Pumpkin Face 23 years 1980 40°.

This Pumpkin Face is a traditional rum from the Dominican Republic, distilled in 1980 (this is a vintage) and aged in oak barrels for 23 years (this is not a blend of several years or an average). It then rested in stainless steel vats for a further 10 years. Even if these 10 years don't technically count as years (the vat was hermetically sealed, so there was no share of angels during this period), this extra rest helped to homogenize the aromas.

Old vintages from the Dominican Republic are not common, making this "ron" a rarity.

Nico's tasting notes

In brief: sweet spices - wood - fruit - roasting - roundness

The nose is charming and rather concentrated. The usual notes of traditional Spanish molasses rums are well represented: vanilla, wood, tobacco, roasted nuts, caramel and a hint of honey. It's this certain notion of concentration that gives this rum its charm, with a white woodiness that now draws on coconut and cocoa.
Aeration gives a lighter, less roasted profile, with more white wood and coconut. Toasted white bread and vanilla contribute to this brighter impression, strongly marked by coconut and now a little milk chocolate.

On the palate, the charm is still there, with this woody coconut (or is it woody coconut?) very gourmand. The caramel is sweet, as is the vanilla, offering a very round texture. Roastiness comes through more on the finish, as does tobacco. The overall impression is tasty and very smooth.

The finish is a continuity of roasted nuts and tobacco, rather bold but powerful, leaving a taste of nougatine on the taste buds.

"A rather interesting and balanced Latino rum, rather sweet but above all devilishly tasty..."