Classic statements are an important characteristic of superb wine as a result of the yr’s grape harvest normally determines high quality. In spirits, a classic date is about marking the yr of a single barrel launch, or about showcasing the blender’s talent—their skill to make an ideal expression utilizing solely parts from one distillation yr. Classic dates are mostly seen in scotch, amongst impartial bottlers for his or her single cask whiskies, and branded producers like Dalmore, Daftmill, Bruichladdich, and Oban usually.
Rum can be a spot to seek out vintage-dated releases. Right here, too, the main focus is on showcasing a blender’s expertise at working with outdated or uncommon inventory from a given yr. At Venezuelan rum maker Diplomático, the most recent single classic launch is concentrated on mixing, however has a unique method to the same old course of.
Mixing First, Then Maturation
Diplomático’s home fashion facilities round mixing rums which might be produced on three various kinds of stills, every designed to create totally different taste profiles. Its French-style Barbet armagnac column nonetheless produces gentle and tropical distillate; its conventional pot nonetheless creates a heavier and full-bodied spirit with funk notes; and its “batch kettle” hybrid nonetheless brings creamy spice notes. For its releases, Diplomático takes aged shares made on every nonetheless and blends them in distinctive mixtures. However its latest launch flips that course of by mixing the distillates earlier than maturation.
This expression consists of liquid distilled in 2013. Grasp blender Nelson Hernandez chosen unaged rum distilled from every of its three nonetheless varieties, and barreled the mix in a mixture of bourbon and whiskey casks. The mix was then aged for 10 years in Venezuela (Venezuelan rums should be aged for a minimum of 2 years in white oak), with the maturation additionally appearing as an extra-long marriage course of for the mix parts. These barrels skilled a mean of 6–8% angels’ share yearly, shedding round 60% of their total quantity to evaporation. The ultimate launch yielded round 18,000 bottles.
Roughly 6,000 bottles of Diplomático 2013 Single Classic had been allotted to the U.S. The rum will be discovered at choose retailers across the nation, with a steered retail value of $120.
Tasting Notes
The nostril is pretty deep, kicking off with a aromatic, perfumed wooden notice—not fairly oak, however one thing comparable—that’s joined by ripe fruits, banana bread, and vanilla extract. The fruitiness carries over to the palate, with mango and cherry, plus leather-based, tobacco, oak, and vanilla. The end provides spices, clove, and floor cinnamon.
Should you’re already conversant in Diplomático’s core vary of two–12 yr outdated Reserva Exclusiva, then this newcomer shall be a departure. The Reserva has a really conspicuous clove notice on the nostril, which is absent within the single classic. Vanilla reigns supreme on the Reserva’s palate, however it performs extra of a background position in Single Classic, undercut by nice oak and fruit notes. 2013 Single Classic has a drier profile total, however it provides nice depth of taste. We suggest sipping it neat.
Diplomático 2013 Single Classic Rum
ABV: 43%
SRP: $120
Availability: 6,000 bottles for the U.S.; at retailers nationwide
