Legendario Elixir de Cuba
Review: Legendario Elixir de Cuba Rum (90.5)
a review by Chip Dykstra (AKA Arctic Wolf)
Posted October 2009
In the Bottle: (3.5/5)
If only they would use a cork instead of the metal screw top. I really was disappointing when the closure started leaking, and I had to disassemble the inferior arrangement (which had started to fall apart) and replace it with a cork. In discussions with various store owners in my locale I discovered that this is a very common problem.
In the Glass: (9.5/10)
This is a dark, rich, heavy rum. I get oriental spices, nutmeg, dark molasses, and sweet honey when I nose the glass. A truly decadent nose although it may be too rich and sweet for some.
In the Mouth (55.0/60)
This is really rich. Very very sweet, and more like a rum liqueur than a true rum. It has a hazelnut accent reminding me a bit of Frangelico except the rum is heavier in the mouth, less viscous and of course tastes much more of molasses and caramel.
If I have described some rums as oily, I would have to describe this one as almost honey like in its texture. Actually just using the word texture says it all. All of the spiciness, the oakiness, the Frangeliconess is all in marvelous balance. This is a sipping experience.
In the Throat (14.0/15)
The flavour stays in the mouth long after the drink is gone, but the throat receives just a gentle burn.
The Afterburn (8.5/10)
When taken in intermittent doses this a very pleasing experience. It lacks the bitterness so common in other Cuban Rums. Try this rum for a completely different Cuban experience.
———————————————————————————————————————————————
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)
——————————————————————————————————————————————–
Jahdai said
I simply love this rum! Every year me and my wife go to Spain to visit our family. Do you know of a place in the US to but this rum? I bring 3 bottles back every year, but this usually never lasts.
Arctic Wolf said
Hi Jahdai
Unfortunately as long as relations remain as they are between Cuba and the US, it is unfortunately illegal to import or sell Cuban goods in the USA. A very great pity.
Eric said
Just came back from Cuba and absolutely love this rum. Bought 2 bottle gave to my boys and would like some for myself. Threaten them that if the mix with anything other than ice I would take back.
Is there a store in Calgary that sells it.
Arctic Wolf said
Not sure where to find this in Calgary, but try CSN Liquor store. They have ordered stuff in for me in the past. If you are in Edmonton try Aligra, Lacombe Spirits, or Sherbrooke.
Ruminsky van Drunkenburg said
Co-op has the new black-bottled variation (not sure if it was the Elixir, just know it was a Legendario). I saw bottles at the Crowfoot and the Glenmore Co-op stores over the weekend.
vittorio said
Buonasera,
Siamo interessati al Rum Elixir ,se possibile sapere il prezzo per singola bottiglia o confezioni,in attesa di una vostra gradita risposta distinti saluti .
Vittorio Frabbi
Arctic Wolf said
Hello Vittorio:
I truly wish I could read your comment. But thank you for reading my blog. Your support is appreciated.
Chip
PPG said
hello, he wrote;
‘we are interested in rum Elicir, is it possible to know the price per bottle?’
By the way i am sipping on this rum right now and it is absolutely amazing. very nice sipping rum. I bought two bottles of it when i was in Cuba this past January and just cracked the bottle open today. I heard that it is very difficult to buy in Cuba now. Does anyone know if they carry this at the Duty Free shops in Mexico. I am heading there in the next few months and would love to buy some more of this delicious nectar.
PPG from Edmonton Alberta.
Arctic Wolf said
In Alberta, use this link to find particular spirits in your area, Alberta Liquor guide . You are able to find who has stock of any particular spirit, and then you can phone them directly for their pricing.
Hugo Guimarães said
I went to Cuba last June and had the opportunity to taste this incredible rum.
I live in Portugal and can´t find any place where to buy it.
Can you recommend me any other rum that can resemble to Legendario’s in terms of flavour?
Best regards,
Hugo.
Arctic Wolf said
The Legendario is apparently available in Spain if that helps. Rums that are similar would include Hacienda Saruro from Diplomatico, and perhaps Old Port Rum from Amrut. Try running a search on either rum and see if that helps.
pht3k said
i bought a bottle too of this rum last spring while i was in cuba. i opened up the bottle only back in canada to find out that this rum is absolutly incredible. if i ever go to cuba again you can be sure i’ll buy as much bottle of legendario that i am allowed to buy.
Siobhan said
Why did we only bring back one bottle of this rum? I keep asking myself this! Any idea where i can get ahold of this in the uk? Thanks
Arctic Wolf said
I think the closest locale to you with this rum is Spain. Maybe you need another Holiday?
antonio said
In Spain you can find this rum in almost every big shopping mall. I have tried the 7 year old and its flavour is unique,marvellous. I think there are also with 12 years old.
Nick Apivor said
Does anyone know if it’s possible to find this rum in B.C. Liquor stores? A friend brought it back from Cuba, and like everyone else posting here, we all fell in love with it.
By the way; those of you who enjoy this one, try El Dorado 12 yr old from Guyana. You will love it!
Arctic Wolf said
At this point, I believe Alberta is the only Province that carries the Legendario.
Jackie said
In March 2010 we went to Cuba and managed to take back 5 bottles @ a cost of $9.00 Canadian each, between 2 of us with no extra duty. Just got back from Cuba yesterday and can’t even get it there anymore. Went to all the old haunts and no go, they just say you can’t get it anymore. Go figure, I can get it at the liquor store here in Alberta Beach for $48.00. So I guess that is where I’ll go.
Ray said
We returned from Santa Clara Cuba, on Dec 9 2011, with 4 bottles of Legendario, Elixir de Cuba. It was available at the duty free store at the airport. Total cost (on the Mastercard, after exchange to Canadian) was $27.00. Next trip I’ll be importing a case, even at double the price, it looks like it’ll be cheaper than the single bottle price in Alberta, and cheaper than driving there do get it.
Ray
Arctic Wolf said
Great find at the duty free!
(Legendario tastes great doesn’t it.)
roberto said
I bought some cuban elixir of rum in the Bahamas. It was the worst stuff that I ever put in my mouth. Maybe I got a bad batch, but this stuff was just awful. Ended up pouring it down the drain…
Arctic Wolf said
I am curious Roberta what exactly you bought in the Bahamas. As far as I know (although I certainly may be wrong) Legendario Elixir de Cuba is not available in the Bahamas. It is not labeled Cuban Elixir of Rum so maybe you tried something else.
silentmike said
Nice review! I agree completely with the texture. It’s like very runny honey and just as sticky. For people that are having trouble finding it in Cuba, my brother came back from there recently and he went on a tour of the distillery where he picked up several bottles of this (as far as I’m concerned) amazing drink!
Danielle said
For anyone wondering, I went to Varadero and they had it at the Havana Club when you first get onto the strip. I think it was around 9 CUC per bottle, but not a bad price. I only bought two bottles and wish I’d brought back much more. Currently trying to track this down in Calgary! Even if it costs 5 times as much, that’s still cheaper than another trip to Cuba.