Dictador is produced in Cartagena, Colombia, a city whose rum heritage stretches back to the Spanish colonial era. The 20 Year Old uses a solera system — the fractional blending method borrowed from the sherry world — with rums aged for up to twenty years contributing to the blend. It should be noted that the "20" refers to the oldest component in the solera rather than the average age of the rum, which is significantly younger. This is a common practice but one that deserves transparency.
The rum is made from virgin sugarcane honey — the first pressing of local sugarcane — and distilled in both copper pot stills and continuous column stills. The solera ageing takes place in a combination of former bourbon and sherry casks in Cartagena's tropical climate. Independent analysis has shown that Dictador adds sugar to its rum, which contributes to the opulent sweetness that defines the brand's character.
On the Nose
The nose is rich and enveloping. Dark caramel and toffee dominate, joined by vanilla, brown sugar, and a luscious dark honey quality. There is dried fruit — raisin and fig — and a warm baking spice of cinnamon and nutmeg. The sherry cask influence contributes a dark fruit and nut character, while a gentle coffee note adds depth. The overall nose is opulent and sweet, more reminiscent of a liqueur than an unsweetened spirit.
The Palate
On the palate, Dictador 20 is smooth, rich, and unabashedly sweet. The entry is all caramel, toffee, and dark honey, coating the tongue with an almost confectionery sweetness. Vanilla and butterscotch build on the mid-palate, while the oak provides cinnamon, a gentle tannin, and a coconut quality. Dark chocolate and coffee add depth and a touch of bitterness that partially balances the sweetness. The mouthfeel is full-bodied and viscous, with a syrupy quality that the added sugar enhances. At 40% ABV, there is warmth but no heat.
The Finish
The finish is long, with caramel and dark chocolate persisting alongside a gentle oak dryness. The sweetness mellows gradually, leaving cinnamon and coffee as the final impression. The finish is satisfying and smooth, if somewhat predictable in its sweetness.
Dictador 20 is a rum that will divide opinion along predictable lines. Those who enjoy rich, sweet, dessert-like spirits will find it deeply satisfying — on the rocks after dinner, it is genuinely luxurious. Those who prefer transparency and drier, more austere profiles will find the added sugar and solera age statement frustrating. Judge it on what is in the glass rather than what is on the label, and Dictador 20 is an undeniably well-crafted sweet rum. Whether that is what you want from your rum is a matter of personal philosophy.
