Isla Ñ Tasting Notes

Isla Ñ Rum is a new breed of rums coming from countries you don’t usually expect this Caribbean based category to originate from. Isla Ñ is created and produced in Tucuman, a subtropical sugar-producing area in the northern region of Argentina. The brand was founded to re-create old-time distilling techniques with world-class raw materials. Appropriate then that Tucuman is in the heart of  the sugar producing area in Argentina.

The distillery has been designed to produce rum in a very slow and defined process to create a higher quality rum where they can control and choose the perfect rum. Isla Ñ also use traditional copper stills instead of the usual stainless steel that the larger distilleries use. The copper is said to give the rum a ‘discernible better flavour’, despite being more expensive and difficult to maintain.

Isla Ñ is produced in batch distilling, maturing the heart of the cut in fresh, new French oak barrels.

There are currently two expressions out in the UK, so below I give to you my tasting notes –

isla Ñ White – 40%

Lots of powerful aromas of vanilla on the nose, but does smooth off as it reaches the palate. Vanilla is the dominant flavour with a surprisingly long offering of bittersweet coconut.

isla Ñ Gold Reserve – 40%

Mix of toffee and fudge on the nose that does smooth out nicely near the end. A slight burn on the tongue to begin with and has a thin water texture to it. Honey flavours appear but it’s a rather short offering.

isla Ñ Dulce de Leche Liqueur – 15%

Bringing rum and Dulche de Leche together by simmering milk, sugar and vanilla then blending with isla Ñ gold. Rich on the nose with plenty of cream and coconut aromas coming through. Velvet smooth on the palate with citrus rum coming through slowly. Coconut makes an appearance with over-proof rum notes dicing a little. Short.

A little different to your average rums, but how would it compare in a cocktail?

A Lady With No Name

Glass –

Martini

Ingredients –

40 ml isla Ñ Gold Reserve
12.5 ml Liquor 43
1 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
5 Cardamon pods

Method –

Dissolve the sugar in a small amount (15ml) of Isla Ñ Gold Reserve. Add ice to mixing glass then add the rest of the ingredients. Stir, sieve and serve straight up with a zest of orange.

Not a bad idea for a cocktail. Possibly one to look out for when Isla Ñ starts to hit the back bars of your favourite cocktail venue. Give it a go!

Check out more photos, taken at The Circle 360, via my Facebook page.

© David Marsland and Drinks Enthusiast 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog/sites author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to David Marsland and Drinks Enthusiast with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.