Diplomatico Single Vintage 2008 Sherry Cask Finish Venezuela Rum 70 cl 43%

Some vintages simply stay with you. 2008 was one of those years at Destilerías Unidas in Venezuela – barrels that matured into something beyond the ordinary, singled out by the distillery and carried all the way through a long finish on sherry casks.

Expert's Description

Diplomatico Single Vintage 2008 Sherry Cask Finish is a Venezuelan Rum distilled in 2008 and bottled at 43%.

The rum belongs to Diplomatico's Prestige Range, where a Single Vintage is only released in years when selected casks from a single year of distillation turn out to have developed exceptionally. The base is cane molasses, and part of the rum's weight comes from the distillery's signature method – batch kettle distillation on pot stills – which gives a heavier, more oily rum than most column still-based rums.

After 12 years of maturation in a combination of ex-bourbon casks, ex-single malt whisky casks and new American oak, the rum was transferred to first-fill Oloroso sherry casks for a final year of finishing. This is where the dark, dried fruit and the spiced sweetness really settle into the glass.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Smoked wood, roasted coffee and dark chocolate arrive first, followed by vanilla and ripe, sweet fruit.

Palate

Rich and well-rounded, with a touch of red berries and a lingering, soft warmth from the sherry casks.

Finish

Long and mellow, with notes of caramel, warming winter spice and a last trace of oak.

Specifications

Name: Diplomatico Single Vintage 2008 Sherry Cask Finish Venezuela Rum
Distillery: Diplomatico
Region/Country: Venezuela
Type: Venezuelan Rum
Age: 12 years, finished for a further year in sherry casks
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Ex-bourbon, ex-single malt whisky and new American oak casks, finished in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks
Distillation Method: Batch kettle (pot still)
Distilled: 2008
Edition: Single Vintage, Prestige Range
Serving Suggestion: Best enjoyed neat, or with a single ice cube

Flavour Profile

Sherry-matured · Rich · Spiced · Fruity · Rounded

Did You Know?

Diplomatico is one of the few rum producers in the world still distilling on a batch kettle – a technique found at only a handful of distilleries globally, and part of what gives the rum its heavy, oily character.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Diplomatico Single Vintage 2008 Sherry Cask Finish

What does "Single Vintage" mean at Diplomatico?

It means the rum comes exclusively from casks distilled in a single year – in this case, 2008. Diplomatico only releases a Single Vintage in years when selected casks turn out to have matured exceptionally.

What does the sherry cask finish do to the flavour?

The sherry casks add dark fruit notes and a spiced sweetness not found in Diplomatico's other series. It's this extra finishing period that gives Single Vintage 2008 its depth.

Is Diplomatico Single Vintage 2008 worth it?

Yes – the combination of long cask maturation, a rare distillation method and a finish on first-fill sherry casks makes it one of the more complex releases in Diplomatico's range.

Should the rum be enjoyed neat or over ice?

Diplomatico itself recommends serving it neat, so the aromas of coffee, chocolate and sherry-spiced fruit come through fully. A single ice cube can soften it if you prefer it cooler.

Which glass suits a rum like this best?

A narrow glass, such as a cognac or nosing glass, concentrates the aromas best and makes it easier to pick up the many layers on the nose.

What is batch kettle distillation?

It's Diplomatico's signature method, where distillation takes place in a copper kettle rather than the more common column stills. The method produces a heavier, more oily rum with extra complexity.

Where does Diplomatico come from?

The rum is produced by Destilerías Unidas S.A. in Venezuela, on a distillery site dating back to 1959, today one of the country's largest rum producers.

Does Diplomatico Single Vintage 2008 make a good gift?

Yes, its sherry cask finish and limited vintage give it an exclusive edge, making it well suited to recipients who already know and appreciate quality rum. Take a look at our wider range of other rum distilleries and houses for more gift ideas.