Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva

Not terrible, but far, far too sweet.
It's thick with added sugar, leaves the glass all sticky when it's empty.
I'll pour this over a bowl of vanilla ice cream on a hot summer day, for that it would do well.
As a sipping rum, I'll always find something much more preferable.

15th July 2018

The leading food and wine magazine in Venezuela (Cocina & Vino) ranked recently the leading rums. As is to expect, being a Venezuelan publication, brands like Santa Teresa 1796 are listed. Diplomático is not mentioned. According to official measurements quoted on many rum review sites Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva has over 40 gms per litre of added sugar (equivalent of 10 teaspoons of added sugar). Also, lots of added vanillin etc. ST 1796 (as just one example) has 0 added sugar. Sure, each to his/her own taste. Just that, unless you take 3 or 4 sugars in your coffee, you may prefer a less additive-loaded rum.

20th June 2018

If the general population is introduced to the rum category this way then the taste is all that matters. To all the "purists" in the audience, instead of turning your nose up to the brand, you should move on to another rum.
Allow the rest of us to enjoy it neat or as a Negroni or Rum Manhattan, perhaps? Many bartenders who work in some of the best bars in the world would have to disagree with you. More likely than not, will you find one of those forest green bottles on their back bars. I am a former bartender and I can tell you, it's because guests love it. It's worth tasting and deciding for yourself. Full Disclosure. I now represent this brand among other spirit categories in the USA and am educated to do so. Happy drinking! #rum4all

29th April 2018

It's like drinking candy, this stuff has so much added sugar in it. As a well-informed UK rum site explains, "it’s simply not possible to get something this viscous and sticky from distillate and cask." All the added sugar and flavourings make this taste like a low level liqueur. Most of the quality rums reviewed on this site don't need to resort to these type of practices to create their flavor appeal.

8th March 2018

The nose when first opened was very pleasant the taste though was unexpected the nose was much much better than the taste. I am truly disappointed.

19th February 2018

Very tasty and the aroma just waters my mouth from the moment I pop the cork, if i had to choose just 1 Spirit to always have at hand this would be it.

28th January 2018

I think it&s safe to say that as of right now, after trying over 60 bottles of dark, gold and spiced rums, this is my number 1. Superb sipping rum at an affordable price.

26th November 2017

A fantastic rum, from a predominantly whisky drinker, this stuff is a cracking alternative. Best neat over ice but would go well with a splash of ginger

10th November 2017

Tastes more like a 30% liqueur than a 40% spirit. Lots of added sugar I would think.

13th June 2017

I am in complete agreement with the Supercallifragillistic reviewer - this is the world leader in the smooth & mellow rum category, with a gorgeous aroma & beautiful long finish. Ignore the puritanical comments about 'added sugar' and enjoy this exquisite drink.

22nd May 2017

Excelente Ron Venezolano, Melazas Muy Dulces, Chocolate Negro, Especies y Vainilla.

13th March 2017

A lot of people here appear to be labouring under a misconception that Rum must taste of burnt sugar to be classified as a Rum at all.

Rum was invented by Spanish settlers in the new world, trying to make Brandy without grapes. They used Sugar Cane Honey in place. British and French colonies used molasses instead, giving a much more burnt flavour.

The former Spanish colonies (such as Venezuela) still use the Sugar Cane Honey, giving you a much sweeter and far, far smoother experience for it. For my money, this is perhaps the best Rum in its price bracket in the world. Leave your prejudices of Rum at the door and enjoy it.

3rd March 2017

Have to agree with the previous comment. It's not rum as we know. It's rum plus a ton of sugar and other flavourings. I'm not going to say it doesn't taste nice - it does. Just know what you're buying here.

3rd March 2017

Utterly ridiculous. So much sugar added that I'm utterly amazed that they have the audacity to even call this a rum. Vote with your pocket and avoid this joke of a product.

12th January 2017

This is a pleasant drink, however it's taste is too good to be believed, if this wasn't artificially sweetened then it's the best rum ever, and at £35 that's very unlikely. Still I would recommend trying it, is very nice.

18th June 2016

Very enyoable mild round taste with long mild aftertaste.

20th April 2016

How much sugar are they adding to this??? Utterly ridiculous. Here's a tip - if you want to know how much sugar a rum producer is adding to their product, pour a bit into your palms and then rub them together. They shouldn't get sticky at all unless the producer is cheating and adding sugar (they won't call it "sugar", they'll reword it to make it sound like less of a cheat). Rub this crap in your hands and you'll barely be able to separate them!! Now try something like Flor de Cana - you'll notice the difference. This stuff WILL appeal to the masses because people like sweet spirits but it literally feels like drinking syrup!! Go and buy a proper rum instead - this stuff is pure rubbish.

14th March 2016

An excellent rum, smooth with a sweet aftertone,i have a collection of over 30 bottles of rum from all over the world and this is my favourite! Personally i dont find it too sweet atall, and is perfect neat over ice. Would also recommend El Dorado 15yo to those who enjoy a glass full of flavour without any harshness.

31st December 2015

Is my favorite among Venezuelan rums, its roundness and sweetness is exquisite, it does not have a strong character as Pampero Aniversario.

16th December 2015

This is current my favourite rum by a distance. It appears from the other reviews that the sweetness is an issue for some, but I have a bit of a sweet tooth and absolutely love this. I love a rum Old Fashioned and it is too sweet for that, but serve it neat or on the rocks and it's a perfect dessert rum. NOM!

13th September 2015

Having a glass as I write this. The nose is really sweet. Fresh vanilla, raisins, simple syrup. Its silky smooth on the pallet. Vanilla, raisins, ripe banana, molasses, maple syrup, and a touch of red pepper at the end. Great buy.

