Santa Teresa 1796 Rum

I can't recall anything about this sample due to how long ago I acquired it. It's likely sweet, given its origin in Venezuela. The aroma is minimal from the bottle, but the glass reveals a spicy, fruity scent with mellow, musty wood. The spices lean towards dry and dusty, rather than strongly cinnamon, balanced by significant sweetness and wood dryness. It offers a pleasant aroma with hints of alcohol, bubblegum, and later, vanilla. The palate is moderately full and viscous, initially delivering spiciness with an oily quality. The non-sweet spices have a faint numbing effect, followed by oiliness and a hint of charred flavor. Sweetness is minimal, but vanilla is present, possibly along with unsweetened coconut contributing to the oiliness. The complexity is limited, and the balance is slightly off. It's suitable for cocktails, fitting the rum profile adequately. While I considered a 12, I'm settling on 11. It's a perfectly functional rum with good richness and fullness, but it lacks depth in complexity and distinctive flavors. Many seem to love this 4-35 year old expression, but I find it muddled, though it does show some maturity. Compared to Appleton Estate 12, I definitely prefer the latter. I'm surprised by the positive reception, and while I might revisit it, I won't be purchasing a bottle, especially considering its price point, which is close to Appleton Estate 12, a rum I'd choose any day.

I have a certain fondness for this rum because it was the first aged rum I ever tasted without anything added. The only reason I bought it was because a cocktail book I got required it for a few recipes, and I had never heard of a solera rum before. The bottle and packaging are also quite distinctive and have that cool vintage appearance. My previous rum experience was limited to Bacardi or other inexpensive rums, either mixed or as shots. Anyway, to make a long story short, I might be rating this a bit too high, but I still consider it a good rum. The bottle I'm tasting is only about half full, so that might affect the notes. The aroma is a little faint; you get hints of sweetness along with dark chocolate. On the palate, there's considerable complexity with cherries, orange peel, sherry notes, oak, and prunes. I must say, it goes down very smoothly, though it can be a bit thin compared to more barrel-proof rums. I found it unique years ago, and even now, it doesn't disappoint in terms of complexity. The sweetness takes prominence on the finish with some honey notes. There is practically no burn at all. I might have initially discovered this rum because of a cocktail recipe or two, but I find myself drinking it neat more often than using it in cocktails. It might not be a rum to show off to your friends, but it gets the job done and is more than satisfactory as an everyday drink. If you're interested in trying a rum that offers a bit more than the usual rich, sweet rums often marketed to the public (and often at higher prices than this), then I would definitely recommend this rum.

Attractive bottle with the red wax seal, but the cork was starting to crumble when I opened it. It was on sale at the LCBO in Ontario, so this bottle might have been around for a while. No worries, though; it made me feel like a pirate finding old grog on a ship he just raided. On the nose, there are tropical fruits, burnt sugar, and cinnamon, along with some alcohol. On the palate, it's sweet, smooth, but a bit watery. Tastes of molasses, vanilla, banana, and cinnamon. The finish is fruity with some oak notes. It's medium in length. Interestingly, there's no warmth on the palate, only on the finish. I'm glad I tried it and would have it again, but maybe wouldn't buy a full bottle. A good drink for relaxing.

This is my initial experience with aged rums, having mainly consumed rye, bourbon, and single malts... along with some añejo and mezcal. Since this is my first, the rating is somewhat arbitrary. The nose is full of butterscotch, toffee, molasses, with slight hints of pear, banana bread, and baking spices. The palate is nice and warm, with big bursts of toffee and brown butter. Lots of caramel, molasses, and butterscotch that fades into vanilla and oak. The finish is somewhat brief but delicious. It’s delightful, especially as a dessert drink after a meal, but not overly complex. More to come as my palate adjusts.

Aroma: Caramel, molasses, brown sugar, and candied tropical fruit with hints of smoke and chocolate. Delicate and pleasant. Palate: Rich and spicy, with cinnamon and an almost chili-like heat. Burnt brown sugar notes are present, along with smoky and woody characteristics. It's sweet but not excessively so. The texture is thick and viscous, akin to cough syrup, in a positive way. The balance is commendable, with no single element overpowering the others. Overall: Very enjoyable. It could perhaps use a bit more intensity or depth, but I appreciate it as a refined sipper that rewards thoughtful tasting.

This is the perfect rum for sipping. If you find Diplomatico too sweet and bland now, try Santa Teresa 1796. It reminds me a lot of that popular Venezuelan rum, but it has considerably less sugar and more complexity from the solera aging. You'll find the familiar honey, butterscotch, and chocolate notes, but also more nuts, dried fruits, and a whisper of smoky oak. It achieves a great harmony among its elements, remaining accessible yet engaging with each taste. It's my top choice for a Latin-style rum so far.