Angel's Share Title
Don Q 151
My wife and I were walking the aisles of a local liquor store when we discovered Don Q 151. As someone who enjoys Tiki cocktails that have 151 rums as part of the recipes, I thought it would be worth picking up and reviewing to see what it offered compared to other 151 products in the marketplace. The rum is distilled from molasses in Ponce, Puerto Rico at the Serrallés distillery. All of the rums in the blend are aged a minimum of three years in used American white oak barrels before being blended to 75.5% ABV, bottled for distribution.
Appearance
The bottle is a standard 750 mL with a short neck and metal screw cap. Opening the bottle I discovered a flame arrester that did not interfere with pouring the rum in the tasting glass. The front label provides the basic information, while the back label actually provides safety instructions on how to handle this product around open flames and comes with a flammable liquid warning.
Don Q 151
The liquid has a dark amber color in the bottle and lightens to a bright amber gold color in the glass. Agitating the glass caused a thin band to form that quickly beaded up and evaporated before any legs could form.
Nose
I poured the rum in the glass and there was an immediate rush of caramel laden alcohol fumes. I let the glass sit for a few minutes and then revisited it to see what notes the aroma might provide. I was surprised at how fast the alcohol aroma had dispersed and discovered honeysuckle, vanilla, caramelized banana and nutmeg, with a small amount of char punctuating the experience.
Palate
As expected, the first sip delivered a heavy dose of slightly oily alcohol clearly indicating the proof of the rum. Additional sips revealed notes of sweet vanilla, flambéed berries (blueberry, strawberries, raspberries), nutmeg, cinnamon, and light astringent charred wood before a dry sweet fade lingered on the palate creating a longer than expected finish.
Review
When reviewing 151 rum products I expect to evaluate and navigate around the high alcohol level. What makes this product unique is once you get past the initial rush and sensory conditioning of the alcohol, there is actually a lot going on in the aroma and flavor profile. I particularly enjoyed the flambéed fruit notes balanced by the spice and wood flavors creating a surprisingly pleasant flavor profile. As far as cocktail usage, yes it will certainly set your Tiki concoction on fire if that is what you desire, but instead think about this product when a drink recipe calls for a half ounce 151 float in the ingredients and see what flavors it introduces and enhances in the drink.
As we know from previous reviews, my curiosity can lead to unpleasant experiences, but this time it paid off and I am happy with this product.
