"Got Rum?" Magazine
Facundo Neo Silver Rum
Paul Senft reviews Facundo Neo Silver Rum in the "Angel's Share" section of the 2015 March issue of "Got Rum?" magazine.
Facundo Neo Silver Rum
Facundo Neo Silver rum is the first of a line of premium rums commissioned by Facundo L. Bacardi. Through much trial and error the rum line was created by Bacardi’s Maestros de Ron Manny Oliver and Global Master Blender Jose Gomez. The rum is aged in American Oak barrels in the Bahamas then shipped to Tultitlán, Mexico where it is blended to 80 proof and bottled for export.
Neo is a blend of rums between one and eight years old. The rums are filtered using activated charcoal to remove the color without affecting any of the flavor nuances of the spirit.
Appearance/Presentation
The decanter shaped bottle features an eye catching raised design of sirens that are reminiscent of artwork at the original Bacardi offices in Cuba. The black and silver front and back labels display details about the rum. The synthetic cork is held in the bottle by a metal embossed cap. A clear plastic wrap envelops the cap and neck with a pull away strip. A black and silver security strip wrap the cap and descend down the neck.
I have noticed a trend in blonde rums having high levels of particle suspension in the liquid. This rum, on the other hand, shows no sign of particles in the liquid and is faintly blonde in hue in the bottle. In the glass, the liquid loses the blonde hue but is not crystal clear either. Swirling the liquid created a thin band which spun off fast moving thick legs, then a second set of legs formed and descended slowly down the glass. In a matter of minutes the ring beaded up and each pear l of liquid descended down the glass.
Nose
The rum has a striking floral aroma with a hint of citrus tingling around the edges. As the floral and citrus subsides, additional notes of sweet vanilla, nutty oak, minerals and light esters round out the experience.
Palate
My first sip reveals the citrus notes that I detected from the aroma, followed by a balance of vanilla, banana, and coconut. These flavors transition to roasted toffee with a bite of alcohol that fades into a slightly acidic finish.
Review
Facundo Neo is a bottle full of surprises. From the floral aromatics to the balanced flavor profile, this rum stands out. These flavors hint at how to best use the rum. I crafted a simple daiquiri and found that the citrus and fruit notes from the rum created a more robust cocktail. Sip it neat or mix it in your favorite cocktail, the rum can easily be savored either way.
-Review by Paul Senft-
My name is Paul Senft - Rum Reviewer, Tasting host, Judge and Writer. My exploration of Rums began by learning to craft Tiki cocktails for friends. I quickly learned that not all rums are created equally and that the uniqueness of the spirit can be as varied as the locales they are from. This inspired me to travel with my wife around the Caribbean, Central America, and United States visiting distilleries and learning about how each one creates their rums. I have also had the pleasure of learning from bar tenders, brand ambassadors, and other enthusiasts from around the world; each one providing their own unique point of view, adding another chapter to the modern story of rum.
The desire to share this information led me to create www.RumJourney.com where I share my experiences and reviews in the hopes that I would inspire others in their own explorations. It is my wish in the pages of “Got Rum?” to be your host and provide you with my impressions of rums available in the wor ld market. Hopefully my tasting notes will inspire you to try the rums and make your own opinions. The world is full of good rums and the journey is always best experienced with others. Cheers!