Review #1527; Rum #826
The Vida Nativa series from Alambique Serrano serves as a limited release of single casks and blends that celebrate unique rums made at the distillery and to celebrate the exotic species found in Oaxaca. This bottling’s label has a Diaethria Anna, also known as Anna’s eighty-eight, due to the color of this butterflies wings appearing to make an 88.
This is a blend of rums from Alambique Serrano, the brand working with the Krassel brothers to bottle their rums from Oaxaca, Mexico. This rum was distilled from fresh pressed cane juice from cane of the Java varietal, grown Santa Maria Tlalixtac, Oaxaca 2,500-3,800 feet above sea level. The cane juice fermented in pine tanks with wild yeasts and then was distilled on a pot still and some of it on the Krassel still.
A blend of the Pot and Krassel still rum (before ageing) was put into New French Oak where it aged for 3 years. It was then finished for 11 months in an ex-tequila cask.
A run of the Krassel still distillate was put into ex-bourbon for 38 months. It was then finished for 10 months in an Ex-merlot Oak cask.
These two casks were blended together and bottled at cask strength with no additives, no water, no sugar, and no coloring.
Distillery: Krassel Brothers
Bottler: Alambique Serrano
Region: Mexico
Still: Pot & Krassel
ABV: 56.1%
Nose: Currant, Pepper Jelly, Chili Flakes, Earthy, Apricot, Root Beer, Iodine
Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel, Apple, Pepper Jelly, Currants, Apricot, Chili Flake, Earthy, Cinnamon, Root Beer, Brine
Finish: Medium length Finish, Pepper Jelly, Apricot, Earthy, Apple, Cinnamon, Brine, Iodine
This one breaks the mold for other Alambique’s I’ve had. Its crisp and refreshing, bold spices, baking spices, a nice backbone of apple and apricot combine with the earthiness and spices. It really lingers on your tongue a good long while. It’s thick and full bodied while still feeling sharp and navigable. Just another big win from Alabmqiue showing the power of blending.
Final Score: 91
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.
