Ron Roble is no new rum brand, I already tasted theirs rums in past. 2020 version of this calendar had their Roble Viejo Maestro, two years before that we had in tasting bottle of the Ultra Añejo. So now, thanks to this opportunity, I am tasting Ultra Añejo again after 5 years.
This brand comes from Venezuela, where four friends wanted to make venezualan rum better. Rum is made from mollasses, which comes from central venezualan sugar cane from Yaracuy. Fermentation is controlled, special yeast is involved. After that it is disstiled on five column distillation device which could go up to 95 % ABV. Aging of rums is tradional and done in oak barrels. They are left untouched and not poured together during aging.
I can see four Roble rums offered, basic Ron Roble Viejo Maestro, 8 to 12 years old Ron Roble Viejo Extra Añejo and premium Roble Viejo Ultra Añejo. Fourth rum is Ron Roble Viejo Zafra, limited edition of 15 years old rums from only 10 casks.
Ultra Añejo is single vintage rum, every bottle has rums from only one year. It is aged for 12 years in bourbon casks or in PX sherry cask. Finally is blended and dilluted to 40 % ABV. In my notes from 5 years ago I wrote that 3 types of casks were used, third ones being french oak cask. Those are probably no longer used.
Nose is typical spanish rum style, with chocolate, caramel and little bit of coffee. Next there are some hints of cocoa and sweet wine. In time, I got also some fruit, its like strong and juicy fruits with caramel. But there is still that chocolate. Smell is lighter but pleasantly full.
Taste is quite full and little bit juicy, it is very smooth. There are definitelly some dried fruits and sweet chocolate, there are also tones of caramel and pralines. There are some additional notes of coffee, spices and wine present too. Kind of reminds me of mulled wine. After that, there is lots of fruity taste showing, juicy and little bit bitter fruit. There is lots of caramel too, but its not sweet, more like with hints of dryness. There is also some dry cocoa and wood hiding somewhere. Generally, the taste is quite full for 40 % ABV rum.
There are no surprises in the finish, it is full of nougat, caramel, pralines, sweet wine and dried fruits. There is also hint of sweet woodiness. The aftertase is suprisingly strong, its long and sweet. I can tase strong hot cocoa with some spiciness and woodiness.
This is spanish type rum, watered down rum of more mainstream and tradicional style. But here, it is not problem because this rum is not bad and is not boring (as some of these can be). This rum is highly drinkable and very pleasant. There is enough of taste and is at least interesting so it would not be left behind in its own category. So overall good rum of traditional style.
