Credits: Article and images by Ken Gargett @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/02/19/el-dorado-rums-not-cheap-but-incredible-value-for-money/
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As mentioned, it does seem the 21-Year-Old is fractionally drier than it used to be and there are also reports that both the 12 and 15-Year Olds are also following that trend (I’m not as familiar with those rums from days past so can’t really comment). The reports suggest that this is because they changed the barrel regime in 2005 to stop lining any casks with caramel. Obviously, that would not yet have impacted on the 21-Year-old.
As I mentioned last time, there is a 25-Year-Old rum in the portfolio, but I am yet to see it, and given that the price seems to range between US$600 and US$1,100, I am not holding my breath. What is a little curious is that there were a number of reports a few years ago informing the world that the 15-Year-Old rum would be discontinued. Not sure what happened, but fortunately it is still with us.
For those who are so fortunate as to visit Guyana and are keen to learn more about their rum industry and history, there is, apparently, an official rum route arranged with the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the first of its kind. A great initiative, although given that the route is some 200 kilometers and Guyana has only the one distillery these days, there might be a fair bit of downtime on the tour.
El Dorado rums
12-Year-Old – This is made from both their wooden and metal Coffey stills. 40%. A pale bronze-gold hue.
The nose oozes raisins and nuts, cinnamon, a hint of treacle and teak, with vanilla and dried fruits, glacéd lemon, spices and orange rind. The palate, which is a touch fiery but mellows towards the finish, sees notes of white chocolate emerge. A lovely rum, with a very fine finish.
15-Year-Old – Still with us, it seems, thankfully. This is by far the darkest of the trio in color. The nose is more subtle, more rounded.
We have notes of chocolate, coffee beans, glacéd orange rind, almonds, spices and vanilla. There is obviously old material here, just adding to the complexity. Wonderfully viscous and rich. Peaches appear on the finish. Delicious with a clean, dry finish.
21-Year-Old – A sipping rim, if ever there was one. Last time we reviewed this, my notes read, “the aromas flow through an array of flavors and characters – spices, notably cinnamon, a hint of white chocolate, orange rind, Madagascar vanilla, butterscotch, a whiff of caramel, old teak, cigar box, raisins, and much more. Glorious stuff.
A lovely supple texture. Intense, balanced, and yet even with quite a dense weight, it has an elegance. Incredible length and it maintains both intensity and that elegance over this length – a fine tightrope indeed.
Although there is sweetness, it is a drier rum than one envisages, and there is not a hint of cloying or harshness on the finish.” There seems little to add other than this time there also seemed notes of honeycomb and rum, and raisin ice-cream. Ethereal, elegant, subtle, complex, with a creamy texture and perhaps a little drier. A wonderful rum.
All of these rums deserve to be used as sipping rums, with a sliver of ice or a drop of water if that is your preference.
These are cracking spirits and compared to what one might find at similar prices for whiskies and cognacs, they remain incredible bargains.
For more information, please visit https://theeldoradorum.com/blended-rums
You might also enjoy:
El Dorado 21-Year-Old Special Reserve Rum: Searching Out Guyana’s Rich, Liquid Gold
Book Review: Modern Caribbean Rum by Matt Pietrek and Carrie Smith
Appleton Estate 21-Year-Old: One of the World’s Great Rums
Credits: Article and images by Ken Gargett @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/02/19/el-dorado-rums-not-cheap-but-incredible-value-for-money/