LVMH Cuba Ron S.A. Eminente Confrérie du Rhum x Excellence Rhum (Batch 2) 2012 10yr 55,5%

"So this is how a rum tastes that consists of 100% aguardiente (a first for a Cuban distillate, as far as I know). And indeed: Something comparable I had not yet in the glass. Blind I would not have been able to assign the rum at all. In this first tasting, I focused on finding differences between Batch 1 and Batch 2. And they are indeed there: While Batch 1 gets going right away fruity-floral on the nose, Batch 2 is clearly more timid, more discreet. On the palate, however, it's the other way around: Batch 1 tends to confirm the impression gained on the nose, coming across like a light rum in a summer meadow with a gentle breeze blowing over it. Batch 2 is different: While Batch 1 seems somehow slightly broad, Batch 2 is clearly more astringent and has more depth, more wood and tobacco. On the latter, one could perhaps recognize the Cuban DNA - but only maybe.Overall, both are solid rums and which one tastes more, is probably dependent on the day or what weight you attach to the olfactory impression. Because of the interesting transformation from the nose to the palate, Batch 2 is a point ahead for me today.As I said, a very exciting bottling of Excellence Rhum and La Confrérie du Rhum. But if one wanted to dare at least a geographical comparison: To the long-stored consistently exquisite 98s of Sanct Spíritus ((Cuba) reach both batches not yet."

"Weniger komplex als Batch 1. Für mich hat er einen Weinfass- oder Agricole-Einfluss. Wäre interessant zu wissen in welchem Fass er gelagert war. Aber auf jeden Fall deutlich besser als die üblichen Kubaner! Nach Info von Benoit: Bourbon Fässer die nochmal Whisky enthalten haben. 100% Aguardiente, also Rum der zu 70% distilliert wird (wie viele Agricoles auch)."

"Belly 2 has significantly less fruitiness to offer. Overall, however, it is much quicker on the nose. Again, I don't really know what to do with it. But of course very exciting to try. Overall, a small upgrade of both batches."

"Wundervolle Nase, hat tatsächlich etwas von den Noten die ich am Havana 3 mag, nur stärker. Vom Geschmack her begeistert er mich aber weniger. Ist eine ganz nette Holz-Tabak-Mischung, viel mehr aber auch nicht. Der Abgang ist auch eher unspektakulär."

"Original but a little nauseating and unbalanced. A pity..."

"No, jsem příjemně překvapen. Cubánske rumy nepatří mezi mé favority díky jemnějším chutím z vytěžených sudů. Tohle je ale něco jiného. Alkoholovost přidala plnější chutě, možná i sud byl novější a je krásně cítit tabák a dřevo. Rozhodně to pro mne bude patřit mezi to lepší z kubánské produkce."