Pampero is a Venezuelan rum bottled in Italy. Dived as deep as I could on google, but couldn’t find as much info as I would’ve liked. Industrias Pampero Distillery was established in 1938 by Alejandro Hernandez and his friend. Pampero was the very first Venezuelan rum to be given the “Anejo” denomination by the Venezuelan government. Venezuela actually has a Designation Of Origin (DOC) for their rums since 2003 – the only information I could find about this is that Venezuelan rums have to be aged for at least 2 years in white oak casks, but I would like to find out more. Nowadays Industrias Pampero C.A. are a subsidiary of Diageo.
The name is a reference to the cowboy on the logo which is similar to a gaucho from the Argentinian planes, or Pampas, hence the name – “Pampero” means “from the Pampas”.
From what I could find Pampero’s “heavy rum” component, which ends up being blended with their own column distillates, hails from Destilerias Unidas S.A. (DUSA), the home of Diplomatico. DUSA is known for having a range of stills including column, pot and a -unique in rum production- batch kettle still. If anyone has more details about the production process please get in touch.
Pampero Anejo is molasses based, mostly or entirely column still distilled and aged for at least 2 years in ex-Bourbon and ex-Whisky casks in Venezuela. Bottled in Italy at 40% ABV and with no added sweeteners as far as I could gather.
On the nose feels quite gentle. Nutella, peanut butter, roasted coffee and cacao nibs. Chocolate dipped marshmallows and toffee, but not in a sickly way. Some ripe bananas, orange zest and vanilla. Reminds me of a Starbucks hot chocolate, it’s gentle and enjoyable.
On the palate the rum feels quite young. Charred oak with a pinch of smoke, vanilla and some golden syrup. Plenty of vanilla and caramel. Some milk chocolate, pencil shavings, a touch of nutmeg and peanuts. Has a “new furniture” vibe to it. The finish is short with vanilla and toffee.
Nothing crazy, although one of the better entry level rums out there. Pretty wood forward, but it has some nice chocolatey flavours to it and at £19 a bottle it makes a great “golden” rum for mixing.
Pampero Anejo Especial score:
Flavour/taste: 45/70
Value for money: 15/15
Transparency/purity: 12/15
Overall: 72/100
Cheers!
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