Opthimus 18 ans is a Dominican Republic rum aged in solera, i.e. using the Andalusian method of gradually blending old rums with young ones.
Nico's tasting notes
In brief: fine fruity - balanced - tobacco - vanilla - woody - caramel - mellow
The nose is very approachable and pleasant, both fresh and slightly greedy. The fruit is light, but has something to say. Sometimes ripe (mango), sometimes dry (apricot and raisins), they are always just right and lead us to a more classic but very well blended heart. Vanilla, wood and tobacco strike a decidedly pleasant balance.
If you're looking for a little more character, all you have to do is gently swirl the rum around the rim of the glass, which has the effect of spicing up the profile a little and refocusing it on a well-melted, caramelized woodiness. The spices also give a little boost to the nose, which doesn't flinch but gains in intensity. The fruit now seems contained in a thick, enticing vanilla oil.
On the palate, after a sweet tone of red fruit, the woodiness is very tasty and balanced. Like a full-fat tobacco, it gives off vegetal notes as well as gourmet aromas of caramel or vanilla, and there's even a hint of metal and iodine to prolong the pleasure. The light palate offers a subtle blend of sweet spices and mellow wood, a combination often represented but rarely so well mastered.
On the finish, the palate is cluttered only by a hint of woody vanilla.
"This Latino-style sweet rum is an example of its kind, the balance of its aromas is really subtle and successful..."
