El Dorado group

[angelsword]

Over the last few days I have been tasting and deepening my appreciation of the El Dorado group of rums... or at least the 4 of them that I have on hand right now. They are white, 12, 15, and 21.

I wanted some white as an expression of the source material before aging. Nothing special, very clean and dry, very light flavors. My first impression was to put it between the Cruzan and Flor de Cana white rums. But I plan to compare a group of white rums soon and will include this one.

The main event was amongst these dark 3. Surprisingly the 21 had the lightest flavor. Too much oxidation? Almost back towards a 5 to 8 yr old?

The 15 was significantly richer. My favorite... compared to... anything. My favorite spirits PERIOD.

The 12 was almost as good. In some aspects I like it better. But for me the downside was the extra sweetness.

[Count Silvio]

Have you tried the El Dorado Superior Dark Rum? It is a lower shelf product but its not too foul. I used it for cooking in the summer when I grilled banana and dark chocolate inside an aluminium wrapping. Delicious.

[Scottes]

After tasting the 15 and 21, I've gotten every other El Dorado I can get. White, Gold, 12, 15, 21, and the rum cream. One of these days I have to site down with them all like Angelsword did. It's sure to be a good night sipping these gems.

[Edward Hamilton]

Don't overlook the El Dorado 5 year old rum. It's a great mixing rum, it you aren't looking for vodka in a rum bottle.

Over the last few days I have been tasting and deepening my appreciation of the El Dorado group of rums... or at least the 4 of them that I have on hand right now. They are white, 12, 15, and 21.

I wanted some white as an expression of the source material before aging. Nothing special, very clean and dry, very light flavors.

The white rum you're tasting is only part of the blend which becomes the 12, 15 and other El Dorado rums.These aged rums, like many of the better molasses-based rums, are blends of light- and heavy-body rums. These white rums are comprised mostly of the lighter rums which are then aged and carbon-filtered to remove the color from aging. In the case of El Dorado the 15 is not the same blend as their 12 year old rum aged three more years, just as the 21 is not the same blend as the 12 or 15 aged longer.

Since the heavier rums in these blends need to be aged longer than the lighter rums in order to be palatable, it's a good thing that the white rums don't contain the same proportion of light and heavy rum that go into their white rum.

[Milicent]

Finally. I tried the unaged light and dark El Dorado rums a month or so ago, but it was only yesterday that I finally found the five and the 12 year olds.

After trying the five year old with a few drops of water and then mixing it in a punch, I've decided to reserve it for mixing. Thumbs up. The twelve year old is fantastic. I prefer sweeter rums, and I loved this. I'll keep my eyes open for the older varieties, but I am happy with what I've found so far.

I am glad I pay attention to the suggestions and recommendations here. I haven't been let down so far. These were just two more examples of good advice.

[angelsword]

Has anyone tasted the El Dorado 25yr???

[angelsword]

I picked up bottles of the Dark and the 5 yr. to see where they fit, and am pleased with both at initial tasting.

[Milicent]

The dark and 5 year old are both nice. I use both for mixed drinks but definitely like the 5 year old most. Depending on the subtlety of drink, I would use one rather than the other. All in all, I am impressed with the El Dorado line. I love, love, love the 12 (more than the 15) but can't wait to try the 21 and 25.

[emeraldsmoke]

I am partial to the 12 & 15. One of my very favorites.

[Edward Hamilton]

Has anyone tasted the El Dorado 25yr???
The 25 has more smoky oak flavor in the body and finish than the 21 and is a little drier than the 21 but well balanced without being sweeter.

[angelsword]

The 25 has more smoky oak flavor in the body and finish than the 21 and is a little drier than the 21 but well balanced without being sweeter.

How would you compare it to the 15?

[Paulipbartender]

Have you tried the El Dorado overproof?

The rich demerara fruit flavours and richness are held beautifully at 70% abv. IMHO El Dorado has the finest range of rums - especially if you have a sweet demerara tooth like mine!

