Ron Abuelo 12 Años

Nose: Quite rich and sweet. At 40% ABV, I expected it to be somewhat watery. It has a really nice mature woodiness with a surprising hint of peanut shells. A little molasses and vanilla. I'm not detecting any tropical fruit. Something slightly tart, reminiscent of faint sour mash. I perceive some minerality that transforms into a sort of kettle corn sweetness. Honestly, if it weren't labeled as a rum, I would have assumed it was a bourbon. Palate: Very rich and quite sweet. A bit thin, but the richness makes up for it. I wonder how a higher proof version would be, though I detect a faint burn even at 40% ABV. Heavily diluted molasses with a touch of char, peanut shells, and minerals contributing a slight herbal spice that reminds me of rye, lightly floral vanilla, and faint orange peel. From the spices and light char, I can discern some barrel flavor, but it's fairly concealed and lacks much nuance. Nevertheless, this is a well-balanced and decently complex rum with strong bourbon characteristics. The primary spice is black pepper, but in a rich, not sharp, manner. There's also some cinnamon and ginger. A vegetal undertone adds a bit of richness without making it too funky. I also detect a hint of cola, but nothing metallic. Finish: The minerality definitely persists, and there's a very slight tingle from the burn. Elements of that diluted molasses carry through. Faint sour mash and some vanilla still linger. Towards the end of the finish, it becomes quite toasty, and the peanut shell flavor returns. Conclusion: While I prefer the nose of this one, I believe the Panama Pacific 23 (16/23) is a superior rum overall. This one is just a touch too sweet and watered down. However, the two are very close in quality. They are really comparable. I can't imagine rating this below a 14. It will likely fall in the 14 to 16 range. I'm leaning towards a 15 or 16. In fact, this is so similar to the Panama Pacific that I'm giving it the same rating. Actually, upon a final sip, this seems slightly better than the Panama Pacific 23. I'm going to increase my rating to a 23. I'm quite surprised, given its proof.

Although I've reviewed this excellent rum before, it merits another tasting. I discovered this delightful Panamanian rum during my honeymoon, bringing back two bottles that I've savored throughout an even more wonderful marriage. If you're a whiskey enthusiast seeking a rum to demonstrate the value of fine, aged rum while offering something distinct to broaden your palate, this is it. The aroma captures the essence of the Caribbean: sugarcane, banana, pineapple, with hints of vanilla and coconut, and a touch of spice. The palate bursts with caramelized banana, grilled pineapple, piloncillo/panela, lime juice, baking spice, and a pleasant woodiness that lingers like cherished memories. It's exceptionally good, and at around $40 in the US, it's a must-try.

I was underwhelmed after trying this. I had anticipated more from it. Returning to rum, I sought more sweetness, but this offered a peculiar brown sugar sweetness that felt forced. It reminded me of opting for brown sugar packets in coffee instead of white ones. While my personal taste preferences might be a factor, this rum fell short compared to two other products. The previous rum I had, Diplomatico Reserva, was excessively sweet, which I disliked. This Abuelo presents an acquired brown sugar taste. Compared to El Dorado 12 and Dooly's 12, this didn't measure up. This Abuelo rum will be reserved for guests from now on... apologies to my guests, you won't be getting the premium selection.

To my palate, this resembles a less expensive version of Zacapa 23. It does have a more persistent aftertaste that lingers. It's lighter in color and taste compared to Zacapa 23; the flavor isn't as rich for me. It's still worth trying and might suit your preferences, but I'll be using this for a high-quality rum and coke. Not a sipper if you have the other option. I would much rather have Santa Teresa 1796, Plantation xo, or Zacapa 23; they are all superior in my opinion.

80 proof. Priced at $37.49 and $39.55. Aged in ex-bourbon and oak barrels. Flavors include apples, molasses, vanilla, bananas, mangos, brown sugar, oranges, butter popcorn, coconut, charred oak, grapes, coffee, cream soda. It's a bit thin, but delivers a rich, sweet taste with cinnamon and gingerbread notes.

This is an ideal, perfectly balanced classic rum. I suspected they intentionally reduced the proof to 37.5 to harmonize the aftertaste from 12 years of maturation, and they achieved it masterfully. I will certainly recommend and repurchase!