Valinch & Mallet | Spirit of Art 2023 Nicaragua 25 Year Old 1998

The Spirit of Art 2023 Nicaragua 25 Year Old is a single cask rum bottled by Valinch & Mallet, distilled in Nicaragua in 1998 and released in 2023. Produced from molasses and distilled on a continuous multi-column still, the spirit reflects a style designed for long ageing, where structure and oak influence play a greater role than distillate weight.

Although the producing distillery is not formally disclosed, long-aged Nicaraguan rums of this type are widely understood within the trade to originate from Compañía Licorera de Nicaragua, whose production favours clean, highly rectified spirit intended to mature over decades rather than deliver early sweetness.

Tasting impressions consistently describe a profile that sits closer to mature whisky than to conventional rum. On the nose, dry spices, apple brandy, and seasoned wood, with little overt sweetness. The palate is restrained and structured, showing mild initial sweetness followed by dry, woody notes, olive tones, praline, and a growing cask presence. The finish leans bitter rather than sweet, with oak and spice dominating rather than collapsing into imbalance.