Dos Maderas Double Aged Vs Triple Aged Comparative Rum Review

Dos Maderas’ Robe

• Hue:
  • Double Aged: Antique Brass
  • Triple Aged: Tawny Port
• Clarity:
  • Double Aged: Quite Clear
  • Triple Aged: Quite Clear
• Viscosity:
  • Double Aged: Somewhat Light
  • Triple Aged: Syrupy

There is a stark difference in appearance between the Double and Triple Aged rums. While the Double Aged is quite light with an overall antique brass colour, the Triple Aged is so dark that it resembles tawny port. It has a red-brown tint and oozes in the glass with think legs.

For there to be such a distinctive change after only two additional years of ageing, I imagine that some colouring has been used. However, Pedro Ximenez is a red sherry grape so it is possible that it has imparted such a strong colour.

Dos Maderas’ Nose

• Notes:
  • Double Aged: Marzipan, Apricot, Golden Raisin
  • Triple Aged: Vanilla, Ratafia, Nutmeg
• Nosefeel:
  • Double Aged: Mentholated
  • Triple Aged: Peppery

Firstly, the Double Aged is quite bracing and mentholated in the nose feel. Expect some notes of marzipan, apricot, and golden raisin. Therefore, it seems to be heavily influenced by the palo cortado cask. It’s not overly intense, but it’s certainly present on the nasal receptors. Overall, it’s quite complex but nicely balanced.

Meanwhile, the Triple Aged has a bold vinous edge. There is a distinctive red raisin note and its nose feel feels quite peppery in comparison. There are spices with a bit of nutmeg as well as a soft vanilla hint.

It’s just as balanced as the Double Aged but features more complexity, especially given the vinous presence. I’ve likened its vinous quality to Ratafia, which is a French beverage made from the remains of grape must. While more intense in aroma, it’s generally softer on the nose.

Dos Maderas’ Palate & Mouthfeel

• Primary Taste:
  • Double Aged: Umami
  • Triple Aged: Sweet
• Mouthfeel:
  • Double Aged: Peppery
  • Triple Aged: Creamy
• Opening:
  • Double Aged: Conference Pear, Cinnamon, Mandarin
  • Triple Aged: Almond Oil, Red Grape, Orange Peel
• Heart:
  • Double Aged: Dried Apricot, Brine, Almond
  • Triple Aged: Raisin, Dark Chocolate, Marmalade
• Finish:
  • Double Aged: Cedar, Yeast, Butter
  • Triple Aged: Marzipan, Cinnamon, Salted Caramel

Double Aged Flavour Profile

Starting with the Double Aged, it has an overall umami primary flavour likely brought on by the palo cortado cask. Since I’ve mentioned a few types of sherry on several occasions, it’s probably worth checking out our guide to the different types of sherry if you don’t know about them yet.

As a result, the Double Aged is remarkably dry, which makes the mouthfeel feel a little coarse and peppery. However, it’s complex with a richly balanced harmony on the palate. The length of the finish is quite long.

Expect an opening of conference pear, cinnamon as well as mandarin. Meanwhile, the heart reveals dried apricot as well as its kernel, a hint of salty brine, and almond. Eventually, a finish of woody cedar and yeast marry nicely with a touch of butter.

Triple Aged Flavour Profile

As for the Triple Aged, it delivers a starkly different experience. In fact, it’s impossible to tell that it’s the same rum aside from two extra years of ageing in a different cask. Nevertheless, it may be a different blend given that the rums were sourced from several places.

Similarly, there might be some additives as mentioned above. However, that shouldn’t distract from the experience that it provides.

Firstly, it’s wonderfully sweet with an extremely smooth and creamy mouthfeel that coats the palate. It has just a little more complexity and a greater amount of flavour. Yet, given that it leans so much towards the sweeter side of the palate, the Double Aged is arguably more balanced.

The Triple Aged opens with a drizzle of almond oil, red grape, and orange peel. These notes then evolve to become more caramelised in the heart and produce raisin, marmalade, and dark chocolate. Towards the end, it leaves a finish of marzipan, cinnamon, and a touch of salted caramel.

Finally, you could argue that the two rums are linked by a few common notes, which are more prominent in the Double Aged than the Triple Aged. For instance, there’s a distinctive brine note in the Double Aged’s second third, which could be associated with the salted caramel in the Triple Aged’s finish.

Similarly, both have hints of almond throughout the experience, which you could argue are hallmarks of the palo cortado sherry.

How To Drink Dos Maderas

As a smoother experience overall, the Triple Aged is really best enjoyed neat whereas the Double Aged will be more versatile. However, we believe at Bespoke Unit that the best way to drink something is the way that you enjoy it the most. Nevertheless, we’re still taking the liberty of offering some suggestions.

Thanks to its lighter body and balanced structure, the Double Aged is a great cocktail ingredient but can also be sipped neat or on the rocks. Meanwhile, the Triple Aged has such a distinctive character that less experienced cocktail enthusiasts like myself may struggle with how to use it.

When sipping it neat, something like a Glencairn glass will be ideal as it offers a balance between nosing and enjoyment.

Dos Maderas Cocktail Suggestions

As mentioned above the Double Aged can be used for a few classic cocktails like a Dark and Stormy or a Cuba Libre. Meanwhile, the Triple Aged will be challenging but I think that it’d be a great choice in the winter as part of a hot buttered rum.

If you’re interested in more cocktail ideas, head to our guide to the best rum cocktails.

Best Pairings With Dos Maderas

Being both very different rums, the two Dos Maderas expressions don’t necessarily pair with the same things. For instance, the Triple Aged is a great accompaniment for desserts like sticky toffee pudding or dark chocolate. While the Double Aged would marry well with a key lime pie, its dry brine character would make it more suitable to fish pie.

As for cigars, I would suggest a New World Connecticut shade wrapper like the JC Newman Perla del Mar for the Double Aged. Meanwhile, the Triple Aged would benefit from a Cuban cigar with caramelised flavours and an equal level of character like the H. Upmann Magnum 54.

Overall Experience & Value For Money

Both rums use the same bottle, which features similar details pressed into the glass. Otherwise, the labels are quite different. The Double Aged has opted for a vintage-style map to illustrate how the rum has travelled during its production. Meanwhile, the Triple Aged has a far more premium and elegant appearance.

Additionally, the Triple Aged comes in a cardboard canister, which is stylishly presented with excellent attention to detail. Both rums also use the same good-quality cork, which has a wooden top with a vintage compass design.

Finally, expect to pay around $34 for the Double Aged and $44 for the Triple Aged. Given the quality that they offer as well as the unique experience, I’d argue that this price offers great value for money.

However, they might be somewhat difficult to find in the USA. That being said, they’re both visible on Drizly. The only caveat is that Drizly is dependent on what is sold locally to you!

Closing Thoughts

Remarkably different, the Dos Maderas rums each offer a unique experience that showcases the characteristic properties of sherry casking. While quite common for whisky, it’s somewhat of a rarity when it comes to rum. Therefore, these are original expressions that will provide you with something new.

For those who are fond of Diplomatico Exclusiva Reserva, consider trying the Dos Maderas Triple Aged as an alternative as there are some similarities. Meanwhile, if you want to try a dry and bracing rum, the Double Aged is a great choice, too!

Further Reading

Once you’ve finished reading our review, feel free to peruse our wide range of related content such as the following resources:

• More Rum Reviews
• Best Barware For Your Home
• Bespoke Unit Spirit & Liquor Homepage
• Bespoke Unit Wine Homepage