#Top100Rums of 2017: #8 – El Dorado 12 Year Old
Posted by Arctic Wolf on December 13, 2017
Demerara County (in Guyana) is popular across the world for its rich, three hundred year history of rum production. Using a combination of old wooden stills in conjunction with modern stills and distilling techniques, Demerara Distillers Ltd. (DDL) has built a reputation for outstanding quality and consistent production. In fact, Demerara Distillers is the currently the largest supplier of bulk Caribbean rums to Europe and North America.
The El Dorado 12 Year Old Special Reserve Rum is blended from aged stocks (the youngest being no less than 12 years old) from the original Wooden Enmore Coffey still, the original metal Diamond Coffey still, as well as from the ancient Port Mourant double wooden pot still which was used to produce ‘navy’ rum for the English Admiralty. All of the Demerara Rum produced by El Dorado is aged exclusively in American oak (bourbon barrels).
Here is a link to the review for the Rum Howler #8 Rum of 2017:
Review: El Dorado 12 Year Old Special Reserve Rum
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We have reached the top 10 rum spirits of 2017. I have reviewed and/or re-tasted each of the top 10 rums within the past year. (All Rum reviews were based upon bottle samples either purchased by myself or provided to me by industry.)
You can continue to follow the countdown on twitter (Rum Howler on Twitter) using the hashtag #Top100Rums.
Alternatively you can view the list as it grows daily by viewing my Reveal Page:
The Rum Howler – Top 100 Rums of 2017
5 Responses to “#Top100Rums of 2017: #8 – El Dorado 12 Year Old”
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Cest La Vibe said
I opened a bottle of this last week after not having it for a few years. I noticed mostly notes of brown sugar and ripe starfruit on a backdrop of citrus zest and oak. My main problem is that this rum is just far too sweet!
Arctic Wolf said
Many persons seem to lose their affinity for the sweeter rums as they grow older. I think what happens (and this is just a guess) that the drier spirits take a little getting used to, but as a person begins to experience more of the rich dry flavours available they begin to appeal to that person more and more.
With respect to the rums from South America, it is probably true to say that the style in that region favours the sweeter side of the palate. If you like dry rums, try the Appleton 12 which is approximately the same price, and the same quality as the El Dorado 12. Jamaican Rums tend to favour the dry side of the palate. I find those who love the Appleton 12 tend to dislike the El Dorado 12 and vice versa.
Fortunately for me I can still find happiness on both side of the fence.
Cest La Vibe said
I’ll try it. I’ve tried the younger Appleton Rums and I really liked Signature Blend because of how bold and fruity it was but I wasn’t to pleased with Appleton Reserve.
I really like rum from Barbados (Mount Gay XO, Doorly’s XO, Old Brigand) and rum from Trinidad (VAT 19, Royak Oak, Fernandes Black Label) but I really need to explore Jamaican rum properly.
Arctic Wolf said
Let me know how it works out.
DWAYNE W STEWART said
Now that I have bunkered a case for my future I want to reinforce your rating/placement of the Panama Red 108 Overproof. In fact I would score a few points higher. With a little water very sippable. To my fellow rum lovers if you see it as I did high teens USD, low $20s CDN don’t be skeptical-just buy it!