barcelo imperial

[frenchrumlover]

i just bought a bottle of barcelo imperial today and i can t wait to open it when i finish work tonight.
i was just wondering if any of you guys knows how old this rum is
thanks

[Rum Runner]

I believe it's a blend of rums up to eight years old. The aroma and flavor profile would seem to bear that out to my taste.

[Michael]

The listing in this site's rum database states that Barcelo Imperial is:

" Brown rum distilled from molasses. Blend of rums aged up to 6 years in used whisky and bourbon barrels.
The premium rum from Barceló, I enjoy this smoky robust rum with a little water. This rum is aged at a relatively low strength and tastes older than six years."

It has become one of our favorite sipping rums with a balanced flavor and long finish.

[Michael]

Rum Runner,

You posted previously that:

"...
Imperial shows a good deal of barrel up front..and then a good dose of "rancio" which means rancid in Spanish, Which translates to oxidation.
..."

Would you please elaborate on the rancio taste as it may help clarify an element that is tasted in this rum (and some others)?

[Rum Runner]

Rum Runner,

You posted previously that:

"...
Imperial shows a good deal of barrel up front..and then a good dose of "rancio" which means rancid in Spanish, Which translates to oxidation.
..."

Would you please elaborate on the rancio taste as it may help clarify an element that is tasted in this rum (and some others)?

Hi Michael. Rancio is a term the Spanish often use to describe Sherries as well as Spanish brandies. The literal translation is "rancid", which I know does not translate well to English.

Over the years I had the chance to taste with, and question a number of producers as to what accounted for this flavor. I have also read many tasting notes by those much better than me who have described this flavor.

It seems to come mainly from the oxidation process that has occurred either naturally or has been induced in the ageing process.

Like the former US Supreme Court Judge who when asked to define "obscenity" replied "I can't define it, but I know it when I see it", such might be the case here. However I shall try to give a few examples which may be illustrative.

The following are my interpretations. I am not a chemist. I am open to other comments.

Oxidation happens when a product is exposed to air. The results can invoke (into spirits) certain flavors in small quantities that are found in foods that are oxidised.

Think of a cut apple, or peeled banana left out too long, or a knob of butter left on the kitchen counter too long. None of these smells or tastes on their own would be considered a positive. One considers them "rancid". Yet at the same time a small amount of this same thing happens to spirits in a manner controlled by the producer to lend a flavor which is pleasing and subtle and does lead one to a conclusion that there is some maturity to what one is imbibing.

At it's best it is a wonderful complexity to a drink, or it can be something gone very bad.

To experience "rancio" first hand may I suggest a good dry Spanish Amontillado or Oloroso Sherry. Lustau is a good source here. For a wonderful evocation of Spanish brandy with "rancio" I suggest one to pull out the stops with "Conde de Osborne" by that venerable house from Jerez de la Frontera, in a bottle designed by Dali..One of the few spirits which might just justify such a whimsical bottle.

[Duffman]

Dude, this is some wonderful stuff. One of my rum mules brought me back a bottle of this about 6 months ago, as it is not available (as far as I know) in Canada, and I give it high marks!!

[Rum Runner]

Dude, this is some wonderful stuff. One of my rum mules brought me back a bottle of this about 6 months ago, as it is not available (as far as I know) in Canada, and I give it high marks!!

There ya go Duff! Great to see B.C. here. I spent many a time crawling on my belly for steelhead on the Frazier.

[frenchrumlover]

thanks for your feedback guys and the tasting note are spot .
i tried it yesterday night , and it s really woody and smoky and definetly taste older than a 6 years old.
I love it

[Rum Runner]

thanks for your feedback guys and the tasting note are spot .
i tried it yesterday night , and it s really woody and smoky and definetly taste older than a 6 years old.
I love it

Glad to hear you enjoyed it. We did a tasting some time ago of the Barcelo' Rums available here. White, Dorado, Anejo, Gran Anejo, Imperial. It was nice to see a house style evolve up the ladder in a manner that seemed consistent and well thought out.

[angelsword]

Just bought a bottle of Barcelo Emperador. Very interested to see how it compares to the Imperial. I don't know how they are ranked by Barcelo.

[Rum Runner]

Just bought a bottle of Barcelo Emperador. Very interested to see how it compares to the Imperial. I don't know how they are ranked by Barcelo.

As far as I know that Emperador you bought is old stock. I believe Imperial replaced it. Emperador was more ephemeral IMO.

[frenchrumlover]

i never heard about the emperador .
i ll be really interested to know more about it if anyone knows:):)

[Paulipbartender]

I spent many a time crawling on my belly for steelhead on the Frazier.

Usually you can pick these things up but I can't for the life of me work out what that sentence possibly means. Please shed some light Rum Runner?

[angelsword]

Usually you can pick these things up but I can't for the life of me work out what that sentence possibly means.

Trout fishing in British Columbia.

[Paulipbartender]

Obviously :)

[Rum Runner]

Indeed, Fly fishing for Steelhead Trout. They are very wary and spook easily. So one would crawl along the riverbank quietly looking for them. They are a real challenge to catch.

[Duffman]

You're spot on RR. Those Steelies spoke pretty easily.

I'm pretty fortunate that after work during the summer me and some buddies can pack up and go camp on the river and get some big fish. Sockeye season is my favourite!

But there are times that I'd trade places with you so I could have access to a greater variety of rums. Don't get me wrong, we get a decent selection up here, but I hear about so many different rums on this site and I have no idea what they taste like. We had to have the "rum lady" from the local provincial liquor store order in a case of Flor de Cana 12 yr a month ago. But we have no access to agricole or many of the better rums.

Cheers and keep the rod tip up.

