Puerto Angel Amber Rum
Released in 2015, Puerto Angel Amber rum is produced in the Oaxaca mountainous region of Mexico using fresh pressed sugar cane. To make the product, they ferment the juice of locally grown sugar cane with wild yeast, then distill it in a copper pot still. The rum is then aged for three years in used American Oak bourbon barrels in the high altitudes of the region. After aging the product, it then blended to 80 proof using local water. Because of the rigorous production standards of the distiller y this rum has earned the USDA Organic Certification label.
Appearance/Presentation
Like the Blanco expression of the line, the amber release is in a tall frosted 750 ml bottle sealed with a synthetic cork. The rum has a straw color that lightens slightly from bottle to glass. Agitating the liquid created a thin line around the glass which spun off thin legs. Both the band and legs evaporated quickly, leaving beads in their wake.
Nose
On the nose I detected notes of caramel, ethyl alcohol, sweet grass, black pepper, toasted almonds, baking spices and minerals reminding me of some wine aromas.
Palate
The rum hits the palate with a pop of brown sugar and vanilla, with a touch of honey. These lighter flavors are immediately followed up by cantaloupe, baking spice and black pepper. After the pop of pepper, the alcohol and oak tannins really come out introducing some light mineral notes to the profile. These mineral notes transition to a charred oak and lightly acidic finish.
Review
Puerto Angel Amber rum has some interesting dynamics for a three year old spirit. Created with the same production methods as rhum agricoles; this rum has a lot of characteristics that remind me more of some Cachaças I have experienced. Unlike the Blanco, this rum is not for sipping. The wood tannins introduced during aging provide a fiery rawness that makes it a much better cocktail ingredient. When experimenting with it for cocktail creation, definitely consider it for prohibition era cocktails and cola-based drinks.
-Rum Review by Mr. Paul Senft-
Mr. Paul Senft, rum reviewer for "Got Rum?" magazine.
Paul Senft Rum Judging
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 world market. Hopefully my tasting notes will inspire you to tr y the rums and make your own opinions. The world is full of good rums and the journey is always best experienced with others. Cheers!