Bermudez Anniversario
Rum Review: Ron Bermudez Anniversario 91.5/100
a review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
Posted June 14, 2010 (Revised November 2012)
This is the third review I have published with respect to the rums of Ron Bermudez . I previously reviewed the Ron Anejo Bermudez 5 Anos and the Bermudez 1852 Ron Anejo 10 Anos Don Armando based upon sample bottles provided to my by Westway L. LTD. My sample bottle of the Ron Bermudez Anniversario rum was also supplied by Westway, as they are introducing the Bermudez rums into my home Province of Alberta. The Anniverario is a well aged rum full of character and oak flavour, and it was a delight to cap off my reviews of the Bermudez range with this outstanding rum.
In the Bottle 4/5
The Ron Bermudez Anniversario arrives with elegant style in a bold black box with gold trim and fonts. Although the bottle looks black in the picture it is actually a dark green. The label is entirely in Spanish; but fortunately my Spanish is just good enough that I can report that the bottle does not include an age statement. (The supplier of the spirit has informed me that the age of the spirit is 15 years, but other statements I have seen online indicate a 12 year old spirit. I am not sure of course; but it is very possible that Bermudez has recently changed the age of their Anniversario from 12 to 15 years) The spirit is bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.
I am disappointed in the black metal screw cap, however as this may be considered a premium spirit, it is not priced as such, so I have not deducted a major penalty for the inferior cap, (just a minor penalty).
In the Glass 9/10
In the glass the rum is a nice clean amber brown colour. A thick layer of oil coated the side of my glass when I tilted it, and I watched as long legs slowly formed, and then slowly crawled down back into the rum.
I found the aroma of the Ron Bermudez Anniversario to be very consistent with the aroma from the Ron Bermudez Anejo 1852, which I reviewed earlier. Initially, I receive a soft caramel and vanilla from the glass. This is followed by stronger aromas of oak tannin and spice. As I allow the glass to decant, an aroma of fragrant baking spices became more assertive over time expressing a rich molasses and a spicy toffee. There also appears to be a gentle smoke in the air with vague scents of dried fruit. Although this is consistent with the aroma of the younger 5 Anos Bermudez rum, it is not really the same. The Anniversario is richer and deeper with more oak character and spice.
In the Mouth 56/60
In the younger versions of the Ron Bermudez rums, the flavours of rich caramel and butterscotch (and soft ripe fruit) tended to lead out and perhaps define the characteristic flavour of those rums. However, in the case of the Ron Bermudez Anniversario these flavours are no longer as dominant. Instead the oak tannin spices and the citrus zests have taken command. The rum is spicy with hints of cinnamon and orange peel. Toffee and caramel sit in the background supporting the spicier flavour of the oak. There is also a firm leathery smoke in the rum which is full of the flavours of dried fruits (raisins, dates, and prunes). When I sampled the younger 5-year-old Bermudez rum, I had a vague impression that there was a metallic taste in the rum; but now, in the older Ron Bermudez Anniversario, this metallic element is more identifiable. To me it similar to a flavour I have noted in other Dominican rums and identified as a hint of iodine and a dash of musty ocean brine.
I find that the combinations of flavours that I receive from the Anniversario is providing a complex, but inviting character which I am enjoying immensely.
In the Throat 13.5/15
The rum exits the mouth with a rush of oak spice tempered by a long finish of sweet molasses and caramel. It is just a little spicy as it swarms the tonsils on the way down but the burn is appealing. A real feeling of richness and style seems to follow with the exit of the rum.
The Afterburn 9/10
This is a really great rum. It is full of oaky spices and flavour without the oak turning bitter. It has an elegant style reminiscent of cognac but it fully retains its character as rum. I have found this to be a completely unexpected treat.
If you are interested in comparing more scores, here is a link to my other published Rum Reviews.
