Ron Pampero Anejo Seleccion 1938 can be quite a tricky rum to track down.  Diageo the owner of this Venezulan rum brand seem focused upon the entry level Anejo and Blanco.  In addition to this the brands Aniversario is fairly easy to pick up.  Especially in Spain.

Anejo Seleccion 1938 takes part of its name from the year in which Pampero began producing rum as Industrias Pampero.  It is Anejo (aged) rum but no age is attributed on the bottle.

The rum is column distilled in 3 column stills.  It is a blend of rums from ten different barrels some of which were previously used to age sherry.  The remainder being in more traditional ex-bourbon barrels.  Age wise there is little information I would estimate the general bulk of the blend will likely be between 3 and 7 years old.  This is just guesswork based on the age of other rums in the Pampero line up.

This rum has also been included in the re-vamp of the lines rums.  However if you do see if for sale it it is likely to be in the older style bottle.  It is currently available in the UK via the Whisky Exchange for £30.45.  The rum is bottled at 40% ABV and the bottle size is the standard 70cl.

Presentation wise I honestly didn’t think Pampero were doing much wrong previously. The update is more modern but I quite liked the old style if I’m being honest.

With a lack of any further information on this rum and with very little overall to say about Pampero (that I haven’t before).  We may as well just dive into tasting the Anejo Seleccion 1938.

Rich mahogany in the glass. A nice vibrant reddish/brown.  Coloured without doubt but still it looks nice!

The nose is familiar to anyone with experience of Pampero or Venezuelan rums.  I’ve always felt that Pampero, particularly the Anniversario are more full and complex than other Venezeulan rums such as Diplomatico or Cacique.

The extra complexity is provided by additional notes of cocoa and coffee.  Like its more expensive brother this rum has a very enjoyable chocolate note running through it.  In common with other Venezuelan rums it has an almost “buttery” note to it and it also displays a slightly sweeter lighter aroma.

Sipped the rum is much more complex and rich than the Cacique lin

At the price point but subject to availability as this can be tricky to find it offers a good value no nonsense sipper.  It has an extra bit of oomph missing in many Central/South American “Anejo’s”.  An extra layer of oak and spice which sets it apart more as a rum.

It’s not really a rum to mix – its not as rich as the Anniversario so it doesn’t really stand up that well with heavier mixers and it really doesn’t work with lemonade.  With Ginger Beer it works pretty well but I would imagine most people will find this complex enough to sip and enjoy.

It has quite a decent length as well – the finish is reasonably long and nicely spiced – nutmeg, a little ginger and some nicely balanced oak make this very enjoyable.

Overall I would say this rum is fairly sweet and light but with just a little bit of an edge which makes it that little bit more enjoyable.  It’s certainly a big step up from the standard Pampero Anejo.  A rum which is just a little too thin and undemanding.

An everyday sipper.  Good but not quite great.