Review: Flor de Cana Rum 17 Years Old

Nicaragua’s Flor de Cana has a massive collection of rums with age statements (real age statements, not that old numerical trickery situation), including an 18 year old expression. Why, then, did the company drop a 17 year old rum late last year? Turns out it’s a limited release available only at select retailers — and bottled at a slightly higher proof. It’s bottled without added sugar or other additives, with about 18,000 bottles available in the U.S. It isn’t billed as a single barrel release, but bottles are labeled with both a barrel and bottle number on them.

Flor de Cana 17 Years Old Review

This is a rather winey rum, the nose sweet and fruity, with oxidized overtones that evoke a nutty glass of sherry. Toasted coconut and milk chocolate underlay the fruit-and-wine attack, enhanced by a dusting of nutmeg and cinnamon.

The palate doesn’t change the overall tone much at all. Bright and fruity notes of cherry turn raisiny in short order, evoking sherry again, then Port. Plenty of caramel and milk chocolate filter in from there, with coffee bean more evident as the rum expands on the tongue. Rich and rounded, it’s almost a bit syrupy thanks to the higher abv, with an intense note of brown sugar and grilled pineapple clinging to the finish.

All told it’s a fun ride that’s enhanced by its slightly higher proof, though it doesn’t change much of the Flor de Cana formula. I like it better than the 18 year old, I’ll say.

87 proof. Reviewed: Barrel #14.

A- / $45 [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]

The post Review: Flor de Cana Rum 17 Years Old appeared first on Drinkhacker: The Insider’s Guide to Good Drinking.