Matusalem Gran Reserva

Review: Ron Matuselum Gran Reserva (93.5 pts)
a review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
Posted October 2009

IN THE BOTTLE (5.0/5)

I like spirits which arrive in some kind of box or sleeve to keep light from causing any harm to the liquid. Corks are necessary to prevent evaporation and I Like some attempt to make the bottle unique in some way.  This fits the bill nicely.

IN THE GLASS (9.0/10)

A very nice aroma rises from the glass (mostly rummy caramel with a little spice), but it is not quite as rich and full as it could be. No off notes at all but the aroma is just a tad muted.

IN THE MOUTH (56.5/60)

This is very good;  mellow vanilla and caramel are the dominant flavours.  In fact mellow is the best description for this rum. It is very smooth which makes this a good rum to drink straight. There are no bitter notes or other flaws in the flavour profile, and on days when I feel like a more mellow drink this really hits the spot.  I have a suspicion that the rum has been filtered  or  has been distilled multiple times to achieve this effect.  This is not a drawback but an observation.

IN THE THROAT (14.0/15)

Just a little more kick and this would be perfect. As it is we have a nice, smooth, mellow exit.

THE AFTERBURN (9.0/10)

I consider this a mood rum.  When I feel mellow, and I want to stay that way, this is perfect.
I really like to smell my glass after my drink and savour the last moments.

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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)