Matusalem Platino
Review: Ron Matusalem Platino Rum 79.5/100
A review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
Posted on November 14, 2009
A new type of white rum is entering the marketplace. Using a combination of aging and filtering to remove the harsh bite associated with typical white rums, these rums are soft on the palate and long on finish. Allow me to introduce Ron Matusalem Platino, a rum which is, according to the Matusalem website, a blend of unique triple distilled rums, joined in a special process, filtered and refined to achieve a clean taste and subtle flavour.
In the Bottle 4.5/5
The rum presents itself in a clear white bottle displaying an almost crystal clear spirit. A handsome label adorns the bottle. The bottle is further adorned with an embossed bird in flight and and the wording “Spirit of Cuba” also embossed on the clear glass. I like the high density synthetic cork topper. I wish every manufacturer would switch to this cork style.
In the Glass 8/10
We have a clear spirit with a very shy, subdued nose. The aroma from the glass is faint butter and caramel, light candy, traces of mint, and a gentle sweep of vanilla. If we let the glass sit, the aromas will present themselves more forcefully, but upon adding ice to the glass…like shadows in the sunlight, they disappear.
In the Mouth 48/60
The rum is smooth and buttery but the flavour and the alcohol bite rest very deeply in the bottom of the delivery. The rum flavours and spices must be coaxed out to be appreciated. The intention of Ron Matusalem in creating this rum was to create a rum which could substitute for premium Vodka in mixing cocktails. In this regard I believe they have succeeded, as the rum, when mixed, almost disappears into whichever drink you are mixing just like vodka. But I ask myself, why? I prefer the rum flavours to assert themselves into a cocktail.
In the Throat 12/15
Super smooth and long on the finish. The problem is, in trying to discern exactly what flavour is given length. With such a subdued flavour profile the finish is for the most part wasted when the Platino is sipped neat. A saving grace is that the rum does provide a nice butter finish to the cocktails cocktail we are mixing.
The Afterburn 7/10
After various efforts with this rum, I found myself defeated by the Platino. The rum melts into cocktails leaving only a whisper of flavour and alcohol bite. It has no zip to impart, and its rum flavours want to melt away instead of aggressively coming forward. I realize that this was the intention of the crafters of the Platino Rum, but I guess I do not share their enthusiasm for this style of rum. I want a little wham in my drinks, and flavours other than juice in my cocktails, else why add the rum in the first place?
Of course if you like a gentle alcohol flavour this may suit you just fine.
If you are interested in comparing more scores, here is a link to my other published Rum Reviews.
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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)
The Rum Howler Blog 
SlowRain said
Hi. I enjoy reading your reviews. Your blog is a good research tool.
It’s been a few years since this review, how do you feel about this rum now? The reason I ask is because I live in an area with very little rum availability, and this is one of the few (Bacardi and Angostura are the other whites that are available here). How would something like this work for Mojitos, especially considering the vodka-like nature of it? And, how well do you think it would work for a Black Russian?
Arctic Wolf said
I have never tried it since the original review, so my opinion has not changed. I happen to like Vodka Mojitos and thus believe that the Platino with its laid back mellow flavour would work very well. In fact it would probably work well as a substitute for Vodka in most Vodka cocktails.
SlowRain said
Well, I bought a bottle, and I enjoyed my wee nip tonight. Very sweet and smooth, and I taste the vanilla quite clearly. The afterburn is more than what I’m used to, but it’s not unpleasant. Thanks. I’ll try mixing it and see how that goes.
robert kojalo said
This is the best and i mean the best rum ever!! I’ve been drinking the platino for 4yrs now,and I love it. Are any t-shirts made?
MIchael said
I bought the Ron Matusalem Platino for a trip to Casona, a local Cuban BYOB for Mojitos last year. My table of six emptied the bottle over dinner and and left the 10 Cane sitting in it’s paper bag under the table. Now I’m the designated rum guy whenever we go to Casona. As far as an inexpensive white rums go, Ron Matusalem is $14 in South Jersey, this stuff smokes the comparably priced Cruzan, Myers and Bacardi.
Cheers and off to my neighbors with a pitcher of Mojitos for the Superbowl,
Michael
forrest said
Nice job Chip.
i really like this rum.
Where i work it is only $10 or $11 which makes it impossible to deny!
The Platino Havana is a nice drink (a bit sweet for me– but i adjusted..)
Arctic Wolf said
Thanks forrest, I’m glad you stopped by for a visit.