Angel's Share Title
Comprised of a blend of rums from the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Panama, and Trinidad, Bombarda Falconet Midnight Battle Edition commemorates the rare nighttime maritime battles that occurred during the exploration. No details are provided about the origins of the rum other than their country of origin, that they are aged in used bourbon oak barrels, and that the blend is comprised of rums between eight and fifteen years old and blended to 43% ABV. The company does not use any additives, sugar, or caramel when they blend this rum.
Appearance
The 750 ml bottle is wrapped with a black opaque covering with small labels that provide the basic details about the rum. The plastic cap is held to the bottle with a clear security wrap and holds a synthetic cork. A note about the bottle design: like all the others in the Bombarda line, it is designed to look like a cannon. It has a wide mouth that can make it difficult to do a controlled pour and, in fairness to bartenders, is a bit unwieldy with its weight and balance. Pouring the rum in the glass reveals a dark golden amber rum. Agitating the liquid creates a thin band that slowly thickens and releases a single wave of slow-moving legs. The band slowly evaporates, leaving a ring of residue around the glass.
Nose
Pouring the rum releases a strong vanilla aroma that takes a few minutes to settle. Revisiting the glass, I discovered notes of mint, ethanol, cola, grilled fruit, raisins, roasted nuts, and wood spices.
Palate
The first sip of the rum delivers the vanilla note from the aroma front and center with a warming nip of alcohol. Additional sips revealed notes of roasted nuts, raisins, grilled pineapple, sweet melon, cinnamon, butterscotch, allspice, and charred oak. As the rum begins to fade, it drifts into a long, sweet caramel and smoky wood finish.
Review
I was not sure what to expect with this rum, but I think the blender did an excellent job of presenting a well-balanced rum with the perfect proof to let the flavors come out and be savored. An enjoyable sipping rum, it could do well in a wide range of cocktails with the arsenal of flavors it delivers in its flavor profile. Moderately priced, it falls in line with other 8-year-old rums and delivers with its balanced complexity.
