Review: Ron Inmortal Colombian Rum (Aged 12 Years)     89.5/100
a review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
Posted February 5, 2021

In the historic port of Barranquilla (Colombia), situated between the Magdalena River and the Caribbean Sea, three generations of the Riascos Family have been producing rums at Casa Santana for over two decades. They source sugar cane spirit from various producers in the Caribbean to produce rum for a variety of independent rum companies. La Hechicera, and Juan Santos are two of the rum brands from Casa Santana which I have reviewed here on my website.

Ron Inmortal is produced at Casa Santana for Yotomo Imports a Texas based spirits company. According to the marketing presentation for the Inmortal Rum, the spirit is targeted towards the growing North American market for premium rum.

The sugar cane spirit is distilled from molasses, aged  for 12 years in American Oak barrels, and bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

In The Bottle 4/5

Ron Inmortal is bottled in the squat clear bottle shown to the left. The name of the rum translates from Spanish to English as “Immortal Rum”, it is apparently a a nod to an ancient Malaysian drink called “mortal”.

The Angel wings embossed into the glass on either side of the label are a reference to the immortal quality of Angels, which by association, transfers this quality to the rum. The brass ring on the neck of the bottle is loose and after the bottle is opened can be removed. It represents the Angle’s halo which again is meant to associate the rum with the immortal quality of an Angel.

The presentation falls flat. The bold white lettering for “Inmortal” looks tacky rather than angelic, and the printing especially on that letter ‘m” doesn’t look as clean as it should. The removable halo seems an odd touch. Until I read the marketing report I had no idea why it was included. I wondered if it was supposed to be attached to the rim and had just fallen off. I also find the reference to angels somewhat baffling, as I have always felt rum to be more of a scoundrel’s libation than an angelic spirit.

I note the clear plastic seal over the wood topped cork adds to the lack of quality implied by the overall presentation. Although a twelve year old rum is certain a premium rum, the bottle and label make the spirit look mid tier at best when it is beside the other premium rums on my rum shelf.

In the Glass 9/10

Colour: Copper/bronze

Legs: Thickened

The nose reflects a drier style than most South American rums. Toffee and oak meld with vanilla and baking spices (cinnamon, allspice and clove). There is a indication of orange peel in the breezes which seems to be moving towards marmalade as it joins with the vanilla and the light sweetness of butterscotch. Hints of bitterness with treacle and dark chocolate notes evolve as well as nice nutty aromas of roasted walnuts and pecans.

Note: The empty glass after my tasting session just burst with deep brown sugar, vanilla and baking spice.  Yumm!

In the Mouth 54/60

The nose translates perfectly to the palate. Spicy toffee and caramel mixes with lush baking spices, and I am strongly reminded of cinnamon buns with that yummy cinnamon/brown sugar flavour melded together. Orange peel and sticky marmalade are both suggested, and under it all are wonderful flavours of dark chocolate and toasted pecan. I notice hints of coffee which adds to the rich character of the rum.

I found myself pouring a second glass after the first. Although the rum carries some spicy heat, it is easy to sip. More flavours keep evolving as I now taste hints of licorice and a light grassy menthol tobacco which adds even more to my enjoyment. It comes to mind that this is an almost perfect rum to enjoy as the base for an Old Fashioned Cocktail (see recipe below).

In the Throat 13.5/15

The finish is bittersweet with coffee and dark chocolate flavours moving through the exit. This is complimented by a lingering oaken spiciness which features glowing cinnamon and cloves. All of this causes the mouth to pucker and the hand to bring another sip to the mouth.

The Afterburn 9/10

Ron Inmortal 12 Year Old Rum is excellent! It is a drier rum than most from South America; but it is full of depth and character. Whereas those sweeter rums can become cloying, the Inmortal seems instead to create a longing for just one more sip. My only wish is that the bottle and label be improved upon. A rum with this much class and character deserves a much better presentation.

If you are interested in comparing more scores, here is a link to my other published Rum Reviews.

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Suggested Serving:

For my suggested serving I wanted to accentuate the evolving bittersweet chocolate flavours withing the spirit.

Rum Old Fashioned with Chocolate Bitters

2 oz Ron Inmortal 12 Year Old Rum
1 tsp Bols Triple Sec
2 dashes Fees Aztec Chocolate Bitters
Ice cubes
Twist of Orange Peel

Add the first three ingredients to a rocks glass over the ice cubes
Rub the cut edge of the orange peel over the rim of the glass and twist it over the drink. (This will release the oil from the orange zest into the drink)
Drop the peel into the cocktail if desired.

Please Enjoy Responsibly!

Note: If  you are interested in more of my original cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!

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My Final Score is out of 100 and you may (loosely) interpret the score 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)