Notes: A new and much anticipated addition to the Diplomatico line up this is a blanco (white, crystal, as you will). However not just a Blanco but a Reserve Blanco – a rare and beautiful thing in the rum world. A standard Blanco or white rum is a unaged, straight from the still product. A Reserve Blanco is an aged in wood rum that has been filtered to remove color afterwards. Distilled 4 times in copper pot stills then aged in oak casks to 6 years of age, and flittered through carbon 5 times this is not your average blanco to put it mildly. This rum is part of a series, the others beingDiplomatico Anejo, Diplomatico Reserva and Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva.

Appearance: Perfectly clear, almost resinous sparkle with no hazing separation or floating sediments. Long legs and some droplets develop on swirling.

First Impression: Slightly heavy, sweetish, caramelized molasses, stones/minerals, vanilla, tropical fruits, whiffs of oak, char and tobacco drift around the edges of perception. Spicy almost a lean fruitcake floral aromas with lemon, quince, mace, and ginger notes.

Taste: Spicy, solid medium body, touch of sulfur / molasses, cardamom, orris, and nutmeg. Citrus, vanilla, nutty, spicy, finish. A very complex, multilayered, rum experience.

Drinks: Damn nice mixing rum and cheap enough to use and not worry about wasting it. Complex for its age and spicy enough to stand up to other ingredients.

Cigars: A good spicy Dominican or possibly Cuban would go well with this rum Cohiba or Punch?

Bottle/Packaging: Tall clear glass bottle with heavy decanter base gives it a nice heft and balance with Label that looks like oversized antique stamp below shoulder. Dark orange lettering in mid section of bottle and a orange with white lettering label near bottom. Copper orange neck wrap and synthetic cork with ridged top (great seal) finish the package. Simple and elegant shows the clarity of the rum nicely.

Final Thoughts: A really excellent and delightful rum. A real stand-out, not among just blancos but aged ones. Granted, a touch pricey for a rum, but well worth it if you want quality.

Web site:  http://www.dusa.com.ve

Alas, English version does not work. If you can read Spanish, it is quick loading, and somewhat informative. Easy-to-read and navigate.