American rum is a category that continues to go from strength to strength, with brands like Privateer and Holmes Cay continuing to innovate with their production and marketing approach.
Montanya is another American rum distiller that has produced some exciting products. Their passion for the business is reflected in all their products, three of which I’m reviewing for you today.
Plantino White Rum
Brand Story
Founded by Karen Hoskin, Montanya is based in Colorado and focuses on a sustainable approach to rum production. Translating to ‘Mountain’, the distillery was inspired by the traditional high-altitude rum creation found in countries like Guatemala, Colombia and Panama.
What’s awesome about this type of production method is that the altitude, barometric pressure force and temperature changes instil unique flavour profiles in mountain rum.
Montanya embodies the spirit of the Colorado mountains and has created a phenomenal white rum that has won a slew of awards like Best White Rum at the World Rum Awards in 2015 and nine gold medals.
Craftsmanship
Platino is created with some unique production methods. It’s made from American sugarcane juice fermented with champagne yeast and then distilled in a copper pot still.
The rum is aged for a minimum of one year in American white oak barrels that held Laws Colorado whisky and Montanya Oro.
A coconut husk carbon filter removes the colour and is then hydrated with San Juan mountain spring water. At the time of bottling, a hint of Colorado honey produced by the local bees is added to bring out the rum’s natural flavours. That is American terroir at its finest.
Tasting notes
As soon as I smelled the Platino I knew I was in for something special because it lacked the typical vegetal scent of other white agricoles like Rhum J.M Blanc. Instead, I detected notes of apple, cream and biscotti.
The complexity continued into the first sip. A silky combination of cardamom, coffee liqueur, amaretto biscuit and honeysuckle unfurled one at a time. It was a waterfall of flavour that trickled gently and beautifully, never in a rush.
The smooth texture of the Platino makes it an excellent sipping rum and I’ve added it to my list of white rums that have changed my perception on what white rum can be.
ABV: 40%
Origin: Colorado
Variety: Agricole
Style: White
Nose: Apple, cream, biscotti
Mouthfeel: Amaretto biscuit, coffee liqueur, honeysuckle, cardamon, cookie dough
Oro
Craftsmanship
The Oro is an award-winning rum that’s earned eight silver medals and ‘Best In Class’ designation. Translating from Spanish to ‘gold,’ there’s a sense that the Oro was distilled with royalty in mind.
It’s made from sugarcane juice and mixed with local water. The rum is aged for a year in an American white oak barrel that used to hold Laws Colorado whisky, which imparts a full-bodied profile because of the barrel being fresh from the whisky.
What sets the Oro apart from some dark-aged rums is that there’s no added sugar, molasses or caramel. It’s not carbon-filtered and maintains its natural colour. A dollop of honey is added to bring out natural flavours.
Tasting Notes
On the nose, the Oro has a warm, bready scent that invites you in and conjures images of that first slice of hot toast that pops out of the toaster for breakfast. The flavour of coffee and caramel sweeps in, providing a smooth kick that keeps on going towards the back of the mouth and crackles in the aftertaste.
Subtler notes of chilli pepper, chocolate and anise sparkle in the background, like the instruments in an orchestra coming together to create a grand symphony of awesome flavours.
If you’ve never tried any of Montanya’s rums before the Oro is an excellent place to start. It’s well-rounded, tastes damn good and works as a sipper and a mixer.
ABV: 40%
Origin: Colorado
Variety: Agricole
Style: Dark, aged
Nose: Toast, chocolate
Mouthfeel: Bread, coffee, chilli pepper, chocolate, anise.
Valentina
Craftsmanship
Valentia is a pure, single-barrel, double-matured rum that’s bursting with flavour. The drink is aged for four years in Laws Whisky House barrels and then finished in Rye barrels from Catoctin Creek, imparting a distinctive Scotch quality (in my opinion). Compared to other Montanya rum, the Valentia doesn’t have any honey added to it. There’s also no added sugar or sweeteners.
Tasting Notes
On removing the top, an inviting spicy aroma filled the air, which reminded me of ginger and cloves.
The first sip revealed notes of chocolate and toast, while the second brought in peaty flavours and an undercurrent of coconut. Notes of caramel and honeysuckle trickled through towards the back of the throat and then I was ambushed by a fiery burn. It was the best kind of ambush.
Montanya Valentia will provide you with all the liquid courage you need. It’s ballsy, bright and sessionable. A great addition to any rum connoisseur’s collection.
ABV: 40%
Origin: America
Variety: Molasses
Style: Gold
Nose: Ginger, clove, mushrooms
Mouthfeel: Coconut, chocolate, toast, honeysuckle, Scotch whisky