Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva Solera 15 Rum (700ml)

The Matusalem Rum Company was started by the Camp brothers in 1872 as a family affair. The "new" Cuban rum rapidly caught on in the world's markets. In the early 1940s they experienced a period of tremendous growth and by the '50s, Matusalem had already captured half of the Cuban market making it the country's leading brand. After fleeing Cuba during Fidel Castro's regime, descendants of the founders now produce Ron Matusalem in the Dominican Republic. It explains why the style is light and delicate, like most Cuban rums. In fact, it's similar to Havana Club, so if you're looking for an easy sipper, this is the one for you.

Named after the Biblical Patriarch, Methuselah who was said to have lived for 969 years, so symbolising patient ageing and old world craftsmanship, the key to Matusalems’s complexity is a Solera aging process, previously used only in sherry and Spanish brandy making. Matusalem was the first to introduce it to rum making. Variously aged liquids are carefully blended, with the core component averaging 15 years old. French oak casks dominate the cellars.

Other reviews... Brilliant copper hue. A soft nose of toffee and butter. A satiny entry leads to a round, fruity-yet-dry, medium-bodied palate with praline and brown spice notes. Finishes with smooth spicy oak flavors. A finely balanced, very silky, aged rum. 40% Alc./Vol. International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal, 95 points (Exceptional) - .tastings.com

...Palate entry is slightly maple-like and more bittersweet than flat-out sweet; the midpalate shows rich molasses and sugar maple tastes. Aftertaste is long, slightly lead pencil-like, bittersweet and elegant. 92 points - wineenthusiast.com

Upon sipping the rum it is smooth and very well blended in that respect.  The vanilla I could smell earlier comes through in the flavour along with some smoke and oakiness.  The aftertaste is quite spicy and hot.  Not in an alcohol burn way but more in a tingle on the tongue and taste buds. As a sipping rum it isn’t the most complex of rums.  However, the average price of this rum has to be taken into account... it isn’t in the same price bracket as most complex and rewarding sipping rums. Mixed 50/50 with cola the rum is almost creamy giving a smooth texture to the cola and rum mix.  It’s very easy drinking.  This is a very well constructed rum.  It has a lot of similarities in terms of smoothness to Angostura 1919.  Unfortunately much like Angostura 1919 the smoothness seems to sacrifice a little extra complexity in terms of flavour.  The rum doesn’t burst with tropical fruit.  Its a light smooth easy drinking rum with hints of vanilla and a smokiness in the profile. All in all a good rum at a good price.  It doesn’t offer any surprises but for any lover of Cuban/Dominican style rums this is sure to appeal. - thefatrumpirate.com