Alto Grande 5 Year Puerto Rican Rum 5-Year

This is a fascinating rum that was given to me as a gift by a very close friend who is Puerto Rican. He says you can only buy it in Puerto Rico, and to date I have not seen it anywhere in the U.S. in person or online. When it comes to new rums, I am not about to turn down a gift from a close friend.

It seems to be made in the traditional Cuban style. It is made from molasses, distilled to a highish proof on a column still, and then aged in hand crafted oak barrels for 5 years onsite in the mountains of Puerto Rico. It is then diluted to 40% before bottling. It claims to be from a small master distiller who uses handcrafted oak barrels and not recharred ex-bourbon barrels.

Taking it in from the Glencairn (without dilution of any sort) I get Coca Cola, Haribo Cola Gummy Bears, Lime, Tirimisu, and a faint hint of banana. From the nose it literally smells like a Cuba Libre with the Coca Cola and Lime notes prominent. Yet underneath there lies a distinct Tirimisu scent with just the faintest hint of Banana.

Taking a sip…it tastes almost exactly how it smells. This is a Cuba Libre in a bottle. It leads with Coca Cola and Lime with that distinct rummy-ness. Just like taking a sip of a Cuba Libre with a strong pour of rum. Behind that very vivid presentation lies some Caramel Fudge and an oaky, tannic edge.

On the finish? Yep…Oak, Cola, Rum, and Lime. Simple, but powerful. Very much a statement. The creator of this rum seems to have loved Cuba Libres so much that he set out to create a rum that is basically a Cuba Libre in a bottle. To quote Cristina Aguilera, a “Message in a bottle” if you will. (Wait, is Cristina Aguilera, Puerto Rican? (/checks notes…nope she is Ecuadorian)

So this makes me naturally wonder. If I made a Cuba Libre with this “Cuba Libre in a bottle”, would Cuba be free? Or would it be a double negative and result in Cuba being free from being free? Deep thoughts, these.

I may have regressed.

Back to the rum. This is tasty enough to sip on, especially if you like the Cola, Rum, and Lime combination - which I do. It is a straight forward Cuban style, light bodied rum that knows exactly what it is aiming for. While the back end is a little harsh sipping it straight, it’s not a bad sip by any means.

And it does indeed mix quite excellently. Almost too excellently in fact. If you are looking for a super complex sip, this might not be your dram. But if you find yourself in Puerto Rico looking for a versatile bottle to have some fun with, this one checks a lot of fun boxes.

Country of Origin: Puerto Rico

Distillery: Club Caribe Distillery

ABV: 40%

Nose: Cola, Cola Gummy Bears, Lime, Tirimisu, faint Banana

Palate: Cola, Lime, Rum, Caramel Fudge, Oak

Finish: Oak, Cola, hint of Lime, (a bit harsh on throat)

Short Description: Cuba Libre in a bottle

Sharp oak, honey and some florals. Golden pour, sweet finish without much bitterness. Tried this in Rincon, Puerto Rico.