More recently, several highly nerdy and exclusive editions of El Dorado Single Still Rum have been released, all distilled in 2006. Most rum enthusiasts will feel their mouths water at the mention of El Dorado Single Still Enmore (EHP), El Dorado Single Still Port Mourant (PM) and El Dorado Single Still Versailles (VSG). All of them are bottled at 40%.
A few years ago, some exciting blends also appeared, including:
– El Dorado Port Mourant Uitvlugt Diamond 2010 Violet at 49.6%
– El Dorado Port Mourant Uitvlugt 2010 Orange at 51%
– El Dorado Uitvlugt Enmore 2008 Blue at 47.4%
But today, I’ll be tasting something a bit more down‑to‑earth — the more accessible and budget‑friendly El Dorado 12 Year Old, El Dorado 15 Year Old, and El Dorado 21 Year Old.
El Dorado 12 Year Old
El Dorado 12 contains rum components from three different stills: the Enmore wooden Coffey still, the Diamond Coffey still, and the Port Mourant double wooden pot still. All rums in the blend are at least 12 years old, and it is bottled at 40%.
In the past, El Dorado 12 contained as much as 35–39 grams of sugar per litre. Since May 2021, EU regulations no longer allow more than 20 g/L if the product is to be called rum. Even before the new rules came into force, El Dorado had already begun reducing sugar levels — and they did so quickly and without customer backlash. The rum remains very popular.
Recent Swedish measurements show 0 g/L, or technically below 3 g/L, as they cannot rule out tiny amounts of residual sugar from the cask.
Nose:
A faint chemical note reminiscent of contact glue peeks out of the glass at first — don’t be alarmed, it fades quickly as the rum opens up. It’s well balanced. If you’re a Guyana rum fan, you’ll immediately recognise the Port Mourant character. Notes of vanilla, toffee, crème brûlée and roasted hazelnuts follow.
Taste:
Nicely balanced with a good body. Flavours of eucalyptus, liquorice/molasses, sweet pipe tobacco and dried apples. The finish is surprisingly long, which confirms the very low sugar content. Excellent value for money.
El Dorado 15 Year Old
El Dorado 15 is made from rums distilled on the Enmore wooden Coffey still, Diamond Coffey still, Port Mourant double wooden pot still, and Versailles single wooden pot still. The blend contains rums aged at least 15 years, with some components up to 25 years old. Bottled at 43%.
Like the 12‑year‑old, the 15‑year‑old used to contain significantly more sugar. Various measurements from blogs and retailers show levels between 31–35 g/L, with some readings at 37 g/L and even 40 g/L in older bottles. After the EU rule change, the sugar content was quickly reduced to the allowed 20 g/L. A 2022 measurement of a newer bottle shows 10 g/L.
Nose:
More complex than the 12. The Port Mourant note is more restrained but still present. The rum feels “tightened up” — more mature. Hints of coconut, sweet berries, fresh apple peel, mild sweet pipe tobacco and a touch of medicinal liquorice cough syrup.
Taste:
More acidity, more freshness, more dryness. Liquorice root and a touch of eucalyptus. Noticeably more complexity than the 12. It feels like the blend includes some older or more refined components. Exceptionally well put together — it tastes fantastic.
El Dorado 21 Year Old
This rum is composed of rums from the Enmore wooden Coffey still, the Versailles single wooden pot still, and the Albion Savalle still. Bottled at 40%.
There are fewer sugar measurements available for the 21‑year‑old. Those that exist suggest earlier levels up to 33 g/L, gradually reduced to around 22 g/L. The most recent measurement I’ve seen (2021) reports 16 g/L — surprisingly high, if accurate. Let’s see if it shows in the taste.
Nose:
Glue and cola are the first notes to jump out of the glass. Then honey — possibly blossom honey — and honey‑roasted nuts.
Taste:
Super complex, long and delicious. Mature and charismatic. It tastes stronger than its ABV — I would have guessed around 50%, even though it’s 40%. I would love to try this completely unsweetened and perhaps at 53–55%.
The finish is heavenly: persistent, confident and deeply satisfying. It is more expensive than the other two, but still offers tremendous depth and complexity for the price. A strong recommendation.
Enjoy — and have fun exploring El Dorado.
