Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva

One of the first rums I started drinking when re-discovering rum closer to a decade ago.

Now I find the added sugar totally overwhelming and suffercating the basic notes of fudge, vanilla and tropical fruits.

Ok, I cannot be biased with rums from Venezuela, but being from Venezuela is kind of hard not to be. This rum is extremely good, plus is my overall choice from the Diplomatico line, I have to say that Reserva Familiar is one of my favorites.

This is the rum that started it all, the rum that made me fall in love with rum world. I still love it and still consider it one of my favourites. It isn’t the best rum in the world, but no one can deny its importance and the fact that is a milestone. Its elegant and gentle taste fascinated me when I first tried; very equilibrated and sweet. Too bad for some added sugar that makes its sweetness too strong. The bottle has a vintage look: very iconic.

This is a really complex, smooth and exiting rum. Tastewise it's hard to describe as it's so many layers of tastenotes, but caramel, vanilla, ripe sweet fruits, a bit of liquorish and so many shades of flavours in this, long nice after taste wich change a bit over time, all in all delicous rum, possibly one of the better i had but as it's pretty sugarloaded it's a bit to sweet for my taste, 20g pr liter is a bit to much. one glass and maybe even two is ok but more than that it gets a bit to much sugar for me, looking forward to try the Diplomatico mantuano, wich has less sugar in it hopefully it's the same complexety and flavor burst with less sugar.

On it's own as a sipping rum, no thanks.
With a cup of coffee and a slice of chocolate cake, yes please.

The rum that got me into rum tasting. Always a great friend on dark winter nights.

There are a handful of rums that I always keep on hand in my bar, and this is one of them. It's dark, sweet (but not overly), with the warmth and subtle spiciness I like in my sipping rums (as opposed to spiced rums which I detest). I drink this neat or over ice, but have other rums I prefer for mixing. Under the fruit, caramel and spice is a little bit of cocoa. Nice mouth feel and doesn't have the cloying aftertaste that some rums have. You get a great quality rum for the price-point. I recommend this one to my friends if they're looking for a sipping rum that won't break the bank.

Color - amber, with touch of red
Aroma - complex mixture of tropical fruits, with sparks of orange and vanilla
Flavour - delicate, soft with liquorice, citrus and chocolate tones

It's sweet, mild, great palate cleanser for cigar tasting. Not overpowering at all.
Great sipper without ice.
Still, I prefer cheaper Botucal Mantuano over Reserva Exclusiva.

To me it is a bit on the sweet side, but not overbearing. I think this is a very good rum. Smooth to drink neat, but goes great in a cocktail.