[Hank Koestner]

I would usually post this under the rum and cigars thread, but I have said in the past the ED 15 is my "go to" rum for most full bodied cigars. Recently I have found that the 12 works very well also. Also, I found that allowing the 21 to sit in the glass for about 10 minutes before sipping really opens it up.
I really have to sit down and taste the 5, 12, 15, and 21 together. a blind tasting would really be great. I have 2 other new rums I need to taste first!!

[Troy]

The 25 has more smoky oak flavor in the body and finish than the 21 and is a little drier than the 21 but well balanced without being sweeter.

I haven't tried the 21 yet and can't compare the two. I have a glass of the 25 in front of me right now though and it's the smoothest rum I have ever tasted. The smoky flavor is a pleasure.

The 15 is still my favorite for a Ti Punch, but the 25 wins for sipping with just a touch of water or an ice cube.

[ejellest]

I recently picked up the El Dorado 5 for an Arrack Punch making experiment (http://underhill-lounge.flannestad.com/2008/06/29/underhill-punsch-tales-version/).

Fantastic rum and worked really well in the punch.

My only quibble would be that the cap is a bit poorly designed. It seems nearly impossible to get the tamper fringes (terminology?) off without leaving two jagged metal spikes on the cap.

My next quest is to track down their white rum for some daiquiri experiments.

~Erik

[RumBarPhilly]

My next quest is to track down their white rum for some daiquiri experiments.

~Erik

I just met Ian Lye, ED's brand ambassador to the US. Fascinating man, and a good Scrabble player to boot! Anyways, he explained to me that they are working on a new 3 year old white rum, which wont (dont quote me on this) replace their old white. It will be in the market to compete with rums like Tommy Bahama, Oronoco, Elements 8, and Montecristo. I believe a price tag of approx $23 is what theyre looking for.

Once we get the green light from the PLCB to carry their rums, Ill finally have an excuse to buy a bottle of the 25 year!

[Tiare]

I recently picked up the El Dorado 5 for an Arrack Punch making experiment (http://underhill-lounge.flannestad.com/2008/06/29/underhill-punsch-tales-version/).

Fantastic rum and worked really well in the punch.

~Erik

I`m almost ready for that punsch now..all i need to get is the tea..

[Michael]

Carl Kanto from ED mentioned the 3 year old white a few times previously, although he didn't say that it was intended to replace the younger white. We were unable, however, to get any firm statement as to intent to export to the U.S. The price point you mentioned sounds a bit high, but the intent to compete with Tommy Bahama, Elements 8, et al was not clear from his statements.

[Berbician]

The El Dorado 3 year old white is already on sale in London. I've tried it and it's quite good - similar to the unaged white but without the rough edges.

[Michael]

Thanks for the report Berbician. We trust that the 3 year old white will eventually make it to our shores. It sounds as if the unaged white was due for replacement.

How would you place with reference to other aged whites?

[El Dorado]

How would you place with reference to other aged whites?

I would not be able to compare the ED 3 years old with other aged white but what I can tell you is that it is taking the English market by storm. The feed back after the launching and the Bar 08 show is that it is on of the best white to grace the bar. It is smooth, soft, a little coconut - fruit flavour with a pretty dry finish on palate. On nose it is slight creamy, coconut with traces of chocolate and vanilla. When used in cocktails, unlike others where the rum tends to rush alittle ahead of your fruit flavours, the ED 3years stays and gives you a rounded cocktail with rum and fruit moving together.

[Count Silvio]

It isn't this one is it?: http://www.demrum.com/rums/elWhite.cfm
Do you happen to have a presspack that you could send me?

[El Dorado]

It isn't this one is it?: http://www.demrum.com/rums/elWhite.cfm
Do you happen to have a presspack that you could send me?

Sorry, the one refer to in the link is not the one. The one in the link is the old white rum. I'll try to get a release to put on the site.

[Berbician]

Thanks for the report Berbician. We trust that the 3 year old white will eventually make it to our shores. It sounds as if the unaged white was due for replacement.

How would you place with reference to other aged whites?

I won't be much help to you either, as most white rums don't have any age statement on the bottle, so I don't know if I've tasted any other aged whites.