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

Diplomatico Reserva emerges from its handsome frosted green glass bottle revealing a blend of dark amber and mahogany colors. You can’t help but be pleased as color this dark usually means lots of time in contact with oak. So with your expectations high and anticipation building you slowly take in the soft bouquet of aromas uncovering some easily like vanilla, and oak. But patience is best when discovering aromas and you always learn a lot about a rum before you even sip it for the first time. It’s not unusual for me to spend an hour just gazing at and smelling a rum. Now to those not subtle hidden aromas… butterscotch, dried fruit, and very light allspice.  Time to try the first sip. An very smooth entry reveals a medium body and deliciously flavors including many you just found a few minutes ago like vanilla, oak, dried fruit, and spice. This rum has it all including a complex long finish which is begins slightly sweet and fades into memory dry, warm, and tart. 

Anecdotal Notes
Diplomatico Reserva is produced by Destilerias Unidas using fermented sugarcane honey in a Alembic copper pot stills. It’s then put down for up to 8 years before bottling. Speaking of bottles as I mentioned in the beginning the bottle is frosted green glass with a distinctive orange label and foil wrapped neck and top. A Monde Selection Gold Medal quality seal adorns the upper left corner of the label. This signifies a quality product as deemed by an impartial international group and they were right!  A plastic Stelvin style closure better known as a screw cap and plastic pour limiter finish it off.

Taster’s Opinion
Roger – I spent the evening with a new friend, Diplomatico Reserva. It is a very good everyday sipping rum but you could make incredible cocktails with it as the price won’t break the bank. It deserves a high marks due to a good balance the things that make great rum (color, aromas, complexity, body, flavors, and finish).  Diplomatico is a premium brand and the Reserva is priced very well around $21. You’ll have a hard time finding better rum for this price.

Taster's Rating (10 is best): Roger – 8.5 Flasks

Most recently reviewed by: Roger in June 2010 in RnD’s North Tasting Room, USA;

*750ml unless otherwise stated.