Barceló Imperial Ron Dominicano (Take 2)

Merry Christmas! Today we’re headed back to exactly the same dram I had yesterday. The producer of this calendar had it turns out not included a rum for the 25th, but in fact included a duplicate of the rum from the 24th. Fortunately I did not know this, so for Christmas Day we get to do an audit of my tasting notes. For convenience I will include yesterday’s notes for this same rum in italic.

So, then, since this is the last review from the 24 Rums Advent Calendar, some thoughts about it. I liked the fact that there was so much diversity here, from liqueurs to sweetened rums to dry rums. I really liked that every day was a different country, showing a ton of diversity. The price point for this calendar was just right, for comparison it cost just a bit more than a bottle of Pusser’s Gunpowder Proof. On the other hand the quality of the rums was lacking. For many of these countries there were much better rums available, but the producers went cheap. This is totally understandable, it makes the calendar accessible and affordable. Next year I’ll be looking for something of a little more quality, though.

I was certainly bummed that neither Barbados or Australia were included, but I do have enough chances to taste rums from those countries outside the calendar.

All in all, when I compare this to The Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar that I purchased this year, I am far happier with the Rum calendar. It was cheap, fun, and accessible. SWAC was incredibly expensive (comparable to a couple of Velier bottles), and the quality was absent.

Thanks for following along, everyone! I’ll be starting the new year with some Foursquare and Aussie rum reviews, hopefully!

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)

---

Distiller: Ron Barceló
ABV: 38%
Age: 4-10yo
Cask type: Ex-bourbon
Source: 24 Rums Advent Calendar
Setting: Blind

---

Yesterday’s Notes
Nose: Vanilla, rich oak, leather, new shoes, apricot, cherry, nutmeg. Rich woody notes with a subtle brown sugar fruit background. Great nose.
Palate: Rich oak, vanilla and nutmeg, and completely dry. Very light on the palate.
Finish: Rounds out to a dry but deep woodiness, vanilla, brown sugar and sultanas.
Overall: Rich and clean oaky vibrance wraps a lightly spicy fruit core. Great, if straight forward, stuff. Reminds a little of a Seale produced product (could it be?).
Rank: 6

Nose: Sultanas, treacle and wet oak. A lot of a dried fruit notes.
Palate: Light and round, primarily dried fruit, sultanas and apricot.
Finish: Dried fruit notes persist, then fade to oak and a thread of vanilla.
Overall: A really enjoyable fruit forward rum that doesn’t seem to be sweetened. I unfortunately don’t think we’ve come to Barbados today either :(
Rank: 6
Reveal: Hah! Fun. I guess my palate was a little more deadened today after all the Christmas food, but I think I experienced it mostly the same. I’m a little sad I didn’t pick up just how close this was to yesterday’s rum. At least I gave it the same rating!