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Abuelo 12 Años
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Newcomers and anyone who likes an easy, sweet sipper will get along with this one fast. It's caramel-forward with raisins, vanilla and a roasted, faintly smoky Panama edge that grows in the glass. Members call it "very nice rum for daily drinking," round and syrupy. The catch a few flag: the sweetness leans candy-like and it can feel a touch shallow next to bigger rums.
The community says- Easy sweet caramel
- Great in cola
- But: Added sugar
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Abuelo 12 Años at live auctions
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How does Abuelo 12 Años taste?
Summarized by AI from community reviews.
Sweet, caramel-heavy easy Panama sipper Most find it an easy, sweet daily pour with caramel, raisins and a smoky Panama edge. Loved by beginners; some seasoned drinkers wish it were less sweet and deeper.
Aroma profilePeople who like sweet, soft, easy sippers and Cuba Libres
Anyone avoiding added sugar or wanting a dry, deep rum
Style & occasion: Mature & oakySipping neatCocktails & mixing
Full aroma profile Aroma families · nose & palate · top aromas
Relative to this rum's strongest aroma family
66 of 278 left detailed tasting impressions · Click an aroma to explore similar rums
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Recommendation
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What does the community say?
278 community reviews
50 selected write-ups on this page, all of them in the RumX app
One of the community's most-rated rums
Rate it in the appPositive from 8.0 · Mixed 6.0–7.9 · Critical below 6.0
Review by Jasper van den Bovenkamp
Most helpful positive review
Beginning rum drinker here. I found this rum very pleasant. Lightly sweet, round and accessible, but also rich in different flavors: I smelled and tasted honey, licorice, wood, a hint of smoke. A full mouthfeel and a soft, warm finish that lingered nicely on the tongue. Recommended!
Review by Stefan Persson
Most helpful critical review
I think it’s a quite mediocre rum relaying on sugar. It has definitely tastes similar to other Panama rums, but it’s weaker than the ones I like. Picture: From a blind test with Ian Burrell at Birka Cruises.
Review by LukaŽiga
8:On the nose, this rum reveals pleasant aromas of smoke, dried fruits, gourmet caramel, milk chocolate and roasted wood.On the next step, there is tobacco, bitter orange, sweet yellow fruits by bourbon ageing and some sweet spices, perhaps some vegetal notes... Nicely balanced. Aeration brings out notes of nuts (hazelnut), maybe nougat and green pepper, as it becomes a bit dry, with a pinch of perfume, after some rest, there is ripe, maybe candied banana and some tea notes! 7,9:On the palate, the attack is supple and even slightly sweet with dried fruits, then come gourmet caramel, nuts, nougat, if we put them together, this would make toffee, some coffee and sweet spices .It is simple, but pleasant, however and round. 7,9:The finish is caramel embelished that has followed us throughout the tasting, a bit dry, the woodiness comes back, as tobacco and nuts, dried fruits, as sweetness abates, complemented with a whiff of smoke. Looking at some reviews, maybe I have some late version of this rum, as it is not so damn' sweet. I like it, as I don't drink, prefer sweetened rums for quite some time. Edit:20.8.25, 3.10.25, 10.6.26
Review by Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
This is another of the good low cost rums out there and as time has progressed my score has gone up for this rum. In my mind very well balanced especially if you consider the price tag on it. This one I would also consider a rum for both beginners as well as those more picky in rums.
Review by Tim
Solid Panama rum without big surprises. When it’s been in the glass long enough, besides raisin, cocoa, and brown sugar, you also get a good dose of roasted/smoky aromas (tobacco, coffee). On the mouth somewhat sweet, but mainly spicy, roasted, and smoky. Overall good value for money! Conclusion: Nose quite good, mouthfeel mediocre.
Review by Rumpalumpa
A very sweet candidate, but a tasty one. Typical Panamanian roasted/smoky nose and flavor. I'm a big fan of this style that comes through very nicely here. It's also really affordable at around 25€. Would be great to try it with less sugar though
Review by Gregor
For me unfortunately way too sweet. But an exciting distillate. Would like to try it once without dosage. And especially with a few more degrees. 37.5 is way too weak. So no purchase recommendation from me.
Review by Oliver
Pleasant and drinkable Spanish beer. Excellent in the "Cuba" Libre.
Review by crazyforgoodbooze
Solid Panama sipping rum. Good price performance, not too overly sweet and makes great cocktails like Mojito, Cuba libre, old cuban and co. Can be bought without hesitation. For me the best from abuelo in terms of plv.
