In order to better understand the issues of using different types of distilling apparatus and the impact it has on rums, we first asked Maestro Ronero Nelson Hernandez to explain how it works at Diplomático.
Diplomático rums were created in the DUSA Distillery in Venezuela, where historically, master distillers made rums, whiskies and other spirits for the Venezuelan market. Maestro Ronero, Tito Cordero (now retired) and Nelson Hernandez (still in business for over 30 years) then envisioned a rum at the crossroads, where blending several of the distillations they used for other spirits would create a unique, complex profile.
THE BARBET COLUMN
The first of our three pieces of distillation equipment is the Barbet column. It was designed in France in 1959 by Emile Barbet specifically for our distillery. By applying a continuous distillation process to small low wines, we obtain a new light, lively and fruity spirit.
What differentiates the Barbet column from other distillation columns (e.g. kreyol column) is the reflux system located in its upper part. The alcohol molecules rise to the top of the column, then are recharged a second time by this reflux system, which allows to obtain light but aromatic rums.
THE BATCH KETTLE
In 1959, the Batch Kettle was imported from the Waterloo Distillery in Canada where it was used to make Crown Royal Rye Whiskey. This is a very rare piece of distillation equipment. There are only a few in the world and, to our knowledge, we are the only rum distillery to use it.
The Batch Kettle works as a batch distillation process. It consists of a large pot connected to a rectifying column. In this case we use the heavy wines from the first distillation which, after the process, will produce a new complex and creamy spirit.
POT STILLS
Pot Stills are copper stills that were imported from Strathisla Distillery in Scotland, where they were used to make Strathisla Single Malt Whisky, one of the main whiskies in the Chivas blend.
Upon arrival, they were adapted to rum making by adding two retorts to the main pot. The distillation of the low wines in these copper stills will create a very deep, rich and heavy spirit, perfect to be the heart of all our rums.
THE RUMS
The use of these three distillation methods allows Diplomático rums to adapt to each use, and to offer a very wide aromatic palette, to please the greatest number of people. Thus, lovers of whiskey or rum of different traditions will find their tasting note in the rums of the range.
Stills and columns in the range
In the cocktail rums, we find more column rums in the blends. Thus in the Mantuano: we find 40% heavy rums from Pot Stills and 60% light and semi-light rums from the Barbet column and the Batch Kettle). In the Planas we find 50% heavy rums (Pot Stills) and 50% light and semi-light rums (Barbet Column and Batch Kettle).
In the Reserva Exclusiva and Selección de Familia, which are tasting rums, there is more rich and complex distillation in Pot Still, to offer a complex blend and a long finish. Thus in the Reserva Exclusiva there is 80% heavy rums (Pot Still) and 20% light and semi-light rums (Colonne Barbet/Batch Kettle). And in the Seleccion de Familia: 90% heavy rums (Pot Still) and 10% light and semi-light rums (Colonne Barbet/Batch Kettle).
In the Single Vintage and Ambassador, we find only a complex distillation (100% heavy rums, 100% Pot Still semi-heavy rums) in order to obtain an exceptional profile through the long maturation and aging of a rich and complex rum.