Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva

Review: Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva (91.5 pts/100)
Review by Chip Dykstra (Aka) Arctic Wolf
Revised and re-published December 04, 2017

In the late 1950s, the main companies involved in the production and distribution of alcoholic spirits in Venezuela were grouped into one organization called Licorerias Unitas S.A. by the initiative of Seagrams who owned 51 % of the new entity until 1992. After a series of mergers and acquisitions involving Seagrams, Diageo, and Pernod Richard, a decision was made to divest in facilities and to instead concentrate on brand commercialization. The result was a group of local investors who purchased the manufacturing assets of Licorerias Unitas S.A. and formed Distilleries Unitas S.A. (DUSA) on August 22, 2002. Although this company is relatively new, the tradition of making quality rum in Venezuela using the these facilities which is not. In fact sugar cane has been cultivated in Venezuela perhaps as early as the 16th century.  Systematic rum production in Venezuela can be dated to 1896.

In 2009 when I wrote my original review for the Exclusiva Reserva, the Distilleries Unitas S.A. (DUSA) website states that the rum they produce is distilled from “honeys derived from sugar cane” and fermented molasses. Additionally, all of the stills and distillation kettles were made from copper. The website also made it clear that flavouring and aromatic agents are used in the production of their rum, as this statement on the website attested:

“Only high purity distilled alcohols and rich aromas and flavours are used to manufacture rums…”

Interestingly, several years later, the DUSA website no longer makes any mention of kettle stills or of any flavouring and aromatic agents used in the production of their rum. I doubt that they have changed their rum; more probably, they have decided less information regarding their production methods may be wiser in the long run from a marketing prospective.

For the record, I have no objection to the use of flavouring agents in rum, as this is a tradition which dates back to the very origins of rum distillation and production. In fact, this practice is recognized in the regulations which govern what can legally be called rum in both Canada and the United States. (See What is Rum?) My feeling when completing a review is that the spirit should be judged in the bottle and in the glass, rather than prejudged by whatever misconceptions I may have regarding how a rum should be made.

Diplomatico Exclusiva Reserva is described as a premium rum produced from both column still rums and pot still rum. Within the blend are rums which are aged up to 12 years. The combination of tropical aging, batch still production, and those rich aromas and flavours which I mentioned above yields an exquisite rum which has long been one of my favourites.

In the Bottle  5/5

I like the green canister which houses the rum and the nice green bottle which displays the rum. The ‘postage stamp’ label is original, and the corked top always gives me that satisfying ‘pop’ when the bottle is opened.

Recently I have seen a gift box presentation which is equally satisfying (see below).

In the Glass (9/10)

The Diplomatico Exclusiva Reserva has a stupendous bouquet. The smells and aromas coming from the glass are rich and luxurious. There is a strong indication of caramel with nice accents of cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and walnuts.The oak push from the barrel aging lies alongside the other scents and smells. I am finding myself wishing the oak was perhaps just a little stronger such tat it would dominate the breezes rather than the caramel.

The rum displays a nice soft oil on the sides of the glass when I tilt and twirl it indicating that the rum should have long finish as well.

In the Mouth (55/60)

All the scents and smells from the nosing come through in spades when I taste the rum. There is a nice underlying nuttiness (walnuts and hazelnuts), some sweet caramel and some very delicious baking spices (vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar). As the glass breathes, The richness of the rum builds and I taste even more brown sugar and cinnamon with butter.

Again, I am finding that I wish the oak had a firmer push. The sweetness of the caramel need a foil to act against. I am finding that my trips to the Exclusiva bottle on my bar shelf are becoming much less frequent and the reason is that my mood seldom suits the lush rich sweetness of the rum.

In the Throat (13.5/15)

My throat is coated with caramel, cocoa and the nuttiness of walnuts. There are some nice hints of menthol and ebbing baking spices that linger.

The Afterburn (9/10)

Whenever I serve the Diplomatico Exclusiva Reserva at any large gathering it is always well received. It is sweeter than most rums in its category; but that sweet flavour profile appears to strike the right cord for most people. I admit though that my own appreciation for the spirit seems to have dampened somewhat over the past several years.

This year I decided to revisit my review with a score that more accurately reflects my feelings. The Diplomatico Exclusiva, still deserves a high score and may still be regarded as one of my favourites. However it no longer sits in the stratosphere as one of my top five rums (just comfortably in the top 25).

If you are interested in comparing more scores, here is a link to my other published Rum Reviews.

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My Final Score is out of 100 and you may (loosely) interpret the score as follows:

0-25     A spirit with a rating this low would actually kill you.
26-49   Depending upon your fortitude you might actually survive this.
50 -59  You are safe to drink this…but you shouldn’t.
60-69   Substandard swill which you may offer to people you do not want to see again.
70-74    Now we have a fair mixing rum or whisky.  Accept this but make sure it is mixed into a cocktail.
75-79    You may begin to serve this to friends, again probably still cocktail territory.
80-84    We begin to enjoy this spirit neat or on the rocks. (I will still primarily mix cocktails)
85-89    Excellent for sipping or for mixing!
90-94    Definitely a primary sipping spirit, in fact you may want to hoard this for yourself.
95-97.5 The Cream of the Crop
98+       I haven’t met this bottle yet…but I want to.

Very loosely we may put my scores into terms that you may be familiar with on a Gold, Silver, and  Bronze medal  scale as follows:

70 – 79.5    Bronze Medal (Recommended only as a mixer)
80 – 89.5     Silver Medal (Recommended for sipping and or a high quality mixer)
90 – 95         Gold Medal (Highly recommended for sipping and for sublime cocktails.)
95.5+            Platinum Award (Highest Recommendation)