Don Q Signature Release for 2016 is a Single Barrel rum from 2005. Don Q are amongst a number of producers who are making noises about “no addtives” in their rum. They freely invite you to test their wares as they know they have not added anything.
Despite this I still notice a lot of scepticism in the rum community concerning Don Q rums. Much of this based on the fact they produce multi column distilled rums. All I will say to those sceptical about their rums is try one, especially their Anejo or Gran Anejo.
Don Q Gran Anejo is a top of the range sipping rum from Puerto Rican domestic powerhouse Serralles.
Don Q Anejo is one of the two more “premium” rums available in the UK from Puerto Rican producers Serralles. The Don Q brand has recently been re-vamped and they are actively trying to get a foothold in the UK market, which is currently dominated by another Puerto Rican concern – Bacardi and brands from Diageo such as Captain Morgan.
Don Q Gold along with Don Q Cristal are the entry level rums from rum producer Serralles.
Bacardi re-launched this rum only last year in the UK. Until then Bacardi Gold (as it was then) was bottled at 37.5% ABV. This was increased to 40% ABV. Now the whole Bacardi line up has been re-vamped and Bacardi Gold has been re-named in a more contermporary style whilst still keeping some of the distinguishing Bacardi features.
Bacardi Carta Fuego – Red Spiced Rum to give it it’s full moniker. In 2011 Bacardi moved away from creating weird and wonderful Flavoured Rums and introduced their competitor in the Spiced Rum market – Bacardi Oakheart.
In 2011 after numerous “flavoured” expressions and a couple of rum “liqueurs” Bacardi finally released a Spiced rum to the market. Except at only 35% they aren’t legally allowed to market it as a Spiced rum so it becomes a Smooth and Spiced Spirit Drink.