Alambique Serrano Vida Nativa Single Cask #7 Arbol De Pipe
Review #1531; Rum #830
Here we have my final review of the 2026 Vida Nativa series. This is a single cask of rum made from cane juice. This juice was made from crushing cane of the Java varietal grown in Santa Maria Tlalixtac, Oaxaca 2,500-3,800 feet above sea level. It was then fermented in pine tanks with wild yeasts and distilled on the Krassel still. It then aged for 35 months in new French oak and was finished for 14 months in a Hungarian Oak ex-red wine cask. It was then bottled with no water, sugar, or coloring added.
Distillery: Krassel Brothers
Bottler: Alambique Serrano
Region: Mexico
Still: Krassel
ABV: 49.6%
Nose: Floral, Currants, Raspberry, Star Anise, Mint, Apricot
Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel, Raspberry Star Anise, Mint, Apricot, Licorice, Cucumber
Finish: Long length finish, Currants, Raspberry, Star Anise, Mint, Menthol, Apricot, Licorice
This is a wonderfully tart and acidic rum. Its floral too with not much of that classic spice you get from an aged Alambique. Theres a perfumy essence to it and a bit of that menthol, star anise, cucumber weirdness going on. It’s effervescent with some of its notes but really heavy on these fruity kind of cough syrup notes. It’s so strange and transformative.
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.
