Dictador Solera Ultra Premium Reserve 12-Year

Very thick, oily consistency, orange and brown sugar with great amount spice - just right. Long finish that lingers, but with the oil a little too long even with a splash of water.

My understanding of this 12 year rum is not that the oldest rum is 12 years rather this is some type of average (according to a Dictador rep) from rums between 8 and 14 years old. After all blending is said and done equals 12 years of age.

I just cracked open a 12 year old bottle after finding it in a local release with a great price and never actually seeing it in store before. This bottle came in a coaster box meaning just that... a half inch cardboard coaster. The bottle has a natural cork.

My initial thoughts here... Nosing nothing unexpected very subdued alcohol, coffee, cinnamon buns, vanilla, butterscotch, some fruit.

The tasting..

Very forward in the entire palate and back of the throat. After the initial blast which I consider to be a slight burn with slight spice near the end the flavors develop and is completely smooth by its exit. The initial entry is quite a surprise to me as is the burn for a 40% spirit. The main flavors I get are somewhat complex in their change from butterscotch, vanilla, dark chocolate, ending with a sweet caramel finish with forward distinct coffee flavor?

I find if I leave this one in the mouth too long before a swallow that the burn on the tongue is quite obvious and even so harsh that it destroys the flavors of the finish. Best swallow this one fast! Leaving it out to breath a good while helps to mellow this attribute.

The sweetness and coffee on the finish can be tasted for quite some time.

Great aroma with sweet notes that makes me think of dark maple syrup. The rum has good body and a medium sweetness. As indicated in the nose, the palette offers notes resemblent of dark maple syrup. This is supplemented by a little bit of barrel and coffee. The finish is overall smoothe and a tad dry. I find this rum to be slightly unique and good value. Cool bottle.

Tobacco, pecan fudge, caramel, fig... gut something is artificial tasting.

edited to add sugar test results- 0g Surprising

Quite possible single worse rum sampled. Spit it out in front of company rep. Such a disgusting flavor and extremely harsh. Begs the question "are you truly aged or chemically aged?"

You need to let it breathe a long before that turpentine odour settles and you can smell roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate, and molasses.
The taste is sweet, gentle, dark chocolate, (wall/hazel-)nuts, and cocoa, with a subtle bit acidic finish. As with every spirit made by the solera method, it's decent but missing character. Like, honestly, I would enjoy this more in some rum-based drink or with cola, where the flavours can cooperate, than sipping it straight.

Ein sanfter Rum mit 40% Alkohol der ohne Zucker auskommt, aber trotzdem auch für den Anfänger geeignet ist der mal Rum ohne Zucker probieren möchte. Bei mir hinterlässt er im Abgang immer einen leichten Geschmack von Lakritz

Honey and a little coffee, like some others have said. A hint of peat, maybe some smoke. Apricot. Like this a lot.

I am always very cautious when it comes to rums I can find in the commercial liquor stores. However I was pleasantly surprised with this one!

On the Nose: I smell Toffee and Caramel.

Taste: dried fruit mixed with toffee.

Aftertaste: when swallowed it goes down smooth with an after burn like a good cognac.

This rum has that unique identity and character I am looking for in my rums. Recommended!

Look, I like it. There are probably better Caribbean rums out there … I doubt I’ll go back to this; but it’s well worth supporting the beacon of Western success stories in an otherwise chaotic region. Cheers to that!