Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Diplomatico Batch Kettle No.1 and Barbet No.2 Rum Expressions


     A variety of distillates, with their distinctive aromas and taste profiles, characterizes Diplomático rums and allows Tito Cordero, the Maestros Roneros to create one-of-a-kind blends. The Distillery Collection, on the other hand, offers rum aficionados the opportunity to discover these single distillates in their purest form, featuring each rum’s individual personality.
    “While the Diplomático brand name has become familiar to lovers of fine dark spirits, few are aware of the history of the company behind the brand, Destilerías Unidas S.A. (DUSA). DUSA’s distillery was originally created in 1959 by local rum producers and Seagram’s International Ltd., at that time the largest distiller of alcoholic beverages in the world. We recognize that the rich distillation heritage left by Seagram’s is at the heart of Diplomático’s elaboration process today,” said José Rafael Ballesteros, Diplomático’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are excited that the Distillery Collection gives rum lovers the chance to explore the history and distillation know-how of Diplomático, and what goes in to making our rums so special.”at.
Batch Kettle Still at DUSA
    The Diplomatico Batch Kettle No. 1 is made in a Batch Kettle still that was brought to Diplomático’s distillery in 1959. This semi-artisanal batch distillation method was originally employed in Canada to produce American whisky. The distillate is made from sugar cane honeys, and is aged in American white oak barrels, resulting in a delicious medium-body and complex rum.
     Diplomatico, No. 1 and No. 2 are premium rums from Destilerías Unidas S.A. (DUSA) in Venezuela that are complex, sweet and well balanced.  It is one of those rums that makes it easy for a whiskey or bourbon drinker to switch to rum, often remarking afterwards “I had no Idea that rum could taste like this.”  
     The latest being the Distillery collection, a range of rums made with specific stills that produce decidedly different expressions.   The Diplomatico Barbet No. 2 expression is made in Barbet Column distillation system, originally created in France was also brought to the distillery in Venezuela also in 1959. The Barbet column is made of 100% copper, a type of metal that enables the elimination of undesirable sulphur compounds which form in the fermentation process. Aged in American white oak barrels and using high quality sugar cane molasses, the Barbet Column system produces a distillate with a strong fruity profile.
These new rums are much less sweet that the Exclusiva and other Diplomatico expressions, but very drinkable like all of the other Diplomatico rums.