Stunned at my palate's response to Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva

[Recluse]

Zacapa 23 was my intro to premium rums after a friend gave me a small sample to try. I started to research it and came upon this fine site and also many other fine rums. Before cracking the seal on the first bottle of Ron Zacapa 23 that I OWNED, I purchased a bottle of Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva and started sipping it last night. I was a little shocked! It wasn't the profound experience I thought it should be. I found it a little thin, a little harsh, and while far and away better than any rum I have tried prior to the Zacapa, it seemed more like a Cognac than a rum. Maybe this is characteristic of the Cuban style?

At this moment, I am sipping the Zacapa to see if my memory of the previous sample was somehow in error, but no.. it remains a smooth blissful sipping experience...I am tasting some coffee in the finish that is new and wonderful.

Will give the Ron Matusalem another try. Maybe I just like the sweeter rums, and I can't wait to get my hands on some Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva!!

Is my rum palate terminally dysfunctional???

[Edward Hamilton]

It sounds like Matusalem didn't live up to your expectations. I don't find all of the Matusalem rums to be representative of the Cuban style of rums produced in Cuba. Claiming to be Cuban style is widely used to market a variety of rums.

I try not to be prejudiced by what I have read or heard when assessing new rums. Good spirits will stand on their own merits.

[saltgrassbear]

I happened upon the Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva by chance following one of Robert Burr's rum cake recipes. The cake was fantastic. Grilled a steak and and then poured myself a glass of this rum. The pairing of the rum and steak together was the best I've ever had. I purchased several bottles just for this occasion. Try it.


SGB

[Arctic Wolf]

I remember my impression of Matusalem gran Reserva was that it was very mellow. The flavour almost needed to be coaxed out. In fact the only times I enjoy the Gran Reserva is when I feel really laid back and mellow myself. Its pretty much a mood rum for me.

I think that after the full flavour of Zacapa, you were not prepared for a totally different style. And I can see how it would seem 'thin' in comparison.

[Edward Hamilton]

I would certainly consider these two rums to be of very different styles, and the producers agree.

[Recluse]

Originally Posted by saltgrassbear

I happened upon the Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva by chance following one of Robert Burr's rum cake recipes. The cake was fantastic. Grilled a steak and and then poured myself a glass of this rum. The pairing of the rum and steak together was the best I've ever had. I purchased several bottles just for this occasion. Try it.


SGB

As it happens, I am planning to make a rum cake today..but it seemed sacrilegious somehow to use a premium rum in a cake! Had planned to use a combo of Bacardi Gold and Sailor Jerry..but maybe I will sneak in some Ron Matusalem as well.

Thanks to all for your comments. Will let you know how subsequent tastings may change my initial opinion.

[TheRumelier]

It is hard to change a Trinny rum into a Cuban rum just by solera aging it in the DR!! The blend has changed a lot recently, lacks the body it once had.

[cycloneX]

I had heard some good reviews on the Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva 15, so when I found a bottle i was pretty pumped. When I got it home and tried it i was very disappointed. I found it to be very thin or watery on the tongue and very thin on taste too.... not at all what i expected.
Im glad to see that others have had similar experiences.

Gregg

[STR1DER]

Timing seems to be everything with tasting liquor. If I had read your thin comments a year ago, I would have whole-heartedly chimed in. But maybe my palate is changing. Or maybe we're all a little rum crazy!

I agree with Arctic Wolf that Matusalem is in sharp contrast to Zacapa. And I will add that the word "solera" has a way of suggesting "thicker" or "smoother"--the latter of which, Matusalem certainly is. But syrupy, leggy and super-sweet it is not.

I just had a sizable glass of this the other night, since I picked up a bottle from Shopper's on the cheap. It's my second bottle. The first bottle is completely forgotten and in retrospect strangely unremarkable, but this time around---I'm loving it. Maybe it's the new hammock in the backyard, or the weather, or the cigar I fired up along the way, but this was REALLY good. Two ice cubes, BTW.

JCC

[Hank Koestner]

There is a good difference between the two, and as Bob has said, the blend has changed a little. The new 18 is more full bodied, like the 15 used to be.