Mombacho Ron Reserva 8yo

Today we have a Nicaraguan rum from Mombacho. This seems to be another one of those obscure ones that I can find next to no information on, some websites claiming it to be sourced and others not. No information to be found on sweetening or additives either, and the only reference to barrel aging says “american oak” and nothing else. So once again, we’ll have to let my nose lead the way…

This is a series of blind tastings from the “24 Rums” advent calendar. I have not looked at what is in the calendar, so every one of these reviews is 100% no prior knowledge.

1. Dictador 20
2. Whisper Antigua Gold Rum
3. New Grove 8yo
4. Cihuatan 8 year Solera
5. Domaine de Séverin VO
6. Novo Fogo Familia
7. NAUD Ron Panama 15yo
8. Enghaven Blackstrap Rum
9. Zuidam Flying Dutchman Dark Rum No. 3
10. Deadhead Dark Chocolate
11. Rum Magec Ron Añejo XO Oloroso
12. Fijian Rum Liqueur 8yo
13. Matugga Golden Rum
14. Cane Island Trinidad Rum
15. Cane Island Jamaica Rum
16. Saint James Rhum Vieux 7yo
17. Neptuns Rhum
18. Cane Island Cuba Rum
19. Borgoe 8yo
20. Mombacho Ron Reserva 8yo
21. Old New Orleans Amber Rum
22. Tres Hombres 2017 7 year Solera
23. Travellers 5yo Reserve
24. Barceló Imperial Ron Dominicano
25. Barceló Imperial Ron Dominicano (Take 2)

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Distiller: Mombacho
ABV: 40%
Age: 8yo
Cask type: “American Oak” (likely ex-bourbon)
Source: 24 Rums Advent Calendar
Setting: Blind

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Nose: Vanilla, dark wood, cherry, dry oak, brown sugar, some wood ash. Fanastic wood-forward nose.
Palate: Powerful oak vanilla character, caramelized orange, brown sugar.
Finish: Finishes on a strongly fused note of vanilla, brown sugar and oak.
Overall: As you are probably reading from the notes, this was all brown sugar and oak, which is a profile that I really dig in rum. Hey, it’s what got me interested in the first place. This is great stuff. Up the proof and this is easily a 7.
Rank: 6
Reveal: For the prices I’m seeing for a bottle of this, it is good value. It did not seem to be sweetened at all, and had a delicious wood-forward nose that reminds of a Foursquare or two. Certainly worth checking out more.