Rum Concepcion 1990

Rum Concepcion is a Nicaraguan release from Compania Licorera, drawn from a 1990 vintage. Nicaragua's column-still molasses rums sit toward the drier, cleaner and more spirit-forward end of the Spanish style, set apart from the sweeter Central American norm. With its age behind the blend and bottled at 40%, this should show the vanilla, soft oak spice and dried-fruit register that long-aged Nicaraguan rum tends to develop, in a balanced rather than heavily sweetened form. Nicaraguan rons of this kind lean cleaner than the dessert end of the category. Sweetness is not disclosed, so expect a smooth, mellow sipper that lets the spirit and oak lead rather than a thick, sugary pour.