Angel's Share Title
Bacardi Gran Reserva Especial 16
In 2019 during a meeting with David Cid, Maestro de Ron for Bacardi rum, he introduced me to the company’s latest creation Bacardi 16. We discussed at length the challenges of making a rum this old with the tropical heat and the angel’s share taking their tolls on the liquid in the barrels. Together, the distillers and blenders combed through the racks to find the right barrels to create the desired flavor profile. After the barrels were selected, the liquid was shipped to the bottling facility in Jacksonville, Florida and bottled at 40% ABV in one-liter bottles. At first the rum was sold exclusively in travel retail areas, but recently it opened up in limited quantities for the retail market. I happened across a bottle in my travels and snatched it up so that I could share a review with you.
Bacardi Gran Reserva Especial 16
Appearance
The bottle is sold in a tube and unveiling the bottle reveals some of the darkest liquid you may have ever seen from the Bacardi portfolio. The bottle itself is in line with their portfolio’s older marks, such as their 8- and 10-year-old rums. The black and gold label provides some interesting details about the rum such as the youngest rum in the blend was barreled in 2003 and each one is individually numbered. The bottle for this review was number AB6703.
The wood cap is stamped with the Bacardi Bat and inscribed with the words “The worlds most awarded rum. Est. 1862” and holds a synthetic cork. I poured a small amount of liquid in my tasting glass and gave it a swirl. A thick band immediately formed and slowly released a wave of slow moving legs, and as the first wave was reaching the bottom of the glass a second wave dropped. This rum evaporated leaving a ring of pebbles and residue behind.
Nose
It is no surprise the aroma initially delivers a multi leveled range of charred oak tannins and vanilla. As these notes subside I discovered notes of banana flambé, berries, caramel, spices and custard in the mix. It vaguely reminds me of Bacardi 8 which in my mind totally works as the older incarnation of the Bacardi line. As the glass sits, the oak tannins and caramel notes really mix it up and there is a light acidity nipping the nose.
Palate
The first sip is a rush of alcohol, complex oak tannins, caramelized vanilla and stone fruit. Additional sips revealed the banana flambé, from the aroma, as well as cooked peaches, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, a bit of bitter carbon forms the baseline, but it only helps accent the deeper flavors in the spirit. As the rum begins to fade a light nuttiness evolves that reminds me of pecan pie. Finally, the wood tannins drift in along with some bitter mineral notes, char and acidity. The tannins dominate as the rum lingers on the tongue in a long pleasant finish.
Review
I believe my wife stated it best, after sipping the rum “That is definitely Bacardi”. All the markers are present and it definitely makes me think of the aged Bacardi products I have sampled over the years. I enjoyed sipping it and have had it in a Daiquiri and an Old Fashioned and liked it in both, but enjoyed the Old Fashioned the most. The flavor complexity and heavy wood notes may not be to everyone’s liking, but I enjoyed it because it was not 100% wood, there was more to it with the mix of fruit and spice notes in play. Saying all this, I realize that this rum will not be for everyone, but for me it fit perfectly in the current range of Bacardi products and met every expectation I had and I am glad that it is a little easier to find for those who want to add a fine Spanish style sipping rum to their bar.