Review by TheRhumhoe
A key figure in Hispanic rums, Abuelo offers here a smooth, inexpensive rum with a sweet, vanilla, caramelized, slightly roasted nose of tobacco and dried fruit, with a hint of exotic fruit. A very comfortable nose for beginners. The attack on the palate is almost liquorish, with notes of sherry, chocolate, caramel, dried fruit, nuts, sweet spices and smoky oak. It's like sipping a sweet. The finish is syrupy, with sugar, chocolate, spices, wood and smoke. It's not a revolutionary rum, but it has the merit of being drinkable and of offering a few flavors that other rons don't have.
Review by Maxi
Nose: First impression: Intense vanilla notes that almost seem artificial. Caramel and buttery pastry complement each other. After a short time, fruity notes come through. Taste: First impression: Sweet, vanilla, caramel. Pleasant mouthfeel. A strong spiciness combines with light coffee notes and dark chocolate. Finish: Spiciness combined with sweetness. Warm mouthfeel.
Review by Mc Pirate
Magnificent nose, on vanilla and banana and a hint of ester, strange for a 40 degree... Full and warm mouth with a very beautiful touch of flambéed bananas. Short finish but on the grilled.
Review by MarcT
Typical Panama Spanish style.
Review by Werner10
It's ok for what it costs, but i prefer to spend more to get something better. Sweet, molasses, caramel. Also a tiny bit of a bitter twist in the finish.
Review by Johannes
A bit sweet, but drinkable.
Review by Torsten vom Endt
Not my thing, too sweet and little fruity. No really clear smell of anything special. Actually too little of everything to convince. A 6.5 with difficulty because it's okay as a "Cuba Libre" but too expensive for that.
Review by Blaidor
Smell 7,5/10 Taste 7/10 Aftertaste 7/10 Image 6,5/10 (info about rum, bottle, carton-box, sugar free, marketing....) Total impression 7/10 ------------------ BTL Added sugar 👎
Review by Vincent D
I expected a very standard and characterless rum. It is actually a rather pleasant Ron. Easy and without big surprises but quite nice: vanilla, woody, caramel, dried fruits, etc. rather nice.
Review by passlemix
A very easy rum, almost too easy, the bottle was brought by a friend, finished in one evening and the rum enjoyed neat by a whole panel of guests, beginners and non-beginners alike. Not necessarily my kind of juice but it still has undeniable qualities.
Review by Jakob Deiner
Woody, slightly vanilla, but also smoky and fruity notes in smell and taste, the first sip kicks with sweetness, but not unpleasantly. Recommended by ChatGPT as a middle ground between two of my favorites, Havana 7 and El Dorado 12. Not entirely wrong (neat), but unfortunately doesn't work for me in Cola (Zero), which amplifies the - neat slight - smoky note too much. Drinks: - Neat: 3.5/5 - On the rocks: 3/5 - Rum Cola: 3.5/5 (a bit too smoky for me) - Rum Mule: 3/5 (smoky note comes back)
Review by rum_sk
Sweet at the beginning but then a just a little bit bitter at the end. Taste of raisins and prunes predominantly with hints of vanilla and caramrl/nougat. In the nose you can smell raisins in rum / prunes and wood as well. It is very simillar to Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva however, with a nuances of different tones in nose and taste. Finish is medium to long in time of first tasting. Retaste: Last drops from the bottle, it is an ok rum but something that I would not be seeking to get more in the future.
Review by Tupiaz
On the nose, there is dark dried fruit raisin and a clear sweetness. Together it offers it all. However, it's not very deep.
Review by Robert Mallander
An interesting finish that I can't really pin down, well worth a second attempt.
Review by nick_nick1
Leicht holzig mit etwas Rauch. Angenehme Schärfe. Durch aus eine Flasche wert
Review by Nicola Zagolin
One of the best tasted so far, unparalleled quality price
Review by Adam Rajchert
Aroma okay, taste too, sugar level makes you want to drink it in shots rather than neat. Smell: sweet candied orange peels, toffee, nail polish remover, cherries. Taste: fruity, toffee, apples, vanilla, amaretto, full sweetness, warming, nail polish remover, raisins, nuts, a bit of leather, apple peel Finish: candied fruits, dried fruits, vanilla
Review by Cédric Meyers
We are very strong on ripe fruit, plum and prunes both on the nose and on the palate. Very light caramel. Not bad but not wow.
Review by High Ester Maitai
On nose caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, and some wood In taste sweetness, caramel is partly balance, by wood, cacao and spice. Then there is some sherry, dried fruits and walnuts there are subtle. Finish is short to medium with tosty wood and dark chocolate This rum is sweet, but not too sweet. It is simple rum, but pretty good. For me it should be less sweet to be more balance. Caramel, wood and spice aren't complex, but there are distinct. Some notes of wine are nice, but I would not consider this rum a good example of sherry finish rum. Nice sipper
Review by Decky Hicks Doughty
The nose has lots of sweet rasins and black cavendish tobacco followed by fresh orange peel and guava. Big hits of sherry on the palate with strong barrel notes followed by dark chocolate with cherry. The finish has some Length to it. Quite earthy and smoky. Overall, not bad at all. I like the dark chocolate and cherry on the palate but it could be rounder.
