Facundo Neo

Facundo Neo Silver rum is the first of a line of premium rums commissioned by Facundo L. Bacardi.  Through much trial and error the rum line was created by Bacardi's Maestros de Ron Manny Oliver and Global Master Blender Jose Gomez.  The rum is aged in American Oak barrels in the Bahamas then shipped to Tultitlán Mexico where it is blended to 80 proof and bottled for export.

Neo is a blend of rums aged between one and eight years old.  The rums are filtered using activated charcoal to remove the color but not affect any of the flavor nuances of the spirit. 

Appearance/Presentation

The decanter shaped bottle features an eye catching raised design of sirens that are reminiscent of artwork at the original Bacardi offices in Cuba.  The black and silver front and back labels display details about the rum.  The synthetic cork is held in the bottle by a metal embossed cap.  A clear plastic wrap envelops the cap and neck with a pull away strip.  A black and silver security strip wrap the cap and descend down the neck. 

The rum is faintly blond in hue in the bottle and the liquid shows no sign of distillate.  In the glass the liquid loses the blond hue but is not crystal clear either.  Swirling the liquid creates a thin band which spun off fast moving thick legs, then a second set of legs formed and descended slowly down the glass. In a matter of minutes the ring beaded up and each pearl of liquid descended down the glass.

Nose

The rum has a striking floral aroma with a hint of citrus tingling around the edges. As the floral and citrus subsides additional notes of sweet vanilla, nutty oak, minerals and light esters round out the experience.

Palate

My first sip reveals the citrus notes that I detected from the aroma, followed by a balance of vanilla, banana, and coconut.  These flavors transition to roasted toffee  with a bite of alcohol that fades with into a slightly acidic finish.

Review

Facundo Neo is a bottle full of surprises.  From the floral aromatics to the balanced flavor profile this rum stands out.  These flavors hint at how to best use the rum.  I crafted a simple daiquiri and found that the citrus and fruit notes from the rum created a more robust cocktail.  Sip it neat or mix it in your favorite cocktail the rum can easily be savored either way.

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