Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva

One of the best rums in its price range. The taste is stronger and does not disappoint.

When I first started drinking aged rums, this was my early favorite. I really liked the flavor profile, which is unique, but I'm not able to describe it in words exactly. Its quite sweet, but has more character than other sweet rums like Zacapa 23, which are fairly one-dimensional in flavor. I'd read other reviews here where someone compared it to a liqueur, and I understand what they mean, but don't really agree. If you don't like sweet then this one isn't for you, the added sugar level is very high at 41g, but the flavor has a spiciness that I haven't found in any other rums, but I'm still a relative newby at this. Its also a bargain at about $35 and usually pretty easy to find.

I was very new to rum when I first tasted this, and the similar Diplomatico Seleccion de Familia, so my palate wasn't very discriminating, but to me they tasted almost the same. The Familia has a bit less sugar, but its still fairly sweet and costs $50 vs. $35, so when I finished them both off I bought this one again rather than the Familia. I need to go back and compare them again now that I've tasted other rum styles and see if I would prefer the Familia today.

I’m new to the world of rum tasting, but in a years worth of sampling, it’s hard to argue that Diplomatico Reserva is a superior rum for all occasions. For any cocktail where the rum is front and center (such as the daiquiri), you will be astounded by the depth of flavor without even a hint of burn. Comparing it with another favorite Santa Teresa 1796, it’s the opposite of dry….strong notes of fruit on the nose that build with every sip. There are many way more expensive bottles that don’t even approach what you get here….Diplomatico Reserva is a winner that you have to try!

Very balanced, easy sipping rum. Will not burn your throat, smooth.

Great rum to get friends to join in on the rum experience.

Aroma: 7 / 10
Taste: 7 / 10
Overall: 7 / 10

Bottle at home.

De los mejores rones venezolanos. Para tomar con un trozo de hielo

It's the first "premium" rum I ever tried as a single malt drinker and the first thing you notice is, that the rum is very sweet, which overpowers everything, even the alcohol. That makes it easy to down, but if you are looking for a complex flavor and smell, this drink is not it.

I don't trust the "aged 12 years" statement*, especially considering the tropical climate of Venezuela. You can barely make out any oak barrel flavors, so the majority of the rum in this blend is probably very young and the brown coloring is mostly artificial.

Now to the worst part, the source of that obnoxious sweetness: Alko in Finland measured 18g and 35g of sugar per liter, in year 2022 and 2021 respectively! To put that into perspective, Coca Cola has 106.

In my opinion, it is absolutely not worth paying 40€. You can get a nice whisky and probably also better rums (yet to try) for that kind of money.

Addendum (*): To be fair, it doesn't say 12 years on the bottle and this particular dishonesty is more on the resellers. They say "12 years", and in the fine print that the blend contains rums that are aged AT MOST 12 years. Well, that matches my taste impression ;-)

After coming back from the Appleton: I can add, that the taste if this rum is very weak, but kind of bitter and herbal. It reminds me of diluted Jägermeister.

I dont get it. What am i missing? I didnt like it as much as Everybody else. Its an ok one but not much more than that.

Its a rum thats for sure. Its not a bad rum, thats also for sure.

Here it is:

1. The packaging is simple, effective.

2. what do we smell? strong alcohol and spices. it really stings the nose a little.

3. what do we taste? well, its like the nose. It's not a complex rum at all. What is complexity? Are there layers of taste? No, not here. It tastes one and the same. Then the actual taste itself, its a relatively stingy alcohol with spice to it. I do not share the idea that sugar has been added or that this is a particulary smooth rum. What do I taste tho is a strong sense of nutmeg in there. It is almost nutmeg-alcohol.

Compared to plantation 20th XO this is a serious step down in everything. Plantation is more smooth and significantly more complex. This is not a rum for a captain, it is for the crew. On the same side it is much better than havana club 7th años. So I would say its in the middle there. I am happy I bought it cheap because I would not buy it again for myself.

I do not recommend this for rum-lovers who go pure and mature, but if you look for a mixing rum I think this is about as good as it gets.

I am honestly disappointed somewhere after all the good news about it. The prices it got are defnitely faulty to the quality-price ratio. If we just look at quality and leave price out of it, I would give this rum right between the plantation XO and the havana club 7 Años... that lands this rum at a 6,5.

BUT - here it is. I often say "its either good or it isn't". This just manages to fall to the right side of it. But then we must choose? Is this recommendable to most or is this tasty but not quite great? It's right in between there. I am not going to sugar coat it for you. It's a rum, it will always have a little sting, but if you will go for sipping this you ll have not nearly the experience your deserve to have. I am going to round it up to a 7.0 but it's a 7.0 with an "x" behind it's name. Just know that. There for it ends at "recommendable to most" and that is exactly what this tastes like. The rum you must have tried to measure all other rums against. Not a bad rum, but I would not call it good either. I would not serve it the pirate captain, but to serve it the crew itself is a bit too far down -- this is perfect for the quartermaster & sailing master.

As always if my opinion changes I also change the rating of the review. Thanks for taking an interest in reading my view on it.