Some rums arrive with a reputation, and this one lives up to it. Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva 12 Year Old is a Venezuelan masterpiece aged for 12 years, celebrated for its silky sweetness and rich character, from the first pour to the final drop.

Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva 12 Year Old 70 cl
Brand: Diplomático | Category: Venezuelan Aged Rum | ABV: 40% | Origin: Venezuela | Vol: 700 ml

Tasting Profile
Nose: Warm and aromatic, brown sugar, vanilla pods, ripe raisins, toasted almonds, and a suggestion of honeyed spice. It’s like stepping into a dessert cabinet on a lazy afternoon.
Palate: Silky and layered, rich caramel, butterscotch, dark chocolate, tropical figs and molasses shimmer across the tongue, with gentle oak from its long maturation.
Finish: Long, smooth, and comforting, the sweetness fades into soft tobacco, cocoa powder, and a whisper of cinnamon, leaving a velvety warmth.

Production Details
Crafted from a blend of rums distilled in copper pot stills and column stills, every component in this expression is at least 12 years old. A solera like system melds older and younger spirits, marrying fruit, sweetness and oak. It’s filtered sharply to retain its clarity while preserving balance, resulting in a rum that tastes rich, clean, and polished.

Perfect For
Best savored neat or over a large ice cube after dinner. Perfect with dark chocolate, crème brûlée or a fruit forward dessert. It’s also a decadent upgrade to classic rum cocktails like an Old Fashioned or a refined Daiquiri.

Expert Notes
Widely regarded as one of the world’s most balanced aged rums, it consistently wins international awards. Professionals praise its layered sweetness and luxurious texture, especially at a modest 40% ABV, proof that complexity doesn’t need high strength.

Customer Reviews
"Smooth as silk. Feels indulgent but never cloying, just keeps giving."   Mark
"Rich and sweet without overdoing it. Great for sipping after dinner."   Lucia
"Made me rethink what rum can be: dessert level but dignified."   Erik

Interesting Fact
Diplomático was born in Venezuela’s Andes region, not coastal, so its rums often reflect high altitude aging and local cane varietals, making its flavor profile distinct from many Caribbean rums.

Serving Suggestions
Serve neat in a tulip or snifter glass to capture the aromas. Add a single large cube if you want a bit of chill without dilution. For cocktails, use it in a premium Rum Old Fashioned with orange bitters and a twist of zest, or layer it in a dessert-style rum affogato.

Distillery Background
Based in the highlands of Lara, Venezuela, Destilerías Unidas sources sugar cane from local growers and ages its spirits in ex-bourbon and ex-wine barrels. Since 1959, Diplomático has balanced regional tradition with a European influenced approach to aging. Reserva Exclusiva reflects their philosophy: refined, expressive, and approachable luxury born from local agrarian roots.