Engenhos do Norte 970 Reserva

Tasted this rum with a good friend that bought it during a trip to Madeira which has a long tradition of making sugar and rum. The first Engenho (sugar mill) in Madeira is from 1452 and they produced sugar from sugar cane on the island until 1986. Rum from molasses has been distilled since the early 16th century and the first agricultural rum was produced in the mid 17th century. Nowadays there’s four distilleries on the island. The biggest one is Engenhos Do Norte. Established in 1927, and produces this brand among others. It’s distilled in Barbet copper columns whereafter it’s placed in French oak barrels for at least 6 years before blended, reduced and bottled. After what I’ve heard is it a very typical traditional Madeira rum.

Also an easy sipper from Madeira. Not quite as complex as the William Hinton but also great. A little too much tannin for me

A typical Madeira-style rum, which is as affordable in price as it is in taste. The nose opens with dried fruit (grapes), sugarcane, grass and a touch of walnut and honey. The wood is rather young, with more pronounced and softer spices (vanilla). A fairly classic but attractive profile. The attack is very round and mellow, with much more sweet notes than at first sight (honey, nougat, vanilla, sugar cane). The palate then develops fresher notes, followed by a spicier (pepper, vanilla) and fruitier (raisin) bent. The 40% dilution makes the whole a little flat, lacking a little fantasy. The finish is in the same key, of medium length and just as sweet. The vegetal influence makes itself felt, but a slightly roasted side on nuts and wood gives a little more appeal to this agricultural profile. While not an extraordinary rum, it does have the merit of introducing a new terroir at a very reasonable price.

A young Agricole from Madeira with many floral notes. Sugar cane/caramel, fruit, some wood, spices and a dry drinking experience.

Spirituosenzirkus 23.05.2025 Im Mund wie ein alter Agricole. Hat mir nicht geschmeckt.

Degusté au Spirits Days à Tournai, notes rapides : J'ai dégusté une version millesimée 2016. Nez : orange amere, menthol, plus rond que son petit frère. La canne est encore présente. Bouche : Le côté vineux n'est plus présent, mais les tanins sont là. Bref : plutot sympa, meme si très atypique.

Pretty nice but nothing special. I wouldn’t guess it was an Agricola by the nose but the finish leaves you in no doubt as it is strongly vegetal. Dried fruits, prunes, cloves and honey on the nose. Sweet, vegetal, salty, spice and peppery to taste. Vegetal finish.

Tasted at RhumFest, so tasting incomplete... A very (too) round rum with flat caramel/vanilla notes.

Deep robe. Sweet nose but not very complex. Sweet taste, easy to drink but lacking complexity in my view. Great « entry » rum at a good level

Relativ vielseitig angesichts des jungen Alters und vergleichsweise geringen Alkoholvolumens. Keine Offenbarung, aber bietet definitiv ein gutes PLV.

Delicious. Just what you need on your first evening in Madeira. Next stop, hiking then the distillery 😁🥃

Frisch fruchtig in der Nase sonst etwas platt, geschmacklich fruchtiger typischer Agricol aber mit etwas sprittiger Note

Tasted at GRF2025 Not my cup of tea. Agricole.

A hint of ethanol and more kick than was expecting for a 6 year old well regarded Madeira rhum. Still a little vegetal and rough around the edges which means it doesn’t quite work. Finish was more pleasant with Agricole style honey finish