Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva

Review #1336; Rum #641

Here we have a rum that is well known, a starting point for a lot of folks in their rum tasting journey, and a lightning rod. In addition to all that, it serves as a microcosm of rum in general, with a large well regarded brand at one point having the curtain pulled back on its purported 18-36 grams per liter post distillation sugar content. This is a rum that Lance over at The Lone Caner has in his Key Rums of the world list ( https://thelonecaner.com/r0475/ )and for good reason I’d say off reputation alone. You are hard pressed to walk into any liquor store or bar in the world and not see this bottle somewhere.

Now you may be surprised to find that having tasted as many rums as I’ve had, this is my first real tasting of this besides a fleeting sip at a bottle share where I surely overlooked it for more interesting offerings. I came into rum via other spirits already (Scotch Whiskey and Bourbon being my starting points) so I skipped over all the so called starter and gateway rums.

But let’s get down to it, this is a molasses base rum distilled on a column still, aged for allegedly 12 years, and bottled with sugar added post distillation and maybe ever color (we can’t be sure what all they’ve done to this so the additives might not end there). On that note, let’s see what it has to offer.

---

Distillery: Destilerias Unidas S.A. (DUSA)

Bottler: Destilerías Unidas S. A. (DUSA)

Region:  Venezuela

Still: Column

ABV: 40%

---

Nose:   Orange, Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Chocolate Syrup (the heavy kind that goes on ice cream)

Palate: Thin mouthfeel, but shockingly oily (bit suspicious), no heat at all, sweet, Vanilla, Chocolate, Orange, Caramel,

Finish:  Short finish, sweet, Vanilla, Orange, Chocolate, Raisins

---

Rating: 3/10

I’m not going to tell anyone they are wrong for drinking this rum, but it certainly is not for me. It’s so damn sweet to me. In addition to that there isn’t an ounce of heat or oak I can detect in this. I know the palate is not dependable but this leaves a film / unpleasant texture and a slight metallic taste on the finish that I do not find enjoyable. I can see why a lot of people like this though, its sweet, it doesn’t burn, and it’s overall very pleasant. But it’s also incredibly boring, to borrow a quote I have heard “if you want to drink something smooth, drink milk”.

---

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect