In 1628 the Spanish silver fleet was trapped in the bay of Matanzas on Cuba when Dutch admiral Piet Hein came sailing in. He left with more than 11 million guilders in gold, silver and trade goods. On board were falconets, small and accurate naval cannons with falcons cast on the barrel. That's where this bottle gets its name.
Expert's Description
Bombarda Falconet is a Caribbean Rum blended from rums from Panama, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Guyana, aged 8-15 years in white oak and Ex-bourbon casks and bottled at 43%.
The man behind Bombarda is James Papagno from Florida. He started the brand to honour his father George, a US Navy veteran who lived to almost 102. The two of them shared rum together for 39 years. The blend was put together with experienced rum blenders in the Netherlands, and the rules are simple: no added sugar, no caramel colouring and no chill filtration.
The four origins pull in different directions. Panama and the Dominican Republic bring the soft, rounded sweetness of Latin American rum. Trinidad and Guyana add the English style, including pot still rum from Guyana, which gives more weight and edge. The rum is double aged, first in white oak and then in Ex-bourbon casks, and it's the bourbon casks you notice in the vanilla and the warm spice on the finish.
The bottle is shaped like a black cannon barrel, and in the US this release goes by the name Midnight Battle Edition. Tastings.com named Falconet the best dark rum for a Daiquiri.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Surprisingly green for a dark rum. Kiwi and unripe plantain up front, then sarsaparilla, a touch of cola and a cool cinnamon with a breath of mint. Vanilla sits underneath it all.
Palate
Satiny and drier than you'd expect. Medium body with grilled pineapple, raisins, roasted nuts and butterscotch, while allspice slowly takes over.
Finish
Long and warming. Roasted pineapple and tamarind, spiced oak and, right at the end, something close to toasted brioche with cinnamon sugar.
Specifications
Name: Bombarda Falconet Caribbean Rum
Bottler: Bombarda Rum
Region/Country: Panama, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Guyana
Type: Caribbean Rum
Age: 8-15 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: White oak casks and Ex-bourbon casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
EAN no.: 8710631123000
Serving suggestion: Neat with a single ice cube or in a classic Daiquiri
Flavour Profile
Fruity · Tropical · Spicy · Dry · Oak
Did You Know?
The idea for Bombarda came on a family trip to Dry Tortugas National Park off the Florida Keys in 2019. The old cannons out there gave the brand its name, which is why every Bombarda rum is named after a type of cannon or a famous warship.
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