WARNING!!  Ron Añejo Aniversario Pampero is a rum for real rum drinkers.  That doesn’t mean that trying this stuff won’t turn you into one.  Aniversario tastes like a rum miracle.  And I believe, in some ways, it is.

     The Crowning achievement of the Pampero Rum Family, this very special rum was introduced in 1963 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Pampero.  The result of their extensive experience and knowledge in the art of rum making, this rum is a Special Reserve aged in oak barrels, with a mellow, smooth, and intensely rich flavor.  In limited production, each bottle is individually numbered, and is recognizable by its distinctive leather pouch.  Aniversario establishes a new category in the international rum market: a connoisseur’s sipping rum.

     Sipping this rum straight simply tastes great.  Holding it in your mouth and letting your tongue taste the full flavor of this rum brings a smile to your face.  I personally felt happier just knowing it was there.  I wanted to taste it more, and at the same time, craved another swallow.  But that may just be the alcoholic in me talking.

     Mixing it helps make the taste easier to handle for those who would find Aniversario to be a bit too rummy for their taste, but it doesn’t really add anything to the experience.  This rum isn’t one that really likes to be mixed with others.  It has such a great stand alone taste that mixing it takes away some of the magic.  Either way, it still has that great rum flavor.  It’s up to you to choose which way you can enjoy the most.

     Ron Añejo Aniversario Pampero also has a special added gift.  Is it the leather pouch?  No.  It’s the fact that it will give you that healthy “everything is okay” buzz that you need after a long day at the office, restaurant, school, playground, or wherever you may experience high stress levels.  The buzz it gives you is like having your mom rubbing your back and telling you to just ignore those kids at school because you really are special.  As another added bonus, the next day I barely had any idea that I had been drinking the night before.  For the price of $36, that seems like a fair trade.  It’s probably a little higher than you are used to paying for a 750mL bottle of rum, but it’s also a far serious rum than you are used to consuming.

     To sum everything up, if you are a rum drinker, this is a must buy.  If you aren’t a big rum drinker but want to see what a serious rum tastes like, buy it.  If you aren’t a huge rum fan and the other $17 rums put you in a world of hurt, then you might want to stay away from this one until you feel like growing up a bit.  Did I mention it comes in a leather bag?  Ron Añejo Aniversario Pampero is the rum gift that keeps on giving.

Sipability - 7.5

Mixability - 7.0

Drunkability - 7.5

Hangover-ability - 7.5

Bang for the Buck - 5.0

Overall - 7.5 

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     The Macallan 12 year is a single malt Scotch whiskey that is distilled in Speyside, Scotland and aged for a minimum of 12 years.  This Scotch is exclusively matured in Sherry oak casks that are imported from Jerez, Spain.  These specially-selected casks give The Macallan 12 year a rich golden color and a very complex taste that includes hints of dried fruits, spice, and chocolate orange.  

     When first cracking the bottle and taking a whiff, The Macallan 12 year reveals a light and pleasant fragrance.  You can easily make out the citrusy aroma that would suggest a light and simple taste.  When taking a sip, those notions immediately vanish.  I wouldn’t call the taste harsh, but it is definitely forceful when you are expecting something light and subtle.  The taste is in fact so forceful that it overpowers some of the complexities of the infused flavor.  This forceful taste places The Macallan in a category I have christened “Man-Scotch”.  It is definitely a Scotch drinker’s whiskey.  The casual Scotch drinker would most likely not enjoy the immediate and powerful flavor.  However, after the first drink, I began to easily pick out the citrus and spice flavors.  They proved to be very pleasant and immensely enjoyable the more I consumed.  The aftertaste is one of the more pleasant aftertastes that I have experienced from a similar Scotch in the same price range.  It really made my tongue happy and kept me thirsting for more.  

      At 86-proof (43% alcohol), The Macallan 12 year didn’t give me a sloppy or over-the-top drunk.  After a couple of drinks, I had a very nice and calming buzz.  After finishing the standard four drinks, this buzz was definitely more calming and a bit more noticeable, but I was a far cry from drunk.  Unlike some other liquors, it didn’t make me feel like removing my pants, but I certainly felt like royalty on the couch in front of the HD-TV.  Even though I didn’t technically feel drunk from The Macallan 12 year, the extremely pleasant and enduring buzz I received was enough to merit high marks in my book.  Though never drunk, I was still feeling the effects hours after consumption.  Even with the long-lasting buzz it brings to the table, The Macallan 12 did not give me any noticeable hangover the next day.  I really felt rested and ready to go again the next morning. 

     For around $58 for a 750mL bottle, The Macallan 12 year seems to be a bit overpriced for the taste it gives, but the long-lasting buzz paired with the lack of a hangover the next morning might make it worth its weight in gold to many consumers.  Although The Macallan 12 year would not be a good choice for a casual Scotch drinker, it is worth a try for any experienced Scotch drinker searching for a new single malt to add to the rotation.

Sipability - 7.5

Mixability - N/A

Drunkability - 8.0

Hangover-ability - 9.0

Bang for the Buck - 7.0

Overall - 8.0   

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      Before I start, I want to make a suggestion to the staff of Webster’s Dictionary.  They should make Sauza Añejo Conmemorativo a synonym for horrible. Maybe they can just paste a picture of the bottle next to the word.  This tequila tastes like you’re swallowing burnt styrofoam.  Mmm, delicious. How did this win a silver medal in 2004?  It must have been a slow year for tequila.

     Sauza Conmemorativo is a natural golden Añejo tequila.  It gets its powerful, intense taste and subtle color from maturing 18 months in oak bourbon casks.  Because of its distinctive flavor, it is more suited to those consumers who prefer a stronger tequila taste or for the more robust margarita and cocktail recipes.

     Like most tequilas, the first taste of Conmemorativo is not all that great, but the aftertaste … well, it’s horrible too.  This stuff is bad from start to finish.  At least it’s consistent.  And unfortunately, mixing it with Sprite© is not enough to battle back the attacking horde of burning tire flavor that is assaulting your taste buds.

     Now Sauza does have something going for it; it will give you that good buzz you have been trying to achieve all night.  But there is even a problem with that.  A good buzz was the best Sauza Conmemorativo could produce.  I had an empty stomach, and all it could do was provide me with that buzz.  Needless to say, that was another letdown.  I definitely didn’t get a hangover, and I didn’t even get drunk.  Forget trying to give it to girls for “party reasons”, as they will not like it.

     So at $29 a bottle, you are forced to pay a lot for very, very little.  It tastes bad, doesn’t get you drunk like every good tequila should, and will not better your chances with the ladies.  Should you buy this tequila?  No.  Should you drink this when out at the bar?  No.  Should you be involved with it in any way besides using the bottle to prop up that wobbly chair in your room?  No.  There are plenty of things you should try in your life, just do not make Sauza Añejo Conmemorativo one of them.

Shootability - 4.5

Mixability - 4.0

Drunkability - 5.0

Hangover-ability - 7.5

Bang for the Buck - 4.0

Chick-appeal - 4.0

Overall - 5.0

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