One thing I like to do when I get paid is periodically browse the “Today’s Deals” section on Amazon in the booze department which usually results in me ending up with a rum bottle that I can’t find anything about when I want to write about it, so I just describe the irony in it to fill up the review. That would be the Anacaona, a rum blend from Dominican Republic bottled by the French company, Odevie Creative Spirits.
The offerings in the range, called Island Signature Collection, are described as being “Grand Crus” from different islands (Mauritius, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Guatemala) showcasing the uniqueness of their original land while being blended and crafted in France.
Anacaona was a Taino cacique (chief), religious expert and poet that was born in Xaragua, Dominican Republic in 1474 before Columbus’ arrival. According to their website the branding for this bottle is inspired by her memory, as she was renowned for her beauty, ballads and poetic creativity.
As I mentioned, I do not have much information besides what’s on the label, not for the lack of trying. The rums in the blend hail from Dominican Republic, more exactly from Santo Domingo, the capital city. Google search doesn’t show any rum distillery operating there, but it does show Casa Brugal, some kind of headquarters for Brugal rum, so I’ll assume that the rum in the bottle is made by them – if anyone has other/more information please get in touch with me.
So molasses based, multi-column still distilled and aged for an unspecified amount of time in ex-Bourbon casks. Bottled at 40% ABV with no information regarding adulteration.
On the nose it feels pretty light and fruity. Candied banana, mango, strawberry, raisins, orange, pineapple juice and prunes. Sweet tobacco, biscuits, cinnamon, vanilla, ginger and leather. Sweet and tropical.
On the palate it feels sugared. Mango puree, bananas, melon, tobacco and oak spices. Honey, toffee, vanilla and cayenne pepper. It’s pretty one-dimensional unfortunately, the nose on it was better. The finish is short with caramel and caster sugar.
noun: grand cru; plural noun: grands crus
(chiefly in French official classifications) a wine of the most superior grade, or the vineyard which produces it.”there are seventeen villages in Champagne officially rated at grand cru status”
A French company that adds sweeteners to their rums making them boring, yet talk about terroir and call their bottlings “Grand Crus” – the irony! It’s easy to drink and could be worse in terms of sweetness, but it has little character to it and I’m not a fan.
Can be found on Amazon or Master of Malt at £35 which is more than I’d pay for this.
Island Signature Rum Anacaona Gran Reserva Santo Domingo Rum score:
Flavour/taste: 37/70
Value for money: 7/15
Transparency/purity: 6/15
Overall: 50/100
Cheers!