Review by Anthony
Abuelo 12 ans est très sympa , épicé, gourmand et sucré le combo parfait ! le caramel et la vanille sont bien présent. Je valide et recommande !🥃
Review by Hans-Peter Jank
Quite interesting and pleasantly balanced for the affordable Oreid
Review by Jindrich Strobl
This is very nice rum for daily drinking for general audience.
Review by Rumclub Latvia
Misleading age statement ☝️ not minimum age
Review by Jeremy Hayes
Not as good as their cask rums but solid.
Review by Mathieu C.
Caramel Boisé
Review by Rhum Mirror 🇧🇪
Cela faisait longtemps que je ne m’étais plus plongé dans un Ron et Selvam nous a amené cet Abuelo 12 du Panama. Au nez on sent directement le caramel. Et cela ne fait aucun doute en bouche, cela est omniprésent. C’est rond, moelleux. Cela se boit comme du petit lait. Ok c’est additivé avec un peu de sucre, c’est la raison pour laquelle il est si doux et facile à boire. Mais c’est bon, bien entouré, lors d’une belle longue soirée d’été.
Review by StefanR
The Abuelo 12 is a wonderfully smooth and cozy Panama rum. Caramel, vanilla, and raisins meet dried fruits, chocolate, and roasted nuts. A bit of tobacco and smoky oak provide a nice counterpoint to the distinct sweetness. I especially like its uncomplicated, rounded character – not a rum that loudly demands attention, but one where you lean back relaxed and suddenly pour yourself another glass.
Review by Anonymous
Typical slightly sweet Panamanian rum. Not really my type, not bad at all, but I wouldn't call it outstanding either, kind of a grey mouse, neither outstanding nor bad, just there. I think there are better rums in this category. I don't think I would buy it myself, but if offered, I'd accept it.
Review by Emilien
Description: tasted in a rum bar Nose: chocolate Palate: caramel, sweet, spicy at first sip, chocolate and round Finish: round chocolate Conclusion: nice, sipping rum
Review by Yannick CULTOT
Pleasant and balanced rum on the palate. Woody notes are very present, which is its charm.
Review by Rado Vito
This is a great choice for begginers. It is sweet, good, cheap. Go for it. Start your journey.
Review by JonasTh
A bit sweeter than Abuelo XII two oaks. Taste-wise quite okay.
Review by MJ72
Woody on the nose, a bit of chocolate on the palate and finish.
Review by Oli Dekrell
Overall too dry
Review by Rummiamo
A quite plain rum, not badante, but i raccomand it to people who are user to very smooth rum on the sweet side. Some spice, vanilla and not so much further. The little brother, 7 years old, is more and more interesting.
Review by Noname971
Bon rhum. Au nez très agréable, effluves de caramel manifestent. Au second nez des notes de boisé apparaissent. En bouche il est doux et plutôt agréable très fruité, moelleux, le caramel reste présent. Finale très correcte se terminant sur du boisé et des notes d épices. Bon mais tout de même un peu trop sucré à la longue, dommage
Review by Franz DRESCHER
Sweet but not intrusive, slightly medicinal/alcoholic, woody, leathery, yet overall round. However, it lacks a certain depth. Overall a solid taste experience and definitely in this price range.
Review by Roman Staroń
Drinkable and satisfying but nothing spectacular.
Review by Osito Polar
Very price worth
Review by Kasper
For the small price of this bottle I'm pleasantly surprised. Distinct spirits for the ABV, followed by smoked barrel and a pleasant caramelised fruity citrus sweetness and a longer taste than expected. Not at all bad for a sweet rum.
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Community shelf
485 bottles logged by 462 collectors.
A drinker's rum.
42% opened, 72 emptied.
What does Abuelo 12 Años cost?
Community paid 24–48 €.
Current best price: 27.44 € – within the typical community range.
Purchase prices reported by members, not a shop price. Avg. 28 €. Full price & collection history in RX+ ›
+17 purchases in the last 3 months.
Added to collections, last 12 months — dark bars are the last 3.
485 purchased · 305 tasted · 132 wishlist · as of
Details about Abuelo 12 Años
A Column Still Rum from Panama, distilled by Varela Hermanos, at 40%.
About the Varela Hermanos distillery
The Varela Hermanos distillery is located in Panama. Rums from Varela Hermanos have been reviewed 1,397 times with an average of 7.5/10.
To Varela Hermanos ›Read on in the RumX Guide
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Flor de Caña 12 Años
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I'm Oliver, and RumX began in 2018 as a small passion project in Stuttgart, back then under the name Rum Tasting Notes.
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