4th September 2015

Simply the best Rum I've ever tasted. Sweet, but in a good way - like Christmas Cake.......

22nd July 2015

If you are lover of rum, especially straight-up, then this is a must-try. As others mentioned it is a little sweet but not so much that it overpowers the natural rum flavours. This is a spicy rum with depth. It has a smooth, almost vanilla finish and leaves you wanting more. I would highly recommend this rum to everyone.

31st March 2015

To all the self acclaimed experts I say "shut the hell up" its about what you like and enjoy drinking. I like listening to Diana Krall but not everyone likes her. This is a sweet rum with spicy over tones, its lovely, if you like that sort of thing. in my opionion its a 10 star beaut

9th March 2015

Helou! They ALWAYS put some sugar to almost ALL Scothes, cognags, brandies and rums. That's common way to make these bottles. Bourbon is one where they don't need to do this, because they use new barrels. But those are very oaky, and that's one thing also.
Question is, is it always a bad thing to sweeten spirits? You cannot taste this rum without sweetening, maybe it's inferior spirit that way.

30th December 2014

but not impressed either

17th November 2014

This rum is sweet. I would personally say too sweet for an everyday rum, or as a best rum...but if you pull this out at a party and make someone a rum Old Fashioned with it, I think you will have a friend for life. This mixes really with sprit cocktails. It is sweet, different, and sometimes that is what you need after a hard week!

15th November 2014

This is going the way of any rums. Sugary and overpriced. £40 for this? Buy yourself a bottle of Wray and Nephew and mix it with sugar syrup and you'll have a much better rum than this. Awful.

12th November 2014

First time i tried it I was just getting into rum as a scotch drinker and I thought it was way too sweet sickeningly so. Drinking it now with a lot more rums under my belt while it is still sweet, its not overpowering it's just a very heavy style of rum. Vanilla, toffee, fudge, molasses, figs, prunes, dates, raisins, sultanas, marzipan, cinnamon, nutmeg, candied peel, mince pies. It's very rich and will be entirely alien to you as a whisky drinker, but give it a second chance to get past the sweetness and there's to love here.

23rd September 2014

This rum is simply beautiful, nuff said :-)

17th September 2014

As people have mentioned before, I would be INCREDIBLY surprised if this rum was not sweetened after the distillation process. It is sickly sweet, with an almost "gloopy" mouthfeel, which completely detracts from what could be a decent enough rum. I find the Reserva much more palatable - this is terrible!

16th September 2014

This is a shockingly sweet rum, and it seems flavoured too. Not my cuppa tea...Perhaps if you like Aspartame?

3rd August 2014

Wonderfully smooth, tantalizingly sweet. Possibly the best rum I've ever sampled.

23rd July 2014

Thought I'd try this little beauty for Xmas time and wasn't displeased. After tasting the Havana club Seleccion I didn't think I'd find another smooth rum. This one did just that. Highly recommend to any rum lover.

23rd December 2013

An OK venezuelan rum but if you can get hold of the Ron Santa Teresa range so much the better.
The 1796 is v good news & the RumOrange liqueur is the best kept secret of Edo. Aragua. Our UK family ruthlessly demands it!
Any problem - let me know as the owners are friends & not too far from Caracas.

13th December 2013

A sweet, flavoured rum.
This rum was recommended by my local store. Initially I loved its sweetness, but as my experience with rum increased I found that this rum was languishing at the back of the cupboard. I tried it again and it’s evident that it’s been artificially sweetened (as they mention on their website). It will always hold a soft spot for me as it got me into the world of sipping rums but not one I would revisit, though I will enjoy what I have left over after meals as it makes a lovely dessert rum! HI CAN YOU SEND ME THE LINK WHERE IT STATES THIS PLEASE...... I tried it again and it’s evident that it’s been artificially sweetened (as they mention on their website).

12th October 2013

I don't know whether to drink it, or pour it over vanilla ice cream. The snob in me wants to call it "children's rum" but that would be unfair. if you're a scotch drinker (which I assume most people are who frequent this website) looking for a change of pace for the summer, then you wont find complexity here but it is nice and sweet. You will find it however in the el dorado range, mount gay xo and appleton estate 12 yo, to name but a few.

16th July 2013

I am not a rum drinker until I had this last night. Amazing - hard to imagine Rum could be so delicious, smooth, exquisite, gentle on the pallet I'm a Huge fan now

5th July 2013

Deep, rich and extremely delicious flavours; I highly reccomend.

9th April 2013

A wonderfully smooth sipping rum; which one has found hard to beat!

28th March 2013

This rum was recommended by my local store. Initially I loved its sweetness, but as my experience with rum increased I found that this rum was languishing at the back of the cupboard. I tried it again and it’s evident that it’s been artificially sweetened (as they mention on their website). It will always hold a soft spot for me as it got me into the world of sipping rums but not one I would revisit, though I will enjoy what I have left over after meals as it makes a lovely dessert rum!

28th November 2012

I can't get away from not having a bottle, it's unique smooth taste is a lovely way to end the day. Beautiful.

17th October 2012

Nose: Sugary chocolate, like a piece of chocolate filled with rum
Mouth: Sweet, simple taste, a bit sharp/spicy

8th October 2012

Order one day delivered the next with normal delivery. Excellent service and a fine rum

29th May 2012

Still the best of the mainstream classic rums. Edges the Ron Zacapta 23 year old for satisfaction and is in essence the one we measure all other rums by

8th April 2012

bought for my 50th birthday - july 2011 - careful consumption - just finishing it march 2012. gorgeous

2nd March 2012

I was bought a bottle of this by my father for my birthday 3 years ago but I can still taste it now. Beautiful, soft and silky, Autumn leaves and dried fruits.

31st January 2012