Matusalem Gran Reserva 18 est un rhum traditionnel de République Dominicaine issu d’un alambic à colonne. La méthode de vieillissement utilisée pour ce rhum vieux est la solera : des rhums vieux sont mélangés à des rhums plus jeunes dans le but de les « éduquer ». L’âge moyen est de 18 ans.
Nico's tasting notes
On the nose, the profile is decidedly caramelized and roasted, reflecting the molasses from which this rum is extracted. It remains fairly light, however, with fine notes of cocoa, coffee and roasted nuts. The molasses has a slight medicinal bent, as in addition to its characteristic licorice, it shows a little latex edge. The rum soon relaxes and becomes very suave, with vanilla, sweet caramel, almonds and soft nougat.
Aeration calls up the roasting register again, before opening the profile to sugar-laden fruit. One thinks of very ripe apricots, or swollen, oozing, sticky mirabelle plums. This concentrated side contains a lightly waxed woody reduction to caramel and vanilla that's quite engaging.
Light and easy on the palate, the notes of blond tobacco, caramel and wood are soft and balanced. There's still some roast, toasted wood and spice, but it's just an evocation of a distant pepper.
On the finish, the rum disappears in a final, slightly warm, vanilla and caramelized breath.
« Ce Matusalem propose une vraie montée en consistance par rapport à son cadet… »
