GSN Review: Facundo Neo & Eximo Rums

The Bacardi company has been crafting fine rums since 1862 when it was founded by Don Facundo Bacardi Massó.  It is his given name that is used in tribute to this latest collection of rare limited release sipping rums.  There are four expressions available, two of which were sent to the GSN offices for review at this time.

Neo is a blend of rums aged between one to eight years and then filtered to remove all traces of coloration.  Eximo is interesting in that is was blended from unaged and young aged rums, and then aged again for ten years.

NEO (80 proof)
Visual: Clear.
Nose: Tropical notes with a heady dose of fresh lime, spun sugar candy, marshmallow, and even a hint of black licorice.
Taste: Viscous mouthfeel with a depth unlike any rum I’ve come across.  This tastes like it’s been distilled only twice, leaving a lot of the character of the cane molasses intact.  Sweet, but also tempered with a slightly grassy and bitter edge.  The lime nose that I detected comes through here in the flavor towards the end, making the whole effect quite refreshing and yet rich.
Finish: Medium long with a slight warming ginger root tang on the back of the palate.
Overall: An amazing rum that is well worth adding to your collection.  I hesitate to recommend this in a highball, but it will shine in a Daiquiri.  But, to truly appreciate, you should just sip neat at room temperature.
GSN Rating: A

Eximo (80 proof)
Visual: Copper.
Nose: Raspberry, blackberry, baking spice, and vanilla.
Taste: Immediate berry fruit flavor that leads into cinnamon, then caramel corn, and finishing with a touch of toasted vanilla bean.  Very interesting.  Very, very easy to drink and lovely in a rum old-fashioned, or just straight with a large single cube of ice.
Finish: It goes on for a good long while with a lot more of the wood and spice character coming through.  A perfect rum for the transition between summer and autumn.
Overall: Another truly fine rum that stands on its own without any need to mix it.  One taste, and you’ll be hooked.  Best get a bottle ASAP.
GSN Rating: A

For more information go to: Facundo Rum