Objective Notes

Very Smooth (on the RnD scale of Harsh-Smooth-Very Smooth-Extremely Smooth). 

Bermudez’ Don Armando Ron Añejo produces a moderate amber color in your glass, an attractive hue acquired from 10 years aging in American white oak barrels.

Pleasant caramel and cane juice aromas are revealed initially, and then come softer notes of vanilla, oak, smoke, and butter toffee. No offensive alcohols are detected indicating a mature distillation process and long aging.  The first sip introduces you to a sweet and delightfully warm full-bodied rum with flavors mirroring the aromas. A medium-long finish leaves soft sweet butterscotch and vanilla flavors deep in your palate. 

Anecdotal Notes

At 157 years of distilling rum and still going strong, Bermudez produces some of the Dominican Republic’s finest rums. Don Armando Ron Añejo 10 Años starts with pure cane juice, then ages for up to 10 years in oak before bottling.  The result is not the DR’s best selling rum, but it is one of the best tasting rums.  An unassuming, slender brown bottle wears an impressive gold label, and topped with a gold screw cap under black foil.   Perhaps the overbox package is more telling: cut cane stalks wearing the Don Amando label are shown slowly dripping fresh juice directly into a short ice-filled glass.  Umm.

Tasters’ Opinion

Dave - Bermudez’ Don Armando was my daily staple rum during a ten day visit to the Dominican Republic in early 2008.  No matter what time of day, whether flasking at the beach, mixing in a refreshing mid-afternoon cocktail or sipping as a late night apertif, Don Armando always satisfied.  With Don Armando, Bermudez successfully delivers a delicious, upscale aged rum at a very approachable price.

Roger - Bermudez Don Armando Ron Añejo is a very good everyday rum that’s meant to be enjoyed neat, possibly on ice. I wouldn’t demote it to a cocktail. I found myself really enjoying this rum and before you know several ounces were missing from the bottle. This particular 10 year old rum from Bermudez isn’t easy to find in the US, or outside of the DR for that matter, but if you find it buy a bottle. You’ll thank yourself later at home.

Tasters’ Rating (10 is best)

Dave - 8 Flasks; Roger - 8.5 Flasks,