Overview
Brand: Alambique Serrano
Origin: Distillería de Rommel Krassel, Santa María Tlalixtac, Oaxaca, Mexico
Still: Pot & Krassel Blend
Age: NAS
Finish: ex-Mezcal, ex-Bourbon, & virgin French Oak
ABV: 63.4%
We're back with Oaxaca-based Alambique Serrano, reviewing another one of their unique sugarcane juice-based rums. This time, Jason and the Krassel brothers decided to have some fun and add a name to this bottling.
If my Google translating skills are to be trusted, "Matadiablo" translates to "kill-devil" or "devil killer"; I'd lean towards the former as the intended name, as that was the early name of rum in the 1600s. Alambique Serrano Matadiablo is the project's third blend, and features rum produced by Rommel, Axel, and William Krassel. The blend breaks down according to this table:
| Percentage | Still | Age | Cask type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32% | Pot | 6 months | ex-Mezcal |
| 27% | Pot | 1 year, 7 months | new French Oak |
| 23% | Pot | 1 year, 5 months | new French Oak |
| 18% | Krassel | 1 year, 9 months | ex-Bourbon |
All blend components were produced from a sugarcane juice base at the Krassel's facility in Santa María Tlalixtac. After aging in their respective casks, the rums were blended as detailed, before being bottled at 63.4% ABV.
Appearance
Dark gold, medium-low viscosity
Nose
Fresh cane juice, artificial watermelon, aloe, nutmeg, roasted green bell pepper
Palate
Toasted sugarcane, artificial watermelon, roasted green bell pepper, aloe, cinnamon, agave syrup
Finish
Medium-long, herbal, slightly bitter; bay leaf, artificial watermelon, aloe, toasted cane, nutmeg
Rating: 8/10
Summary
Matadiablo is another excellent Oaxacan rum from Alambique Serrano. While maturation in specialty casks may take the spotlight from the underlying distillate, that is not the case here; the three casks pair together splendidly.
Alongside fresh and toasted sugarcane, I get a dose of artificial watermelon flavor that many associated with Alambique Serrano's Pico Canoa release. Aloe, green bell pepper, and some more subtle spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and bay leaf provide herbal and earthy notes as well. There's only a hint of overt Mezcal cask influence, typically on the back palate and finish, with a slight smokiness and green plant element that gives complexity to this impressive rum.
The Krassels have done it again with an artfully crafted blend of their rums. I would certainly recommend this to fans of their other bottles, since it brings something different to the table.