Today we are in Guyana to taste a British style rum, produced by a company (Demerara Distillers Limited) that has been producing rum for over 300 years. 

Unlike some rums that display a somewhat fanciful age on their label (often the oldest rum used in the blend), El Dorado rums are transparent: in this bottle there is a blend of rums at least 21 years old (and therefore more), aged in oak barrels.

Beyond this detail that we would like to see more often on our dear bottles, know that there are rums in the El Dorado family that are 8, 12, 15 years old, and even one that is 25 years old. The particularity of this rum (like all Demarara rums) is that it is distilled - among other things - in wooden stills that are over 200 years old, which gives it a unique aromatic richness marked by heavy notes. It is also the major ingredient in Navy rum (or Dark rum). We will come back to this in a more detailed article.

This El Dorado 21 rum has a beautiful coppery and shiny color , which reminds us of its long aging in oak barrels. The texture is viscous/fat and its rather thin legs fall slowly into the glass.

The smell is delicious , very soft and without astringency, very aromatic: we discover beautiful notes of spices, dried fruits and vanilla. We then discover a light but very pleasant smell of oak, which may seem surprising for such an old rum. We expect a dominant woody note, but instead it is fine and soft, with a citrus note in the background (orange zest)

On the palate, the attack is rather dry and spicy, in contrast to the rather sweet nose; it is quite surprising but the aromas develop in a very pleasant way, the spices warm our palate (cinnamon, nutmeg). The oak always has the lion's share, but always discreetly with a slight note of smoke, which has the chic of not hiding anything. The orange comes next. It is very tasty on the palate, harmonious and very well balanced.

The finish is medium long, still dry but not burning, with a delicious and surprising note of vanilla wrapped in a spiced wrapping paper, it's sumptuous! The oak is still there, as well as a touch of almond.

This rum is rich and pleasant from start to finish; it is a good foot to put in the world of demerara rums, in a pleasant and easy softened (sweet) style; the mastery, the balance between the aromas, everything is perfectly done. If you ever have the opportunity to taste it, do not hesitate for long…

Rating : 83

To help you (and me) find your way around, regarding the notes:

90 and + : exceptional and unique rum, it is the best of the best
between 85 and 89 : highly recommended rum, with that little something that makes the difference
between 80 and 84 : recommendable rum
75-79 POINTS : above average
70-74 POINTS : in the low average
less than 70 : not very good

 

Review courtesy of DuRhum.com.

From the folks behind DuRhum, Velier, and more, comes a premium online marketplace for rum enthusiasts by rum enthusiasts! Do check out www.rowspirits.fr for more great content and iconic rums!