A small glass of El Dorado 12-year-old Rum by Demerara Distillers will waft the lucky sipper back to the days of sailing ships and sugar plantations, and perhaps some romantic pirates. Guyana has always produced rich rums, and this bottle is a fine example of what many of us would view as an adult and well-crafted spirit.
Demerara County is in Guyana in the Caribbean. Its history has been associated with growing sugar cane since the 17th century. It was the centre of the production of Heavy Mark British Navy rum, and it has continued the rum-making tradition into the 21st century. At one time over 300 sugar estates had their own distilleries. Today, Demerara Distillers operates the last remaining distillery in Guyana, at Plantation Diamond on the east bank of the Demerara River.
Entitled to a little more respect
Cocktails are trending, and many are made of rum, but that is mostly Spanish-style white rum. It does the job of the spirit element of a Cuba Libre very well. Don’t even think of using this El Dorado in such a libation. The more-than-a-decade of ageing indicates that this bottle is entitled to a little more respect. This is a Demerara sipping rum: nothing more needed apart from some ice, in my opinion.
El Dorado 12-year-old Rum is indeed a delicious rum of character. The bottle is squat and very much like the flasks of spirits available several centuries ago. It is gift-quality and would be the perfect rum for anyone who has a serious interest in spirits. It isn’t for mixing but rather for enjoying on a frosty night by the log fire while reading from a leather-bound volume by Robert Louis Stevenson. A rum with which to unwind.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: El Dorado 12-year-old Rum is a dark amber/ brown. Clear and clean.
On the nose: dried fruit, vanilla, caramel, Demerara sugar and toffee.
On the palate: luscious sweetness. Liquid Christmas-cake fruits and spices, with citrus hints and more vanilla and brown sugar. A mouth-filling medium-dry long finish. Well-balanced with complexity and warmth.
Learn more about Demerara Distillers and their products here