Flor de Caña Centenario 12 Year
Flor de Cana Centenario 12yr Old Rum 97pts
a review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
Posted October 2009
In the Bottle: (4.0/5)
The design of the bottle although adequate does not serve to impress. I also believe a sleeve should be used to protect the more expensive spirits from the light. and a cork would be nice instead of the plastic screw top.
In the Glass: (9.5/10)
Oh my goodness, nuts and honey…. dark brown sugar and nutmeg. Allspice and cinnamon. The smell is clean and sharp rather than heavy in spite of the overwhelming array of aroma. I even get wiffs of chocolate cake. I really like this. It is like Flor de Cana 7r, but richer and more polished.
In the Mouth (59.0/60)
I taste everything I smelled in the glass, but these tastes do not hang on the palate, rather they slide down and vanish leaving only faint traces of flavour. We also have outstanding balance and complexity. No flavour dominates except for the brown rummy molasses. The other flavours act only in a complimentary way. Forgive the analogy, but this is as if you have a blind date with a beautiful woman dressed in elegant splendour, and when you stay a while and get to know her you discover she is the girl next door with all the simplicity and charm that makes you love her. It is really difficult to be both but this is.
In the Throat (14.5/15)
What a marvelous finish. Crisp and refined. Traces of spice and oak remain. Absolutely marvelous. Again I am amazed at how clean the finish is. Only haunting shadows of flavour linger, with the ghosts followed quickly by the most crisp bite in the throat afterwords.
The Afterburn (10.0/10)
I have another favourite Rum. This is similar to Flor de Cana 7yr, but more polished and refined, Elegance and personality!
Nuff said!
Suggested Cocktail:
You are probably looking at the words “suggested cocktail” with some dismay. This is, after all, a premium 12 year old rum. But, as is my way, I have no qualms about creating a premium cocktail. I would much rather drink and mix premium rum, than regular rum. Although I do like to keep things very simple and elegant when mixing premium aged rums. Too many competing flavours do not allow the rum to shine through the cocktail.
The Flor De Libre’ for Sipping
- 1 ½ oz Cola (Mexican Cane Cola is good)
- 1 ½ oz Flor de Cana Premium rum
- A sliver of Lime
- 2 Large Ice Cubes
Mix the rum and cola into a glencairn glass. Place the Sliver of Lime into the glass. Add ice cubes on top pushing the lime to the bottom. Enjoy!
(Note: Cocktail added on December 16/09)
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Mike said
Can’t wait to try this one, as it has recently become available in Ontario. I bought Flor de Cana 7 the other year and quite enjoyed it on ice. Should be a nice drink for the summer.
jfpilon said
nice rum indeed. To me it madake me think of new england french toast: table syrup, ornage peel, cinnamon, powdered sugar, cream and bread. very nice. But the speed at which the tastes disapeared made me linger for more…
Paul said
Hi. Just picked this up in :Managua when there on business. Have it here at home and am enjoying it. I also have a bottle of F de C 18 year and a bottle of Guatemalan 23 year. Those older rums definately have the 12 year beat on caramel, chocolate, and sweet. I like the livliness of this 12 year, however. More alcohol than the 18 year by 5% and a lighter nose which gives more light caramel and toffee vs. dark caramel and chocolate/smokiness of the 18 year. Nuts for sure as you mentioned and I like the description of french toast above. Overall, I am not sure I would rate it as high as you did, but it is thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless. Thanks for the time put into your review.
Paul