I’ve wondered for a while what actually separates Ron Abuelo 12 from Ron Abuelo XII Two Oaks, and whether “Añejo XII Años” even qualifies as a real age statement. Ron Abuelo themselves claim that XII is “double matured” for 12 years. Distiller.com goes into far more specifics, and says that actually XII does not carry an age statement. It’s actually a blend of rums ranging from 8 to 40+ years old, with the average age being just over 11 years, finished for an additional 9 months in extra-charred first-fill casks. They also get very specific about the charring process and give a date, which also lends a lot of credibility.

For context, Panama uses a weighted-age system, so, for example, blending equal parts 6 year and 10 year rum would allow you to call it an 8 year old rum in Panama. By that math, if the average age of the blend is at least 11.25 years, after an additional 9 month finish it can legally be called a 12 year old rum.

I am also aware that a Ron Abuelo XII Three Angels exists, but I have not yet had the chance to try it.

Review

Smell

Tasted alongside the 12 and Zacapa 23, XII is the woodiest of the three by far. Zacapa has a faint wine note that XII doesn’t really have, while the 12 is a touch more citrusy and floral than both.

Taste

Compared to the 12, XII has a stronger note of vanilla and oak, a bit more sour (I don’t know how to describe this sourness but you feel it in Havana Club 7 pretty distinctly) and it’s significantly more dry and tannic. Compared to Zacapa, it’s less sweet and more sour, and in general, the depth and richness is pretty similar, but XII just goes all in on bold intense oak flavor, it’s dry and tannic to match, while Zacapa is more simple and sweet and cuts the oak flavor with sherry notes.

Verdict 6.5/10

Overall, Ron Abuelo makes some of my favorite rums in the Central American category, though it’s significantly sweeter than some competitors, like Flor de Caña.

XII is bolder in oak, tannin, and sourness to the point where the sweetness stops being a flaw and becomes necessary for balance. It needs it in order to balance the very bold barrel taste of this rum. I like it despite its rough edges, and I’d put it tied with Zacapa 23 in score at 6.5/10, because both are deep, rich, easy to sip rums (or, possibly, full of additives like glycerin, though for Ron Abuelo, that remains unconfirmed). Neither is really a must-have for me. Zacapa 23 is a bit too sweet, and Ron Abuelo XII Two Oaks is a bit too sour.