Overview
Brand: Gustoso
Origin: Gustoso Distillery, Michoacan, Mexico
Still: Pot & Column Blend
Age: NAS
Finish: n/a
ABV: 43%
Gustoso Artisanal Mexican Rum seemed to come out of nowhere and landed on shelves– at least in Memphis– sometime late last year. Per their website, Gustoso's rum is produced from "100% locally grown sugarcane grown exclusively in the highlands of Michoacan". It seems between Paranubes, Alambique Serrano, and a few smaller, newer brands, Gustoso joins a burgeoning cohort of Mexican producers.
Their aguardiente lineup features 3 expressions: an aged Añejo, a pot-distilled 100% fermented cane juice Guarapo, and today's review subject: Gustoso Blanco.
Gustoso Blanco is produced by blending rum produced using fresh-pressed and fermented cane juice in a pot still, and molasses-based column still rum*. Given that there's no age statement, it cannot be stated for sure if the resulting blend was rested or aged before being proofed down and bottled at 43% ABV.
* It should be noted that this info came from Gustoso's website (linked below), but the label– which seems to be a more recent design than what is featured on the web– says this is 100% sugarcane juice.
Appearance
Clear, medium viscosity
Nose
Coconut water, white wine vinegar, ethanol, black licorice, fresh sugarcane, aloe
Palate
Sugarcane, aloe, campfire smoke, white pepper, zested lime
Finish
Medium, slightly bitter, vegetal; aloe, sugarcane, peppercorn, smoke, black olives
Rating: 5/10
Summary
I really wanted to like Gustoso Blanco more than I do, although I appreciate that they're doing something fairly unique. The problem for me, is the notes are fairly faint and this otherwise is closer to a traditional unaged/lightly-aged molasses rum.
There are some differentiators that come throughout the experience: white wine vinegar, black licorice, aloe, white pepper, smoke. Black olives show up on the finish, making a connection to Paranubes but presenting a bit more subtlely.
Ultimately, the worst part about this rum is that it's a little "meh". It has unique notes but fails to make those really shine in the current expression. Regardless, I hope to see more expressions and development from Gustoso in the future.