Dulseda

Category: Cream
Country: Caribbean
Aged: Unknown, likely none
Alcohol: 15% (30 proof)
Availability: Almost Everywhere
Price: $20-$25 (750 mL)

Appearance (0-5): 5
Aroma (0-25): 22
Taste (0-35): 30
Smoothness (0-10): 8
Body (0-5): 4
Overall Quality (0-20): 17
Machete Rating (0-100): 86

Notes: OK, so this, like most rum creams, isn't wholly rum, per se - this one in particular "made from a blend of Caribbean rums" - but I don't care... this stuff is crazy delicious. It's exactly what you would expect it to taste like from reading the label on the attractive bottle: Dulce de Leche cream liqueur. A sweet caramel aroma pulls you in, and every cavity-inducing taste makes you want yet another sip. There's no serious complexity to it - vanilla, cream, caramel, maybe an additional hint of coffee - but its simple creamy richness is great as is. Being a mere 30 proof might not get you where you want to be, but try this cocktail, which I call "Three Kings," over the holidays and you're sure to make it an annual tradition: over ice pour 1-2 parts Dulseda, 1 part gold/dark rum (I like using Brugal Añejo), 1 part egg nog, stir in a half-dollop of homemade dulce de leche and top with a dash of freshly grated nutmeg. Money.

Reviewed: December 2006