This was a bottle brought back by my sister from her trip to Nicaragua. I’ve had the Flor de Caña Gran Reserva 7 as well as the Centenario 12 before, so this seemed like the logical way to go. I’ve been a little disappointed by the 12, so I wasn’t expecting a lot from this bottle. I opened it a few months ago & to my surprise, the 18 really stands out. It’s much more fragrant, flavourful & balanced. Let’s dive in.
“…it won’t last long in my bar.”
Centenario 18
Distilled by: Flor de Caña Distillery
Type: Column Still Aged Nicaraguan Rum
Region: Chichigalpa, Nicaragua
Age: Average of 18 years in American White Oak ex-Bourbon barrels.
ABV: 40% (80 proof)
Rum Origin: Nicaraguan
Colouring: No
Appearance: 7.5/10
First off, the Centenario 18 comes in a good-looking eccentric box, protecting the rum from UV rays which could interact with the flavour compounds. It is topped with what seems to be an agglomerated cork, ideal to prevent the flow of oxygen, which can also negatively impact the rum. The label is uninformative & misleading. There’s no information on the product except for maybe the big 18 which could falsely lead one to think it’s an 18-year-old rum. There’s a difference between an average of 18 years & a minimum of 18 years. In the glass it has an amber colour with a certain brightness. When I tilt it upon the sides, it leaves a medium to large crest with a myriad of fast-paced giant legs. The liquid seems remarkably fluid which can probably be attributed to the Column Stills.
Nose: 13/15
The nose is quite fragrant. I have no problem smelling the rum from a few feet away. I detect a rich aroma of brown sugar, toasted oak, vanilla & dark maple syrup. There’s without a doubt a lot of influence from the bourbon casks. The ethanol packs a punch, making it sometimes harder to nose properly, so be cautious unless you want to numb your olfactory receptors. There’s a prominent green vegetal aroma that is present in each of their rums. It’s much quieter than in the Gran Reserva & sort of provides an interesting complexity. After the initial bouquet there’s a dominant nutty trait evoking toasted almonds & peanuts. I can also detect a hint of caramel along with some chocolate notes that land somewhere between milk & dark. There’s not much going on in regards to fruity flavours, other than the scarce whispers of orange peel & dried red berries. It’s definitely a step up from their younger rums.
Mouth: 12.5/15
A truly enjoyable mouthfeel. The palate is slightly more viscous than I expected from the visual analysis although it contributes to medium well-rounded body. Even though no sugar is added, there’s definitely a sweet & rich perception. It’s not like a dessert rum, but it’s far from seeming as dry as an Agricole Rhum. The ethanol has been tamed down on the palate, only providing a warming feeling & the acidity is practically absent. The mouthfeel is well-balanced. The flavour profile is relatively similar to what has been perceived on the nose. The same dominant notes of bourbon, caramel & chocolate are present, although slightly easier to distinguish. The fruitiness is increased on the palate, there’s maraschino cherries, flamed orange peel, lemon peel as well as cooked apples. Baking spices also make their way through showing some cinnamon & cardamom followed by a light note of blond tobacco. There’s nothing remarkably special about it, although it feels like it has that distinct Flor de Caña character with an additional quality.
Finish: 8.5/10
The finish puts some unnoticed aromas on the pedestal. It ends rather quickly on delicious potpourri, faint molasses & slightly burnt bread notes. The ethanol does last a bit longer than I would’ve liked.
Overall: 83/100
Like I said in the introduction & throughout the tasting, this Centenario 18 is definitely a step up from their other rums. I would recommend any Flor de Caña to a rum neophyte, although to anyone with some experience, this specific bottle would be the one I would suggest in order to discover Flor de Caña. The mouthfeel is in harmony just like the flavours. The major downside is the complexity, it’s easy to quickly get the hang of it. Still it’s an enjoyable glass & it won’t last long in my bar.
3-word Description:
Nutty, Balanced & Vanilla.
The Reference
More information @flordecana.com
Comments