Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva

This is the first darker sweet style rum I've ever tried and it got me into sipping and learning about all types of rum. It has thicker texture in the mouth than other rums I've tried and it's almost syrupy (there's a lot of sugar in it). The combination of alcohol,sugar, and strong vanilla is almost medicinal smelling and was a bit wierd for me when going through my first bottle. In the beginning I had a love/hate relationship w this rum and couldn't decide if I liked it. After recently trying several others rums and developing new tastes, I now have a second bottle. I've learned that I do like this rum neat but I like it even more on the rocks. It's so sweet that I prefer to open it up w ice to thin it out. When compared to Ron Zacapa 23 Solera they both have a base "rum raisiny" flavor but the DRE has a bit more burn and a lot more flavor of sweet vanilla and baking spices on top. You actually feel spice on your tongue with Diplomatico but with Zacapa you just get the dried fruit flavor with not too much more on the finish. Interesting and fun rum to own, fantastic bottle presentation.
Update: This should be referred to as a rum-liquor because it's so obviously sweetened and it's texture resembles drinks like Amaretto or Frangelico. With that said, you don't have to call this stuff rum but it's an amazing beverage in its own right with a unique combination of flavors. Most noticably in my latest tasting was a sweet and subtle black-liquoric alongside the trademark bold vanilla. The liquoric was likely responsible for my previous reporting of a medicinal smell to the drink and now that I've identified the flavor it's quite good. This was my first time having it from a Glencairn glass. The sugar seems to possibly be disguising a rum that may not be as aged as we think...how much of a role does the actual spirit play in the delicious taste vs the taste provided from added sugar? I will add that this was even better with a dash of angostura bitters, after adding it I could taste more wood and familiar flavors to Santa Theresa 1796 because the vanilla had been muted down. Intrigued. 7 bc it's just such a different animal than most rums