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. Once 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 is a single cask of fresh pressed cane juice rum that was fermented for 10 days in a pine tank with ambient yeasts. This was double distilled on a pot still before being aged for 9 months in a virgin French Oak cask in a dry climate then rested in an open top glass demijohn for 8 months before being bottled at cask strength.
Nose: Raisins, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, faint green apple, Vanilla, Dark Chocolate, Minerality
Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel, Raisin, Nutmeg, Green Apple, Vanilla, Dark Chocolate, Minerality, orange peel
Finish:Medium length mouthfeel, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Dark Chocolate, Minerality, orange peel
Conclusion: A great cask of aged sugar cane juice. These Alambique’s have impressed me given their young aged and cane juice as I generally prefer cane juice to be older or unaged. However these blends and casks showcase the incredible range aged cane juice can have, especially given the what I assume is high quality casks being used to age the rum. Cask #1 really speaks to me with the dark fruit notes and spices. It drinks well below proof as well. It takes water well though and a few drops helps to open up some more of those minerality notes.
Final Score: 88
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.
Malt Runners 