Diplomatico Mantuano is a rum aged “up to 8 years” according to the Venezuelan rum lexicon, which means that most of the rums that make up the blend are actually at least 8 years old, and that a small proportion of the “blend” is between 2 (the minimum legal age in Venezuela) and 8 years old.
Once the question of the rum's age is settled, the next issue is the distillation method and the raw materials: Diplomatico Mantuano is composed of 40% "heavy" rums (cane honey distilled in a swan-neck still) and 60% "light" rums (molasses distilled in columns). This blend of light and heavy rums makes it a balanced rum, ideal for mixology .
Finally, aging takes place in small ex-bourbon and small ex-malt whisky casks.
While this rum was designed for mixology, it can also be enjoyed neat.
Nico's tasting notes
The nose of this traditional Latino rum is very typical and distinctive. It's all about caramel, with a well-burnt, dark tendency. Coffee and molasses mingle to create a dense, concentrated liquid. It then oscillates between melted wood and notes of damp cardboard, before pepper adds a little kick and freshness. But that's without counting on vanilla, which adds to the sweetness and sugary sensation. A shy little stick tries to pierce the darkness, but is quickly swallowed up by an ocean of caramel.
If you slide the rum down the sides of the glass a little, the cane once again has a chance to poke its head out. It now appears with its straw and even a little bitter lime zest, all very candied and melted though. The woodiness is dusty, it's a dust of roasted nuts that's been blown and tickles the nose.
The palate is quite balanced and once again very typical. The impression of sweetness is balanced by the dryness of roasted nuts. The palate then becomes resolutely round and flattering, with notes of honey, molasses, coffee and blond tobacco. Yet it remains quite intense and not so sweet. Vanilla appears in dashes, bridging the gap between wood and sweetness.
The finish is soft and rather discreet, as its tradition demands, this light rum is not intended to impose itself on the palate.
"This rum is very representative of the Latin tradition: pleasant and flattering, it will seduce discerning palates..."
