The Dictador Company was established in 1913. This 20-Year-Old bottling was distilled partly in copper pot alembics and partly in steel continuous column stills before being aged in a solera system. It was brought down to bottling strength with demineralized water drop by drop over a period of 28 days.

It was interesting to taste the 12 and 20-year-old releases from the Dictador distillery side by side. For us, the younger version showed a more aromatic personality and better overall length. It will be a question of personal taste as both are beautifully balanced examples worthy of any rum aficionado’s attention.

Tasting note:Deep polished copper appearance with some sediment evident. Opens with a soft, sensuous bouquet that includes notes of sticky date pudding, brown sugar, and creme caramel with a sense of freshness retained. Entry is light and brisk building into a superb, concentrated profile of roasted nuts, dilute molasses, and sweet ginger biscuit and spice trailing off with good length. 40% Alc./Vol.