Overview
Brand: Tanduay
Origin: Tanduay Distillers, Inc., Cabuyao, Laguna, Phillipines
Still: Column
Age: NAS
Finish: ex-Bourbon
ABV: 40%
Today, we're looking at the world's largest rum brand (based on sales volume, as of 2021)– Tanduay. That's right, one may think a certain Puerto Rican brand, or one named after a nautical officer may be on top, but they'd be mistaken.
Tanduay Distillers, Inc. was founded in 1854 and used a distillery in Quiapo, Manila, to produce its first products. In 2013, this facility was decomissioned, and a bigger distillery was reopened in the city of Cabuyao. Tanduay makes a number of different spirits, including gin, vodka, brandy, whiskey, and of course, rum.
Tanduay Gold Asian Rum is an export product, and consists of a blend of rums that are aged up to 7 years in ex-Bourbon barrels, after production using homegrown sugarcane and the distillery's column still. My bottle was a gift from my friend Russell, who brought this back from the Phillipines.
According to the hydrometer test results on thefatrumpirate.com, this has 0-5g/L of added sugar. This is in the testing margin that rums without added sweeteners are measured at, meaning that this may have little to no additives.
Appearance
Gold, low viscosity
Nose
Vanilla, butterscotch candies, light maple syrup, toasted oak
Palate
Vanilla, butterscotch, orange peel, light brown sugar
Finish
Short, sweet, simple; vanilla, Luxardo Maraschino cherry syrup, cinnamon, butterscotch
Rating: 5/10
Summary
Tanduay Gold rum is a decent rum from a multi-spirit mass producer. It is pretty simple and unchallenging, offering a good short-aged rum experience.
The nose, palate, and finish are pretty homogenous with vanilla, butterscotch, and some form of light brown sugar flavor throughout. Toasted oak can be susses out of the nose, and the finish offers a syrupy note, similar to Luxardo Maraschino cherries.
This is certainly a decent mixing rum, but is enjoyable enough to sip on neat or on the rocks, if that's your preference.