As per my previous review, this is another new rum brand that is owned by a Scotch whisky company. The Ron Larimar brand is owned by Angus Dundee Distillers – who also own the Tomintoul and Glencadam distilleries. According to their website, “Angus Dundeee Distillers has over 60 years of experience in distilling, bottling and exporting Scotch Whisky products and other spirits around the world.” – I’m curious to see how that experience translates into their Larimar rum brand.
Larimar is named after a rare stone, or according to Wikipedia, a rare blue variety of the silicate mineral pectolite that can only be found in the Dominican Republic – based on that information, where do you think the rum comes from? Exactly, Ron Larimar sources aged rums from the Dominican Republic which then they finish in various casks. The range so far has 4 expressions all aged for 5 years and finished in 4 different types of barrels: Bourbon, Peated Single Malt, Oloroso Sherry and Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks.
My bottle is the Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish which used Oloroso Sherry butts from Andalucia, Spain. No distillery is mentioned and I have no information regarding the finish period, so I guess that’s it.
Molasses or cane juice based (DR has distilleries that can se either), multi-column distilled, aged in the Dominican Republic in ex-Bourbon casks and moved to Scotland for the Oloroso Sherry cask finish bringing it up to a total of 5 years spent in oak. Bottled at 40% ABV and given that it comes from a Scotch producer, I’ll assume it doesn’t have sweeteners.
On the nose it feels fruity and bright. Green apples, white grapes, mango and banana. Canned prunes, caramel and vanilla. Raisins and dried figs. Strawberry jam, tobacco, polished furniture and candle wax. Although the aromas are quite subtle, it has potential.
On the palate it becomes spicy and woody. Dark chocolate, cloves, ginger, cinnamon and black pepper. Ripe bananas, pears, tobacco and old leather. I feel like the Oloroso influence gave it a slight acidity/tartness. Lemon zest and sour cherries with hints of passion fruit. Charred oak and toffee. The finish is medium with dark chocolate and a slight smokiness.
This isn’t bad at all, I enjoy the oaky profile and spiciness with a touch of fruitiness and acidity from the Oloroso cask. Would Ron Larimar over most of the stuff from Dominican Republic and it’s quite accessible at £30 (Master of Malt).
Ron Larimar Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish score:
Flavour/taste: 47/70
Value for money: 14/15
Transparency/purity: 12/15
Overall: 73/100
Cheers!
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