Objective Notes

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

A brilliant amber gold color is the first attractive clue to this fine rum. Raising your glass toward your nose you find muted aromas of light caramel and maple sugar with cane and oaken vanilla, nicely balanced with fruit (raisin, apricot).  Alcohols are well integrated into the nose, with no objectionable methanol odor.

Initial Tasting reveals the typically excellent complexity that Botran is admired for, mostly sweet of caramel up front, with a bit of spice at the forefront of the tongue, ushering in deeper and well integrated flavors of vanilla, maple, and oak to the mid-palate.  A full-flavored, medium-dry body finishes sweet, woody, fruity and long, lingering mostly on the lips, and a slight cinnamon heat in the throat.

Anecdotal Notes

While on a trip to Panama two years ago Roger picked up a couple bottles of Ron Botran Añejo Rum in Colon while in port on a sailing trip. It was widely available in many places in Panama and the Caribbean at that time but is now difficult to find in the USA. Botran Añejo is distilled by Zacapa Distillery in the highlands of Guatemala and is aged to perfection in the solera style for 8 years in oak barrels. The presentation of the bottle is an elegant brown tall bottle with a black label. It’s simply topped with a black screw cap closure device and a pour limiter included.

Taster’s Opinion

Roger - Botran Añejo is excellent 8 year old rum from Guatemala. Smooth and complex enough to be enjoyed neat or on the rocks. It’s very reasonably price lends itself to be enjoyed every day. Do yourself a big favor and buy a few bottles if you can find it.

Dave - Botran Añejo is a delicious bargain:  aged well, smooth, with a balanced complexity of aromas and flavors that hold their own against far more expensive rums (as well as your continued interest), sip after sip. Add Botran Añejo to your collection; it may well become one of the rums you find yourself returning to when looking for a relaxing, approachable sipping spirit.

Taster's Rating (10 is best):  Roger - 8 Flasks; Dave - 8 Flasks

Most recently tasted by: Roger and Dave in June, 2009 at RnD's North and South tasting Rooms, USA.

*750ml unless otherwise stated.