

Reviewed Neat

Nose

As soon as I opened my sample bottle the aromas began to pour out of the tiny opening at the top of the bottle. I quickly poured some in my glass to let the air get to it and really open it up. The first wave that came out smelled like pure alcohol, I’m sure it was just the fumes at the top of the bottle trying to escape. Once they dissipated the true character began to show.

The first note that I got from this Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum was a strong sense of molasses. That smell is burned into my memory after touring the Appleton Estate Rum factory on my honeymoon. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to forget that smell. It was actually somewhat difficult to pinpoint some other scents coming off of this rum. I had to run the glass over my nose a couple of times back and forth to really get the sense of what I was picking up. I finally concluded that it was a combination of raisins, cinnamon, and clove. It might be one of the most complex scents that I’ve ever come across. There was so much going on all at once that it was very difficult to pick these out, but it finally hit me. I’m blown away by the overall nose of this rum.

Palate

Taking my first sip the first thing that hits me is that rum sweetness. The molasses and sugar cane just pop right out. I feel like I’m drinking straight brown sugar. Then the depth of character begins to build. I pick up on the oak and slight hints of vanilla. According to the rum’s site there are hints of banana in here. Honestly, I never picked up that flavor from this rum. The one thing that I completely agree on with their flavor list is the chewy toffee coating on the palate. I have that almost verbatim in my notes. To me it’s one of the highlights of this rum. Towards the end of all the flavors there is toffee flavor that coats your entire mouth and makes you feel like you’re actually chewing on a piece of toffee. It’s pretty incredible. I’m a big fan of this Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum thus far.

Finish

Time to bring it on home for the finish. I can’t help but pay attention to the toffee notes on the finish. There is a fantastic coating of the entire mouth with this rum. It’s a long lasting, warm and coating finish. It’s fantastic. It’s definitely a sweet finish and no burn to be found like in bourbon. It’s so smooth and sweet that it leaves you wanting to take another sip to add another layer on top so you never lose those flavors dancing around in your mouth. If I haven’t convinced you that this Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum is a great rum then I don’t know how else to do it.

Conclusion:

Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum: 10/10

To me this is the new bar that is set. I was blown away by this rum. I’m proactively going out to track a bottle of this down in Nashville. Someone has to have it I would think. I can’t wait to pair this with a cigar and see all the flavor combinations that come out of it. This is rum is complex that I’m sure it would add a great deal of complexity and really build some interesting flavor profiles along the way. So if you’re looking for a new rum to try, seriously try and find a bottle of this. As I keep climbing the rum ladder I know I’m going to find more and more great stuff along the way, but right now this Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum is the stuff!