Review: Ron Diplomatico Seleccion de Familia

Ron Diplomatico‘s Seleccion de Familia is an interesting blend of five different types of distillate — two column still styles, a semi-continuous distillate, a Barbet column distillate, and finally pot still distillate. Complicating things further, it is aged in ex-bourbon barrels and blended with some ex-sherry-aged stock.

Let’s give it a whirl!

The dark brown color of the rum evokes coffee to the eye, and does the same on the nose. Richly nutty and quite coffee-like throughout, initial notes of molasses are quickly tempered by a layer of creamy cafe au lait, followed by dark black, almost oxidized fruit notes. The rum is layered with darker spices — ground coffee and grated chocolate alongside — plus just a touch of dried florals. In other words: There’s plenty going on here, and you can spend quite a bit of time getting to know this rum before you ever take a sip.

The palate is sweeter and more fruit-forward than the nose would initially indicate, lighter citrus notes dominating alongside elements of toasted almonds, milk chocolate, and sweet tea. Notes of mint emerge later on, pairing with a coffee character to create a complex and rounded finish. Here and there you’ll find coconut flakes amidst elements of coconut and Port wine, while the conclusion remains refreshing and light on its feet, with a twist of orange peel.

Best of all, the rum remains semi-dry, slightly less sweet than the often overwhelmingly sugary Diplomatico house style, and available at a wholly reasonable price.

86 proof.

A- / $50 / rondiplomatico.com [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR]

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