Angel's Share Title
Don Q Reserva Añejo 7 Años
Recently Destilería Serrallés Inc. based in Ponce, Puerto Rico announced that they were releasing Don Q Reserva Añejo 7 Años as a new addition to their portfolio. Working with Silvia Santiago, Senior VP of Manufacturing, and Maestro Ronero Roberto Serrallés, Master Blender Jaiker Soto used a blend of light and heavy column still rums that had been aged a minimum of seven years in used American White Oak barrels to create this new 40% ABV product.
Don Q 7
Appearance
This rum is packaged in the new bottle design (created by the firm Stranger and Stranger) for the Don Q line with the labels displaying the new logo designs. What struck me most about the new design of the bottle and label is that they both, in their own ways, communicate the heritage and legacy of the 155 year old brand. The front and back labels are loaded with information about the product without inundating the consumer with useless marketing particulars muddying the facts.The rum has a pleasant copper amber color in the bottle and glass. Swirling the liquid creates a medium band that quickly releases some fast moving legs. As the band slowly thickens, it drops a few waves of slow moving legs before beading up.
Nose
The aroma leads with a strong caramel note, followed by cinnamon, nutmeg, cacao, toasted almonds, light hazelnut, dried apricots, raisins and honeyed figs. The aroma drifts and the tannins from the oak take over with light astringent char, sawdust and toasted bread.
Palate
Like the aroma, the first sip is caramel forward as the alcohol lights up the perimeter of the palate. The dried apricot, honey fig notes and oak tannins form a pleasant juxtaposition center palate. As the swirl of flavors settle, they transition and dark cacao notes manifest with cinnamon and nutmeg nipping the tip of the tongue, followed by cherry and raspberry notes followed by cooked green apples augmented by the spice notes. The toasted oak tannin adds a touch of bitter astringency as the flavors fade in a long pleasant finish.
Review
When we discuss tropically aged rums I tend to think of the seven to twelve year range as the sweet spot of maturation before the wood tannins really start taking over the flavor experience. Being familiar with the Don Q line I see this product as the missing link in the portfolio as it bridges the gap between the younger products and Gran Añejo. I would even go so far as to say some of the notes discovered during the nose and palate experience reminded me of those that can be found more evolved in Gran Añejo. Overall, I found this enjoyably complex with an interesting range of sensory experiences for the nose and palate. The fruit and spice dynamics were a pleasant surprise as the robustness of them differentiates them from other Don Q products. I enjoy sipping it neat, but plan on trying it out in different classic and tropical cocktails as I see a lot of potential with the versatility of the flavor profile. Overall great job by the Don Q team, this is a fine addition to the portfolio.
