Review by: The Auditor

This sample was provided to me by a producer, distributor, or some other industry source free-of-charge. No compensation, outside of the sample, was received and there were no strings attached. You can read our full statement of Ethics & Transparency at this link.

Alambique Serrano is a single origin Oaxacan from a family owned distillery with 3 generations of distilling history. Brothers Isidoro, Rommel, William, and Axel are descendants of Max Peralta who immigrated to Mexico at the start of WW1 to escape the conflict in Germany.

 The family harvest the sugarcane from the hillsides above the distillery. These hills range from 2300-3900 feet above sea level. The cane is harvest by horse, donkey, or mules to the trapiche to be milled that day. One approximately 10 tons of cane arrives at the mill it is crushed with a Campollo 9’ mill. The juice is filled before reaching the distillery. The fresh pressed cane juice arrives and is placed into 7 1200 liter stainless steel tanks where the juice ferments naturally with wild yeast. Fermentation lasts 6-10 days. For small batches that are distilled on the copper alembic stills, the juice ferments in 3 pine vats with naturally occurring yeasts. There are two stills on the property, a Column Still built by Max Peralata and a Copper Pot Alembic Still.

This particular bottling is Blend #1. This blend was distilled by Rommel, William, and Alex Krassel . Distillate 1 was fermented in the steel tanks, 800 liters was distilled on the column still, and it was aged for 30 months in ex-cognac casks. The 2^nd distillate had 200 liters of juice distilled on the pot still and aged for 9 months in virgin French Oak casks and rested for 8 months in open topped demijohns.

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Nose: Cedar, Green Apple, Cinnamon, Raisins, Earthy

Palate: Medium oily mouthfeel, Cedar, Green Apple, Allspice, Cinnamon, Figs, Orange Peel, earthy

Finish: Medium length finish, Cedar, Cinnamon, Orange Peel, Figs, Green Apple, Earthy

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Conclusion: This is a great rum. The fruit notes mingle very well with the spices, the heat is well balanced, and you get just enough of that base cane juice flavor for me to come through.  An earthy umami backbone guides the whole thing along. Very interesting stuff and I look forward to trying my 3 other samples I have from Alambique Serrano. This marks the 1^st aged rum from Mexico I have had.

Final Score: 88

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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.