A.H. Riise Familly Reserve comes from the U.S. Virgin Islands, located next to Puerto Rico, between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Family Reserve, aged an average of 25 years using the solera method, is one of A.H. Riise's finest rums.
Only 3,000 bottles are produced each year.
Nico's tasting notes
Lots and lots of cinnamon on the nose, reigning supreme from the outset. There's also a hint of clove and the sweetness of vanilla. There's a hint of licorice from the molasses, but it's the cinnamon that takes the cake.
Aeration brings to mind a soda, or rather sodas. Cola first, then a spicy cola like a Dr Pepper. Then the ginger comes in and we think more of a ginger ale. There's always an impression of spicy confectionery, like these pepper and cinnamon chewing gums.
The palate is thick and sweet, with the orange zest making an initial impression on the taste buds. In the middle of the palate, there's a lot of molasses, and it's at this point that you really feel you're drinking a rum. Of course, the omnipresent cinnamon on the nose makes a comeback, sprinkled over a few fruit aromas.
The finish leaves a sweet film on the lips with... cinnamon!
romain
a little olfactory UFO!
A nose that could be compared to a Jean Claude Van Damme split. Indeed, it goes in all directions. You get the smell of a new tennis ball, then cinnamon, then candy cola. On a blind taste test, I'd have gone for a Jamaican for the chemical aspect, but then I'd have gone for a spicy blend because this rum is too muddled to be a Jamaican.
There's a hint of vanilla and sweet spices. It's a complex nose, not necessarily very elegant due to its lack of coherence, but interesting.
On the palate, the sweetness of gelatin candy. Syrupy, honeyed. There's a hint of Coca-Cola on the nose, with a slice of orange or tangerine. There's also cinnamon, apricot and yellow fruit. There's also a hint of Sauternes in the background.
This Riise reminds me of Liqueur Napoléon for its citrus flavour on the palate.
A finish of citrus syrup, coca and cinnamon.
In conclusion, I'm puzzled by this rum. First of all, it can't be said that this rum lacks complexity. It's got substance, and it's easy to identify aromas. On the other hand, it seems like a rum arranged with angostura and liqueur. Too sweet, too syrupy for my taste.
Drink with a yellow fruit tart for dessert.
If you like sauternes and very sweet rums, this is the place for you.
3/5 (too syrupy and muddled for me despite its aromatic complexity, but I like drier rums!)