Don Q Gran Añejo

 
Don Q has been produced in Puerto Rico since 1932 in a distillery started in 1865 by the Serrallés family. Aiming for mid-market, some interesting rums have appeared, nonetheless. The Gran Añejo is one of those: a blend of rums between 3 and 12 years of age, intended for sipping, I presume, but at a reasonable cost for including in cocktails, too.

Nose: initial alcohol fading to must, wood, cane, honey, banana, caramel, Tahitian vanilla bean and nutmeg.

Taste: honey, sugar cane, sweet fruitiness with some banana and papaya, a bit earthy and woody, with a fairly chewy mouth feel, lots of caramel, some taffy, nutmeg, allspice and cinnamon.

Finish: noticeably dry and woody, brown sugar and caramel, warm and lingering

This is a nice añejo rum. I prefer sipping it, personally. It would add some nice character to some typical Tiki and other drinks with dark rum, and it’s off-dry finish might take a bit of the sweet off of some too often sugary Tiki concoctions.

Don Q Gran Añejo (Destilería Serrallés, Ponce, Puerto Rico) 80 proof, $65

Sample provided by Don Q.