Don Q Reserva Anejo 7 Anos. The Don Q range has undertaken quite a re-vamp over the past few years. They have both expanded and re-categorised their range of rums.

So we now have the “Traditional Range” which comprises their Gold, Cristal and 151 rum. The “Flavors” comprising Naranja, Coco, PIna and Limon. Finally we have the “Serralles Collection” which seems to house pretty much everything else.

The website also splits the rums between Don Q Rums and Don Q Premium Aged rums – which differentiates between the “Traditional” and “Flavors” and the “Serralles Collection”

Don Q Reserva Anejo 7 Anos is part of the Serralles collection. I am presuming this replaces the previous Don Q Anejo which I reviewed way back in 2016. As I can see no sign of such a bottling on the Don Q website.

The Don Q Anejo was a blend of rums aged between 3-8 years. So in theory as Don Q use the minimum age as their age statement this is at least a fully 7 year old rum. So their should/could be an improvement. In all honesty with that review being 9 years ago and with no access to that bottling – I don’t think there is going to be much comparing going on!

Don Q Reserva Anejo 7 Anos has been aged for “at least” 7 years in ex-bourbon casks at the distillery in Puerto Rico. It is a molasses based rum which was produced on a column still. It is in the lighter “Spanish” style but unlike many of their peers Don Q do not use any additives in their rum production. I’ve always thought of Don Q being the brand that Bacardi could be..

A 70cl bottle of Don Q Reserva Anejo 7 Anos will set you back around £35 it is available from Master of Malt and other stockists quite readily. It is bottled at 40% ABV.

In the glass we have a “classic” Golden Brown rum. As this is a widely and continuously available release it is likely that a little E150 is used as a colourant for consistency. People don’t like buying piss coloured spirits for some reason……..

On the nose Don Q Reserva Aenjo 7 Anos, is light and vibrant. There is a nice hit of sweetness initially – vanilla and coconut. This is followed by some light oak and warming spices. There is a little bit of tobacco as well.

It is not a hugely complex nose. It is a very honest nose though. Don Q is produced in the lighter Spanish column distilled style but I feel it has a fair bit in common with lighter Barbados and St Lucian profiles. Especially when the column element is high.

Don Q Reserva Anejo 7 Anos is bottled at 40% ABV and its lighter profile means it is an easy going sipper. How well does it work as a sipper?

I would say surprisingly well but I’m not “new” to Don Q so it isn’t a surprise to me personally. It’s light, clean and easy going. The nose transfers nicely into the sipping experience. So sweet notes of vanilla and coconut, alongside some sweet shortbread and baking spices. A little toffee/caramel. Caramel Shortcake perhaps.

On the mid palate the oak and spices come into play more offering a rich and nicely rounded experience.

Finish wise – it is a decent length but with it being a touch on the light side it isn’t particularly intense. It gives a nice airy yet slightly woody finish with plenty vanilla and toffee.

Don Q Reserva Anejo 7 Anos is not a “knock your socks off” kind of rum. It is a light multi column distilled spirit. Personally, regardless of how it is produced I think it has lots in common with Barbados, Antigua and St Lucian rum. Certainly, in terms of the actual flavour of the rum.

They are very forthright in the fact they do not add sugar or other additives to flavour their rums. Something which isn’t so common in the “Spanish Style”.

All in all, if you are looking for something a little lighter or something a little more “Premium” for cocktails then this is certainly well worth considering.

It doesn’t pull up any trees or do anything “new” or “innovative” but its a very solid rum. What it does do in terms of the flavour profile it does very well. It’s a much better rum than say Bacardi 8 for example.