Categories
Flora De Cana Grand Reserve Rum
Rum is probably my favourite spirit. It has so many variations and flavours that you could spend a life time exploring it. It can be enjoyed straight out of the still or aged for as long as any other spirit with all the benefits. It's also not as pretensions as the whisky crowds, well for now anyway. As rum becomes more popular and softens that “kill devil” nickname, people will gravitate towards rum for more than a rum and Coke or a random tiki drink. With that, I will embark upon reviewing my growing rum collection. The first review will be of a rum I've had for a while, but didn't pay much attention too; Flora De Cana Grand Reserve 7 year old Nicaraguan rum.
Nicaragua, to many people it is not quite a Mecca of rum. But don’t let that fool you, Flora De Cana is the main exporter of rum from Nicaragua and they are making a number of well crafted rums. Only in the last decade has Flora De Cana been exporting rum outside of Central America. They currently have two white rums, one aged for 4 years and then they have a number of amber rums that range in age from 4 years to 21 years. Flora De Cana was the first rum company to be ISO 900 certified, so quality is a concern for them, which is good for you.
Flora De Cana Tasting Notes:
Appearance: Bright mahogany brown colour. Very nice colour.
Nose: Light and smooth with characteristic rum aroma. No harsh alcohol. After letting it open up a bit, you get more of the oak aromas of vanilla.
Palate: Dry and spicy, with wood flavours. None of that overpowering molasses and vanilla that other rums seem to have. Very smooth with a slightly warm, slightly spicy finish. Has an astringency to it. After allowing the Flora De Cana Grand Reserve to open up, you can get some subtle vanilla and burnt caramel flavours.
This rum is much drier in nature than something like Bacardi 8 or Appletons offerings. It also doesn’t have that smokiness that Havana Club 7 Year does. The dryness makes it a good sipping rum, just add a small ice cube, or it can be used in a cocktail or tiki drink that you want to ease up on the sweetness.
Honestly, I like rum in a lot of drinks, but occasionally I get a craving for a good rum and Coke and the Flora De Cana Grand Reserve, with it’s dry nature, goes really well. But because Flora De Cana is fairly light in flavour, you need to go easy on the Coke, so pack the glass full of ice and add just a splash of Coke.
Flora De Cana Grand Reserve is a fine rum that seems close to whisky in nature. It’s the lack of that heavy molasses sweetness, found in lesser rums, that makes this rum special. It isn’t as bold as a Jamaican rum (Appleton) not does it have the flavour profile of a Cuban or Demerara rum but it is one of those rums you should try.
Once I complete reviewing the rums in my collection, I’ll probably test them out in a Mai Tai show down. Stay tuned.
112 Comments on Flora De Cana Grand Reserve Rum
Leave a Comment
Rum is one spirit with which I'm not very familiar. I'd welcome more rum reviews to help separate the good from the not so good. I'd love to find a good rum to drink straight. Being a fan of good whiskey, the Flora De Cana sounds very interesting.
I hate you Darcy. :)
I'm sure my comment on the havana club post will start the same ...
I don't have access, or hope of access, to any of this lusty stuff. You're making rum and cokes with it - amazing.
Have you had their light variety?
I think Coke is one of the great mixers, people just over do it and don't expand their minds with other cocktails.
I haven't tried the light rums from Flora De Cana yet. I could spend a fortune in the liquor store, so I ration my purchases. Then I make a few cocktails, get bored of said spirit and make a new purchase.
Darcy
flora de cana is a good rum, the 21 year is splendid but if you are looking for a great rum then i would suggest zaya it is a 12 year rum that has so many different looks its exiting! straight up from bottle has a scotch kick but hand warmed turns more mellow,add rocks and yet again another fantastic look for this rum, add coke you may aswell drink cruzan !
I've just recently discovered your site. I don't remember which rum I was looking into that led my here, but your comments re Flor de Cana are one of the many reasons why I've returned. I also appreciated your comments about Coke as a great mixer. The pseudo-connoisseurs who get snooty about mixing any of the finer spirits get on my nerves.
I appreciate your knowledge, experience, and interest in the subject matter. Keep up the great work.
By the way, Flor de Cana's 4-year old Gold is a wonderful mixer alongside the Gran Reserva. The 18-year is better than the 21 (N.B. the 21 is not 21 years old. The 21 only refers to the 21st century. Stick to the 18 and get better rum for a much better price.)
Salud!
I bought the Flora De Cana 5 year at the duty free when I was visiting Costa Rica. When I brought it back to share with my friends, who are big scotch drinks, we immediately noticed that it was at a caliber of a single malt scotch. I couldn't imagine what the 18 year would be like. I will try the 7 year next, and work my way up.
I have some 4yr old Gold, and it is quite pleasant in Coke. At only 35%ABV, it's easier to drink, and I find the taste incredible.
A friend's wife is from Honduras and she brought back a couple bottles of this wonderful rum. Great stuff !
I just returned from a cruise and bought some Flora De Cana in Cozumel. I am a Rum drinker and was pleasently surprised at the taste and quality of the Rum. I will be buying more when these two bottles are empty. You are right it mixes perfectly with Cola.
Tip- Buy this at the duty free on the Nicaraguan/ Costa Rican border. $8 for a litre of the Flora De Cana grand reserve 7 year old! I love this stuff.
Good easy rum for the summer/deck time. I have in my bar along with Capt Morgan, Gossling's & Lamb's. The Appleton is for less enjoyable guests
Sitting here in CR..........my thoughts turn to the 7yr w/ a splash of ginger ale.....one of the finest rums you will find.
I buy it on the border....what a deal!!
Pura Vida
I have just returned from a 3month stint in Nicaragua, most notably on LIttle Corn Island and enjoyed every type of Flora de cana rum on offer but my favourite is definitely the 7yr amber. Does anyone know how or where I can buy it in the UK!!?? I have only seen it in one bar in London but have no idea of buying it online etc..... it seems impossible!!
Any suggestions would be greatly received.
T