Dictador Ultra Premium Reserve 12 Year Aged Rum: A Colombian Treasure, Decades in the Making
Experience the rich heritage and exceptional craftsmanship of Cartagena, Colombia, with Dictador Ultra Premium Reserve 12 Year Aged Rum. This iconic expression from Dictador, a brand with over a century of distilling history, offers a captivating blend of tradition and innovative techniques, culminating in a rum of remarkable depth and character.
Dictador's unique approach begins not with molasses, but with the fermentation of virgin sugarcane honey—a concentrated syrup from the first press of pure sugarcane juice. This carefully fermented "honey" is then distilled using a hybrid process: partly in a traditional copper alembic pot still to capture bold aromatics, and partly in a continuous steel column still to achieve a medium-bodied spirit. This dual distillation method creates Dictador's signature balance of richness and smoothness.
The rum then undergoes a meticulous aging process in a combination of carefully selected oak barrels. While the "12 Year" denotes the average age of the blend, Dictador utilizes a Solera system for its aging, ensuring a consistent and complex profile with younger rums blended with older reserves. The aging takes place in a variety of casks, including ex-Bourbon barrels, and a portion is often finished in ex-Cherry and ex-Porto barrels, adding layers of fruit, spice, and unique wood notes. This extended tropical aging imparts a profound richness and mellow character to the spirit. It is typically bottled at a versatile 40% ABV (80 Proof), making it exceptionally smooth and approachable.
Key Characteristics:
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12 Year Average Age (Solera System): A testament to extensive maturation, delivering depth and consistency.
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Virgin Sugarcane Honey Base: Distilled from concentrated sugarcane juice, not molasses, for a distinct flavor profile.
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Hybrid Distillation: Uses both copper pot stills and continuous column stills for a balanced body and aroma.
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Multi-Cask Aging: Matured in ex-Bourbon, and often finished in ex-Cherry and ex-Porto barrels.
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Smooth & Accessible (40% ABV): Perfect for sipping neat, on the rocks, or in premium cocktails.
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Colombian Heritage: Crafted in Cartagena, Colombia, drawing on over 100 years of distilling tradition.
Tasting Notes:
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Appearance: Radiant light copper with alluring amber highlights.
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Nose: An inviting and intense bouquet of sweet treacle and maple syrup, leading into rich notes of roasted coffee beans, creamy vanilla, and manuka honey. Hints of tobacco and aged leather add complex depth.
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Palate: Soft and round, coating the palate with luscious flavors of caramel, cocoa, and honey. Light coffee notes emerge, complemented by a delicate spice and the warmth of creamy, spiced oak. Some tasters also detect notes of dried fruits (like figs and plums) and a subtle nuttiness.
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Finish: Persistent and pleasantly long, with lingering notes of sweet tobacco, roasted coffee, and a refined touch of oak and spice. A smooth, satisfying conclusion that leaves a memorable impression.
Awards & Recognition:
Dictador Ultra Premium Reserve 12 Year Aged Rum has garnered significant acclaim in international spirits competitions, a testament to its consistent quality and unique character. While specific awards can vary by year, Dictador rums frequently receive:
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Gold and Double Gold Medals at prestigious events such as the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Miami Rum Festival, and World Spirit Awards.
- Consistently praised by critics for its smoothness, complexity, and distinctive flavor profile that sets it apart in the premium rum category.
Overall Impression:
Dictador Ultra Premium Reserve 12 Year Aged Rum is more than just a spirit; it's an experience rooted in Colombian passion and perfected through generations of craftsmanship. Its unique production methods and intricate aging process result in a rum that is both approachable and profoundly complex. Ideal for sipping neat to savor its layered flavors, or as a sophisticated base for classic rum cocktails, this 12-year-old expression is a must-try for any rum enthusiast seeking a taste of exceptional quality and rich heritage.