Duff

[JMac]

You're spot on RR. Those Steelies spoke pretty easily.

I'm pretty fortunate that after work during the summer me and some buddies can pack up and go camp on the river and get some big fish. Sockeye season is my favourite!

But there are times that I'd trade places with you so I could have access to a greater variety of rums. Don't get me wrong, we get a decent selection up here, but I hear about so many different rums on this site and I have no idea what they taste like. We had to have the "rum lady" from the local provincial liquor store order in a case of Flor de Cana 12 yr a month ago. But we have no access to agricole or many of the better rums.

Cheers and keep the rod tip up.

Duff

I second that sentiment....for variety I usually make a trip across the line to pick up something different.

Trout fishing is fun too except when your uncle yells "Bear!" and one winds up in the river....mmmmm Fraser river water.....

[Rum Runner]

I second that sentiment....for variety I usually make a trip across the line to pick up something different.

Trout fishing is fun too except when your uncle yells "Bear!" and one winds up in the river....mmmmm Fraser river water.....

I never did experience a bear on the Fraser..Though I wish I did in retrospect.

I discovered Steel head fishing on the Stillagaumish and Skyhomish in Washington State. I also discovered good rum there for the first time, although it came from a purveyor in Sacramento, California of all places.

I was drawn to the Fraser by the writings of Roderick Haig Brown..A seminal writer on Salmon and Steel head fishing in that area..My experiences there are remembered with fondness. As I remember we ate and drank well too.

[Duffman]

JMac, I asked the local rum lady about agricole, but so far no luck.

On your trips across the line, what kind of good stuff are you finding? And where are you finding it? Belingham? Or do you gotta go to Seattle.

Duff

[angelsword]

As far as I know that Emperador you bought is old stock. I believe Imperial replaced it. Emperador was more ephemeral IMO.

I tasted the 2 last night head to head. The Emperador is dark, rich, has the superior aroma, and is somewhat drier, smokier. The Imperial has more caramel notes, has a broader lighter flavor, and longer linger. The Emperador tastes far older and is really the better of the 2. But Imperial is still a winner, especially at its price point.

[Rum Runner]

I tasted the 2 last night head to head. The Emperador is dark, rich, has the superior aroma, and is somewhat drier, smokier. The Imperial has more caramel notes, has a broader lighter flavor, and longer linger. The Emperador tastes far older and is really the better of the 2. But Imperial is still a winner, especially at its price point.

When Emperador was on sale here it was $28.00 per bottle. The Imperial (which I love also) is selling for $17.00.

[bunnyhugs]

Here in the Dominican Republic I'm finding two Barcelo Imperials.

One is pretty widely distributed. It comes in a clear rectangular bottle, with a fairly contemporary design, no paper label, and 'Ron Barcelo Imperial' etched onto the glass in white. This one is the cheaper of the two (around $12-17 depending on where you buy it).

The other one you don't see very much. It comes in a squat round bottle with a slightly long neck, made from brown glass. The bottle has a paper label with an old fashioned design (i.e. vaguely 'heraldic' shield in the center of the design, with some kind of rampant animal above it - can't tell if it's a horse or a lion or what). The label reads "Ron Barcelo Imperial: Premium Blend". This one is more expensive (around $23-25 in the few places I've seen it).

Now which one are you guys talking about? Maybe the Emperador has been repackaged as the "Premium Blend"? Or maybe the "Premium Blend" is a new product put out to replace the Emperador?

So far I only tried the Barcelo Imperial. I enjoyed that a lot.

However, I picked up a bottle of the Premium Blend today. I will try it later. I am hoping for good things.

[RobertBurr]

there are still old bottles of Barcelo Imperial out there on shelves as you described them. The new bottle is much more impressive, suggesting fine cognac. As far as I know, the rum is the same.

[bunnyhugs]

Then I've been scammed. . . Damn.

When I first saw the 'premium blend' it was just a couple of bottles sitting in a corner - suggesting old packaging.

Then I came across shops stocking large numbers of both. I asked what the story was in several places and every shop had the same answer, that the 'premium blend' was a better version of the Imperial.

Just checked the bottling date on what I picked up today - 2004. I would have preferred the new bottle to be honest. The design is nicer.

[Rum Runner]

Then I've been scammed. . . Damn.

When I first saw the 'premium blend' it was just a couple of bottles sitting in a corner - suggesting old packaging.

Then I came across shops stocking large numbers of both. I asked what the story was in several places and every shop had the same answer, that the 'premium blend' was a better version of the Imperial.

Just checked the bottling date on what I picked up today - 2004. I would have preferred the new bottle to be honest. The design is nicer.

I'm very interested in hearing of your comparison of the "old" bottling of Imperial to the "new" one.

The price point of the new Imperial is considerably lower, and in a much more expensive piece of glass I would guess. I wonder if that old Imperial bottle is closer in taste to the old Emperador, which was quite a different blend.

[bunnyhugs]

Rumrunner, are you saying that the price of the Imperial came down simultaneously with it being repackaged?

Incidentally I also saw what I think was a Barcelo Imperial 25 anniversary edition or something in a gold tin (box?). It was priced at something like 4,400 pesos (US$130 or so). Judging from the shape of the tin the bottle design would be the old style (i.e. the round bottle). Maybe somebody also knows what that is? I should have taken a closer look at the blurb on the packaging. My Spanish isn't great though.

[Rum Runner]

Rumrunner, are you saying that the price of the Imperial came down simultaneously with it being repackaged?

Yes. That was my experience here in PR. Emperador was packaged in the very simple squat bottle and label at about US$28. I never saw Imperial in the old squat bottle here. When the "new" bottle arrived as "Imperial" it was, and still is, priced at just under US$17 here.