A.F.D. Ron Barceló Imperial Premium Blend 40 anniversario

Ron Barceló Imperial 40 Anniversario is a Dominican release from Alcoholes Finos Dominicanos, marking a milestone for the house. Although the listing notes cane juice, Barceló is a molasses based producer, and this is column still spirit aged in ex-bourbon oak with a twelve year age statement, bottled at a firmer 43%.

This sits at the drier, more grown up end of the Dominican range. The nose offers caramel, raisin, vanilla and wood, the palate turns nutty with oak, tobacco and prunes, and the finish carries raisin, tobacco, oak and a licorice edge. There is more maturity and structure here than in the basic Barceló bottlings, with gentle oak rather than heavy sugar leading the way. A solid, dessert leaning yet relatively restrained Dominican, best enjoyed neat after dinner by drinkers who like the house style with a little more age and dryness.