970 Reserva 6 ans is an agricultural rum from Madeira Island, distilled by Engenhos do Norte. This old "mill" (engenho) is Madeira's most important. It is an integral part of the heritage of this former sugar island.
The pure cane juice, harvested entirely by hand, is distilled on Barbet copper columns. The rum is then placed in French oak barrels for at least 6 years, before being blended, reduced and bottled.
Nico's tasting notes
On the nose, the cane is candied in vanilla-blond tobacco, Amsterdamer-style. Sweet, vinous notes coat the whole, like a slightly sweet white wine with jammy fruitiness. The atmosphere is greedy, brioche-like, with a hint of menthol.
Aeration further rounds out the rum, which then highlights its jammy fruit. Apricot, mirabelle plum and peach all melt into a sweetly spiced marmalade.
The palate is soft, but not really round. Rather, fluidity prevails, in a cane juice enhanced by various nuances of tobacco, from vanilla blond to peppery brown. A hint of gunflint leads on to rye, toasted cereals and bitter cocoa.
The finish is softly woody, with a luscious blend of vanilla and sweet pepper.
"A rum very typical of the Madeira tradition, and very easy to approach..."
