When you're in the Dominican Republic you have to try the local rum, Brugal. It's great, you can't miss it. It's one of the most highly branded products in the country, probably competing with the top two cell phone companies in the country for biggest ad budgets. Regardless, it's medium to light bodied rum, a little hot, and with no strong sugar or spice. Great though, and I love having it in a mixed drink on warm nights here.
Brugal was picked up this year by Macallan, the scotch company. They are great at making a consistent high quality scotch. Still, I like a little variety.
So when I was flying to Manhattan last month, I poked my head in the duty free shop to see what was happening. Nothing really that new, but I've been hearing that the best rums come from Martinique. So I asked the gentlemen who was trying to sell me a very interesting bottle of Talisker about these rums. He said, no they didn't have any from Martinique, pretty much high end local and Jamaican rums. He did however tell me about what he says has been recognized as the best rum in the world.
Ron Zacapa Centenario Rum, Solera Grand Reserve is the name. It won the gold award, and I don't know much about that distinction, from 1999 through 2002, 4 years in a row. And it's from Guatemala. I told the gentleman who was describing it to me that I'd never heard of it, and that the only thing that I knew that came from Guatemala was short people. I know horrible, but it's true.
What I do know is that this rum has a very dark amber color. It is distilled from fine cane honey and stored in casks that were previously used for boubon, sherry and wines. The rums are stored from 6 to 23 years like this, then blended to reach a final design. It's stronger than typical rum so it's a little hot, but not in a way that is troublesome. What is more noticeable is the flavor, it will taste sweet like a light caramel. You can taste vanilla and honey too. It is fantastic!
This rum is truly designed for sipping, as the best whiskeys and tequilas are. I pour myself less than a shot, no ice and sip it for around an hour. The flavors are so full and rich and appealing that you don't want to ruin it, you want to savor what you are tasting and let the flavors balance on your taste buds, because you have never had anything like it.
If you can find it, you must try it!
Cheers,
Vincent