Ron Barcello Imperial rum presents in yet another great bottle. Compare to Botran Solera, Seales 10 or Vizcaya VXOP. In general this rum is well reviewed and is available for a very reasonable price - accordingly it ended up on my tasting schedule. Since I don't have an intriguing story behind this rum, we'll just get to the reviews:
Sue Sea:
Me:Ron Barcelo Imperial comes in a very attractive flat bottle with rounded shoulders. Not as flashy as look-at-me Vizcaya VXOP, but quiet, serious and sophisticated. My first nosing of this very nice rum was leathery, with a hint of vanilla. There was a pleasant tone of newly polished furniture. Imperial's body was medium/heavy - the taste was very spicy, strong clove and cinnamon. The finish was short, consistent and peppery. This is a truly robust rum.
My dear grandfather was a cigar smoker and this rum would have been perfect for him. I still remember him enjoying an evening cigar with his feet up on his polished leather table. A nice rum.
At its $20 price, the presentation and rum would make a lovely gift for the spirit's afficianado.
Ron Barcelo Imperial is a fine rum and a good value. Its color is a medium orangey amber, a slight green edge and solid legs. Nose with care as you may encounter an slight alcohol prickle - not unpleasant, just approach gently. I do understand Sue Sea's furniture polish reference (think of a deep fruity waxy aroma - very pleasant) which is definitely there. This aroma is pungent, a deep orange leather, and borders on a deep clove with a hint of pineapple, cigar box and vanilla. With this powerful but pleasant introduction, Imperial's taste is surprisingly sweet, with clove and cinnamon. The end palate is very astringent, with a deep fruity/peppery oak. The mouth finish is peppery, with a lingering peppery/cigar box aftertone. Not a beginner's rum, but a very powerful and fine offering.
It goes without saying this is a cigar rum; indeed I used to smoke cigars thirty years ago - despite the fact that I am a comfortable and committed non-smoker now, this rum actually made me want to buy a good stogie. Ron Barcelo Imperial is powerful but pleasant and smooth. Had it a better finish we'd have rated it higher. Attractively priced at just $20.
Score (10 is best): 8.
Note: Much later Sue Sea and I had the opportunity to taste Ron Barcelo's Gran Anejo (link) - in this more competent review we compare the Gran Anejo with Barcelo's premier Imperial. Well worth the read...