La Progresiva 13

Part of the 2021 24 days of Rums calendar. Eager to share my experience!

No nose but interesting taste: dry, wooden notes, little fruit

Lovely colour. Simply, but my taste. Good with a cigare from Nicaragua

Note: I'm a sipper. My opinion is based on sipping characteristics.

I have a mostly hate affair with Cuban rums and to this day still think they are overpriced and overhyped, just like Cuban cigars. As a New World guy on both fronts, I've found much greater alternatives and this rum caught me slightly off guard.

Upon opening, you are greeted by the aroma of sweet, fruity molasses, which is not overwhelmed by the 41% ABV and does not burn a third hole on your nose. Great beginning, I even smiled. Tasting reveals more of the same and a slight but not overwhelming afterburn. I was properly impressed upon first sip. Plus, there's a subtle hint of smoke, like in a very good whiskey and funnily enough, both taste and smoke remain even on the next day, just like in a good cigar. No clue why other reviewers have rated this so low, to me this is a tasty rare find. I mean, even the bottle looks classy. And I should mention, the amount of added sugar is negligible at 5.5 grams per litre, in case someone cares. So this natural, smooth tasting rum goes straight between Plantation XO and Bayou Reserve in my book.

The only annoying thing is related to its marketing strategy. I was foolish enough to think 13 on the label has something to do with the age. Well, it kind of does and does not. It means "blend 13". And just how aged blend 13 is then? Surprisingly enough, it consists of rums aged 11, 13 and 15 years. The issue here is I had to dig quite deeply on third party websites to find that information, as they don't really care much to share one of rum's most important characteristics on their own website. What they care about however is to inform me in a proper in your face manner, multiple times over, the rum was produced by female crew. I guess this "inclusion" crap contributed to the taste and it wouldn't have been such a great product should it have been manufactured by male crew or something, give me a goddamn break.

Not bad, but not great. Very average cuban rum and a bit expensive for what it is. If it's on sale you can try it just for the experience, otherwise not worthed.

Vůně: sladká, vanilka, ovoce (jablka?), lehounce, lepidlo, koření
Chuť: houbou napadené dřevo!!?, vanilka, pepř
Dochuť: slabší, čokoláda, starý dub
6,4/10

Given to me as a present, very pleased it was.
Smoky with an oak and slight hint of fruits.
Lighter than I imagined but a really gods sipping rum.
Not a cocktail fan so I can’t comment , but I imagine it’s too light.
Enjoy it by itself, over ice.
Enjoy, Graham.

Interesting original bottle, but I am a bit confused. One time yes, next time no. And have no passion to try it again.

- Nos: ananas, banány. Příjemná vůně
- Chuť: karamel, ovoce
- Celkově: Méně výrazný, ale chutný