Diplomatico Reserva

Best in this price range if you like medium sweet and vanilla notes

The orange lable Diplomatico Reserva was the Rum that changed everything i expected and known about Rum as a Rum novice living in a market where Rum is not too popular and choices are limited byeond the few big brands and the high tier extra aged rums that may cost small fortune. as a Single Malt drinker i felt initiated into a completely new dimension, different than the mass market products i embarked on a new journey. My impressions of the Orange labeled Reserva were of total surprise and the urge to drink more and more, such a pleasant sip, such rich complexity of a rainbow color of sweetness, from Raisins via Coffee, Tobacco, Chocolate and fantastic Sugar molasses. it's so delicate on the throat i would compare it to Solera Grand Reserva and close to XO in cognac and to the smoothness of 18 year old Malts. seriously good stuff in this bottle. was amazed and disappointed to discover that this is now discontinued and replaced by another bottling called Mantuano which is also very nice but lacks the smoothness of this rewarded pure sipper bottle.
Edit 26.6.22: It seems the Reserva had rather larger amount of added sugar which indeed had an impact on it's overall taste. my guess it was the European threshold for Rum so a new version with less added Sugar had to be introduced, which was the "Mantuano" which basically replaced the "Reserva".

This is a great rum. I love Diplomatico!

Not quite as sweet or smooth as the Diplomatico Exclusiva, but still great - especially for the incredibly low price of only $19.99 (Total Wines & More). Smells and tastes of toffee, vanilla, oak, and molasses. A fantastic rum which deserves a great score.

I have a love hate with Diplomatico, this bottle was wonderful, but some of their other stuff is odd.

I used to sell this a while back in an old bar i worked in and remember trying it around the time i was really falling in love with rum (Dont get me wrong ive always loved rum, but theres a time when your growing up and its no longer 'ooh i like rum, ill ave a rum n coke' and it becomes 'seriously i friggin LOVE rum let me see your selection, line up those 6 i need to try them all!!') as i was saying, it was a small place and this was probably the best rum in there! Opens with almost a fruit brulee integrating the caramel, citrus, light spice and dried fruits but lasts on the palate leaving you with a creamy, chocolatety sweetness that goes on so long and so smooth. We like!

I'm still fairly early on in my rum journey but this is the best I've had so far. If you don't think this excellent rum than I want to know what you're drinking. Certainly the best at this price point.

I thought I knew rum before I drank this but this quickly turned me away from some of my favourites.
Its smooth, agile and soft on the pallet with enough flavour to keep you wanting more.

Silky smooth and morish. I find this better than the reserva. With or without mixer (ginger beer). Been a staple in my cupboard for years and also converted many to the wonders of rum!

un excelent mix cu arome de vanilie si caramel, cu usoara tenta de migdale.... superb

9 for the price, can't get something that smooth for that cheap, awesome rum, good son to the exclusiva