Roble Viejo Ultra Añejo Rum

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Roble Viejo Ultra Añejo Rum

Roble Viejo Ultra Añejo rum is produced in the Valles del Tuy region of Venezuela by the Rums of the Caribbean company, with distribution handled by Oliveira House. Created by award winning master rum maker, Giorgio Melis, the rum is aged for nine years in used 220 liter American Oak Barrels. The product is then blended to 80 proof and bottled.

Appearance/Presentation

The dark caramel rum is housed in a squared based Chilean made bottle. The pewter and silver raised label helps give the bottle a distinctive look that distinguishes it from other designs on the shelf. “Roble” in Spanish means “oak” and the oak tree logo appears on the metal label in the upper center of the bottle, the water mark on the back, and on the cap. The off white back label provides brief details about the rum along with the required Venezuelan legal information.

The bottle is enclosed with a plastic cap holding a real cork. The black and silver neck wrap secures the cap to the bottle and descends halfway down the neck. In the glass the rum maintains its dark hue and when I agitated the liquid I could clearly see the green halo around the edge of the liquid indicating this is an aged rum. The rum forms a solid ring around the glass with thick, quick moving legs that descend quickly down the side. The rings and legs cling to the side of the glass taking a few minutes to dissipate.

Nose

I poured the rum in the glass and a wash of oaky caramel emanated from it. I covered my snifter and let the rum’s aroma settle. When I removed the cover I discovered a lovely blend of oak, dark coffee, sweet vanilla bean, caramel and the faintest whiff of char.

Palate

Sipping the rum reminded me briefly of one of my favorite coffee drinks: Caramel Macchiato. The coffee, caramel and vanilla notes swirl in a pleasant flavor fusion centered around a bittersweet dark cocoa core. The rum dances around the edge further focusing the enjoyable flavor and silky feel of the liquid. The finish is long with a slightly acidic charred oak note that fades with the bitter-sweet cocoa note.

Review

At tastings I often state that the aroma is the promise the rum is making to the tongue. I have noticed with some of my favorite rums the aroma and flavor are a closely matched set with the flavor accented with some extra nuances. Roble Viejo Ultra Añejo is one of those rums. I enjoyed this rum as a sipper and if it was more readily available I would experiment with it in some classic cocktail recipes. However at this time it is only being sold in one duty free shop at the Simon Bolivar International airport in Venezuela. If you happen upon this product in your travels I suggest picking it up for yourself or for the rum lover in your life.

Review by Mr. Paul Senft:

Mr. Senft currently serves as owner of www.rumjourney.com.  He has a passion for rum and traveling.  He has dedicated himself to describing to his readers about his travels through the Caribbean Islands and writing rum reviews.  When he is not reviewing a rum, he is hard at work at trying different cocktail recipes.