Cruzan Diamond And Single Barrel

[monsuke fiend]

Hi, I'm fairly new to the realm of rum and had a quick question.... What are the notable differences between cruzan estate diamond and single barrel estate?

[mickblueeyes]

The Estate Diamond is the 5yr old (as indicated by the new packaging) and has caramel coloring added to it, as can be clearly seen when comparing the bottles side by side. The regular line of Cruzan is pure molasses distillate, which yeilds a more industrial type of spirit most suitable for mixing, though the oak aging of the 5 yr brings it around enough for drinking on the rocks or neat. I am guessing, just by taste, correct me if I am wrong Ed, but I don't think the Cruzan Single Barrel is a pure molasses distillate (if it is, they have done it very well) and I am not sure of the age. It doesn't appear to be flavor/color altered with caramel.

IMO, the Single barrel is worth every penny and is much lighter on the palate, not so sweet, but still a "sweeter" style (vs. the drier French style rums) with loads of vanilla and tropical fruit on the nose and palate. Pleasant light spice on the finish.

[Jason Perlow]

The single barrel is a blend of 6-12 year old rums.

[mickblueeyes]

Thanks for that info Jason, I didn't know how old it was. Do you know if it a sugar cane or "cane juice" distillate vs. molasses?

[Ed Hamilton]

Both of these rums are molasses distillate. The notable difference is that the Estate Diamond is considerably heavier on the palate. The Single Barrel is a blend of rums which are then aged in a single barrel for up to eighteen months depending on the taste of the blender.

After drinking both I prefer the heavier flavor of the Estate Diamond, but kee a bottle of the Single Barrel around for the research.

[Jason Perlow]

Both of these rums are molasses distillate. The notable difference is that the Estate Diamond is considerably heavier on the palate. The Single Barrel is a blend of rums which are then aged in a single barrel for up to eighteen months depending on the taste of the blender.

After drinking both I prefer the heavier flavor of the Estate Diamond, but kee a bottle of the Single Barrel around for the research.

[mikef]

According to Cruzan's website, both rums are blends of rums aged 4 - 12 years. After blending, the Single Barrel is given a final aging in new charred oak barrels.

http://www.cruzanrums.com/

[Ed Hamilton]

The rums are aged up from 6 to 12 years and then aged again in another barrel for another 18 months. Hope this clears this up.

It was surprising to me that the single barrel was considerably lighter in flavor than the Estate Diamond which has always been on of my favorite rums.