Alambique Serrano Rum Blend #5 – El Boxeador

Review by: The Auditor

Review #1203; Rum #517

Here we have yet another bottling from the Krassel brothers, 3rd generation distillers located in Santa Maria Tlalixtac in the mountainous Cañada region of Oaxaca, Mexico. This rum is a 50/50 blend of distillate from their custom Krassel still and a copper pot still. After being distilled the Krassel still spirit was aged for 27 months in a first fill ex-bourbon cask and the pot still spirit was aged for 19 months in a new French oak cask. These rums were then blended and bottled at cask strength with no additives. This rum was selected for Prizefighter bottle shop located in Emeryville, California.

For a deep dive on Alambique Serrano and the distillery run by the Krassel brothers, I’d highly recommend the newest episode of the rumcast where they sit down with Jason Paul Cox who helped start the Alambique brand the Isidoro Krassel Jr, one of the brothers who distill the rum.

Distillery: Krassel Brothers

Bottler: Alambique Serrano

Region: Oaxaca, Mexico

Still: Krassel Column & Copper Pot

Cask: New French Oak & First Fill Ex-BOurbon

ABV: 65.9%

Nose: Allspice, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Sandalwood, Brine, Bell Pepper, Caramelized Banana, Apple, Vanilla Chai, Nuttiness, Rain Water

Palate:   Thick Oily Mouthfeel, Sandalwood, Nutmeg, Coriander, Brine, Allspice, Apple, Lemon Zest, Caramelized Banana, Vanilla Chai, Figs, Nuttiness, Rain Water, Orange Peel

Finish: Long Finish, Black Tea, Nutty, Apple, Sandalwood, Lemon Zest, Allspice, Vanilla, Orange Peel, Nutmeg, Nuttiness

Conclusion: An incredible combination of flavors that bring both complexity and balance. This is an explosion of spices and fruits that lean heavily into the savory territory but have just a touch of fruit and vanilla to round it out. Simply one of the best rums I’ve had this year

Final Score: 96

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing.
  • 0-49: Blech.

Published by The Auditor

I have drank my fair amount of single malt but got started writing reviews about Single Malt and Bourbon in 2018. Over 1000 total reviews later and I focus mainly on Sugar Cane Spirits now. However, single malt is a still a spirits category I enjoy greatly as is Agave and Brandy. I wouldn’t go as far as to call myself an expert but I am the resident Rum obsessed writer for Malt Runners.

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