Together with Excellence Rhum, La Confrèrie du Rhum released two Cuban Rums from Eminente (Cuba Ron S.A.) at an elevated strength of 55,5%, which naturally sparked our curiosity. What is more Wu Dram Clan joined the party with a 31YO from 1992, which spent basically two thirds of its live in the tropics, making this a tasting session we do not get every day.

Eminente 2012 10YO “Excellence Rhum & La Confrérie du Rhum” Batch 1 (55,5%): I have to admit, I never managed to taste the standard Eminentes, but why not simply start with the (on paper) more promising alternatives!? Nose: Very aromatic with tobacco, mint and even some glue and shoe polish. I am also getting some Cognac-like vibes here. After a while, notes of orange peel, fresh apple and vanilla enter the mix. I must say that this is extremely promising. Palate: This mix of tobacco and mint is the first thing I get, followed immediately by sandalwood, dark chocolate and shoe polish. A certain note of green grapes, which must be related to the Cognac from the nose, creates familiarity and clearly tells us that this is indeed a Cuban Rum. Finish: A mix of wood, mint and tobacco, paired with chocolate and espresso here and there. A fun Rum, which isn’t the ‘easy sipper’ it wants to make you believe at first. (81/100)

Eminente 2012 10YO “Excellence Rhum & La Confrérie du Rhum” Batch 2 (55,5%): I guess that this is simply a different composition of sister casks. Nose: Quite similar to Batch 1, albeit a bit more earthy and “grounded”, relatively speaking. I’d describe it as a shift away from the fresher, minty notes, towards burnt sugar, coffee and cocoa. Palate: Much drier, more astringent and woody than Batch 1, with a stronger emphasis on coffee, chocolate and wood. The casks have definitely been more active here and added a few spices such as pepper or allspice. The grapes make only a very brief appearance. All in all, it feels more mature but is certainly also less interesting if you ask me, which doesn’t mean that it isn’t good, however. Finish: Lots of wood and roasting aromas, joined by tobacco. It is almost as if there’s a reason that Batch 1 has been bottled first. (79/100)

Wu Dram Clan Cuba Rum 1992 31YO (50,7%): Word on the street is that this hails from Santiago de Cuba but I have no clue if that is accurate. Nose: Light, dry and sweet with raisins and concentrated dried fruits (think plum, cranberry, cherry perhaps) and there associated syrups. In that sense it is quite close to very old fortified wines. I kinda like this profile, even though it is very one-dimensional and not quite what we would call ‘rich’. After a while I am inclined to add notes of greek yoghurt and honey, but vanilla is definitely in there as well. Palate: Lighter than the nose suggested, and clearly more sour/ acidic. Also this astringency comes as a huge surprise. Once again I get raisins and this greek yoghurt and honey combination, but also lots of wood, fruit vinegar and and milk coffee. I don’t know, it just doesn’t do it for me. Finish: Dry, woody, somewhat acidic, and still sweet. An odd combination. I am sure that this one will have its fans, but this is a profile not uncommonly found in Armagnac as well, that I simply do not enjoy all that much. (76/100)

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