Malteco 15 ans Reserva Maya is a rum from Panama that has spent 15 years in oak barrels.
Nico's tasting notes
In brief: roasted - orange peel - smoky - buttery - fruity - pastry - balanced.
The nose is initially discreet, before dark, toasted wood begins to crackle on the surface. This aroma is intensely roasted, with notes of toasted nuts, dark caramel, and a very dense maple syrup. The rum will need some time to open up and soften.
The opening maintains a dry, toasty wood profile, but on closer inspection, quite a few interesting things also emerge. There are hints of dried orange peel, a herbaceous quality, and also something "industrial." Far from being a negative, this latter characteristic adds density and a certain heaviness. There are both metallic touches and complex aromas of smoked meat, complemented by caramelized cooked fruit and buttery pastry, like in a tarte Tatin. The pastry theme continues, with icing sugar, banana, more cake batter, cocoa, and blond tobacco.
The palate is mellow and enhanced by the smokiness of the strongly toasted wood, as well as by a little lift from well-dosed heavy aromas. The palate is balanced, both full-bodied and greedy, in a word, tasty. The style imposes a sweetness that tempers the desire for exuberance.
The finish is thus rather straightforward, with nicely liquoriced molasses and a sweet/salty sensation.
"An interesting rum, with a personality that departs from the stereotypes of the genre..."
