Bristol Reserve Rum of Nicaragua 18 years 1999-2017 aged in American oak barrels for 18 years, part of which was spent in Nicaragua in the tropics, and the other part in Bristol, England, in the independent bottler's cool, damp cellar. Bottling took place in 2017.
Nico's tasting notes
The nose reveals a powerful rum, with fairly light alcohol that still carries a few floral and freshly vegetal hints. Soon, a fairly dry wood takes over, preserving this taut, lively aspect. Bagasse and straw come to mind, and then we escape into the maquis as the fragrances develop.
Aeration allows the rum to soften and let the charm of the American oak barrel take effect. The wood is then much softer and vanilla-scented, with a hint of blond tobacco. This woody variant brings out a fruitier side, between overripe grape and mirabelle plum.
The palate is the sum of what we saw on the nose. The attack is frank and lively, then the rum becomes increasingly savory on the mid-palate, with tobacco, vanilla and coconut. The register of roasting is there, well coated and caramelized, in a well-balanced equilibrium.
The finish lingers with the typical flavors of American oak, and the rum has just the right amount of body to keep it going long into the finish.
"A well-balanced rum, both in its corpulence and in the way it diffuses the aromas of its cask..."