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You may (loosely) interpret the scores 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)
The Rum Howler Blog 
Willie the Wino said
This definitely has the “Dominican tang” you mention, more so than the Brugal, I found. At the first sip I found the tang a little too prominent and bitter, and worried that it would ruin the bottle for me. A week and a third of the bottle later, I find that not only am I getting used to the tang, I’m getting the rest of the flavour profile through. The ‘Dominican tang’ may be a bit of an acquired taste, but once you get it, it seems, it adds an extra dimension to the drink. Challenging, but welcomingly so. Could do without the tacky plastic seal on the bottle though, it makes it look like a prop from my little nephew’s adventure pirate kit 😀
Arctic Wolf said
Hi Willie
The Bermudez Anniversario is a rum which seems to grow as you give your palate time to adjust to its flavour. And yes that musty dab of iodine really begins to taste swell after a few visits to the bottle.
Jay said
Where can this rum be purchased in the US? I’m located in NJ in the NYC Vicinity. Please advise!!
Arctic Wolf said
To be honest I have no idea of the distribution range of this product in the U.S. It is available in Alberta where I live and in the Dominican Republic. I suspect some online stores like Hi-Times or Bev Mo may carry it. Perhaps another reader can help you out to narrow this down.
Mario Bermudez said
Gentlemen, any idea where to purchase the 1852 Aniversario? I would love to purchase a few bottles of a quality rum that bears my name…
Thanks! Mario Bermudez
Arctic Wolf said
Perhaps you could tell us where you live so that someone might be able to direct you better.
Arthur said
Hello, Mario,
if you live in Alberta you are the luckiest among Canadians: only AB is capable to carry it. So far I found that LiquorConnect.com of Alberta has it in it’s catalogue as well as ZYN.ca of Inglewood. Otherwise it’s nowhere to be fount in Canada nor USA 😦
PS. Ontario’s LCBO must be privatized.
Arthur said
Hello, Arctic Wolf,
it was a real treat to read your review of the Bermudez Aniversario 1852.
Here is my concern: I just returned from a vacation in DR and brought a range of premium rums which I purchased from highly recommended and reputable chain stores of Columbus Plaza (one in S.Domingo and another in La Romana). I was excited by the richness and luxury of Barcelo Imperial and Bermudez Don Armando (my favourite). Not so much by Brugal Extra Viejo (too much old musty oak in it).
But my real disappointment came from the Aniversario 1852! When I uncorcked it, a powerfull whiff of rubbing alcohol hit me in the nose. The color was pale and unimpressive compared to oily amberness of the Don Armando. The taste is thin and far from Don Armando’s fruitiness and carameliness.
Is it a real Aniversario or I got a fake? Mind you, other rums from the same store are superb. I’m puzzled.
Could you give a brief comparision Aniversario vs. Don Armando?
Thanks in advance.
Arthur
Arctic Wolf said
Hi Arthur
What you are describing is not the Bermudez Anniversario I remember from my review.
In my mind, there are two possibilities; one is that you did receive a bad bottle. This seems unlikely based upon your positive experience with the other purchases. The other possibility is that you were not prepared for the oakiness that the Bermudez Anniversario displays. Oak tannins can present themselves as harsh and unappealing to some palates. If the flavour of the Anniversario reminded you of cognac then I suspect that the second possibility is closer to the truth than the first.
(When my brother recently went to the Dominican Republic he brought back a bottle of the Brugal Extra Viejo which when I tasted it seemed more like rubbing alcohol soaked in leather, and nothing like the Extra Viejo I had tasted earlier. I am pretty sure my brother’s bottle was a fake.)
Arthur said
Thanks, Chip, for your prompt and thorough replay.
I’m inclined to the second possibility too. It actually surprised me by its “cognackey” aroma and taste.
It means Aniversario is not my type of drink. The Don Armando is. As well as Flor de Cana 7 yo, which unfortunatelly disappeared from LCBO in Ontario. (BTW, is Bermudez available in sunny Alberta?)
Thanks again.
PS. I think I will make you page the start page in my browser. Very impressive!
Arctic Wolf said
The Bermudez line-up is available but they are not widely distributed.
And Thank you for the great compliment. 🙂