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

This Panamanian-produced rum starts of with a medium dark amber color indicating some time spent aging in oak casks. The aroma is sweet and simple, reminiscent of chewing tobacco, but not overpowering. Initial taste is sweet, and this medium bodied rum offers little complexity, revealing flavors of tar, black licorice or anise, and a little warmth from the alcohol in the body and finish.

Carta Vieja Anejo rum is attractively presented in a dark brown bottle with a nice updated label. It has a plastic screw cap with a built-in pour limiter. Of all the rums I bought in Panama, each had either a cork or the pour-limiter device, which is different from what we find in the US.

Anecdotal Notes
I first tried Carta Vieja Anejo rum while on a recent sailing trip in the Caribbean off the coast of Panama in the San Blass Islands just north or Columbia. I was hosting a rum tasting event for about 40 people on a tall ship and this was one of the eight rums from Central and South American we sampled that evening. As it was one of the younger and less expensive rums it was tasted fourth after another young Columbian rum of similar age. Most people who shared it with me agreed that it was a little different than the rest of the rums that we tasted. The difference is the sweetness as compared to the others and anise flavor.

Tasters Opinion
Roger - This is good inexpensive rum that you can use everyday in cocktails and rum based drinks like a Cuba Libre. While it looks great in a glass, my opinion is that its color is a little too dark for its age so I suspect color is added. Its lack of complexity and refined aromas and flavors indicate it's not meant to drink neat, though you could sip it on the rocks or with a splash of water. It isn't available in the USA to our knowledge. But if you can find it in the states for about $10, give it a try.

Taster's Rating (10 is best):
Roger - 6.5 flasks

Most recently reviewed by: Roger in September, 2007 on a tall ship off the coast of Panama and Columbia.

*750ml unless otherwise stated.