Mantuano is an excellent blended rum aged up to eight years in white oak casks, which were formerly used to age bourbons and malt whiskies. It combines column, batch boiler and still distillates made from molasses and sugar cane honeys.
Diplomático's identity is rooted in deep family values and a genuine commitment to quality. Every drop is steeped in a rich distilling heritage and rum tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation to create the smooth, unique flavor that has made them one of the world's favorite and most awarded super premium rums.
The Diplomático distillery is located at the foot of the Andes Mountains in Venezuela, a privileged place for rum production. The area enjoys excellent conditions for growing sugar cane and producing rum, with fertile land, abundant water and a tropical climate. Founded in 1959, it is unique in that it is home to three different distillation processes that combine to produce unique rums. Sugar cane is the main raw material in the production of rum. At Diplomático we only use sugar cane from our own harvest. Different varieties where the most important for us is the "Caña Diplomática", a strain ideally adapted to our environmental conditions, to obtain the best results by obtaining two different products to make our rums: cane honey for complex and heavy rums, and molasses for light rums. The key difference between the two is the sugar. Fermentation is the part of the process by which sugar is converted into alcohol, a crucial stage in which most of the aromatic compounds are created.
Fermentation is carried out using our own yeast strain, which allows us to shape the character of our different rums from the beginning, elaborating the exact aromatic profile we desire.
Most of the flavors and aromas found in rum are created during the aging process. Diplomático's facilities are located in a privileged microclimate that allows for optimal maturation. The type of barrels we use also plays a key role in giving our rums their unique character. We use three different types of barrels to age our rums: ex-bourbon, ex-malt whisky and new American oak; and a precious selection of old Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks.
Don Juan Meléndez ("Don Juancho") is the legendary figure who inspired the creation of Diplomático. According to local stories, he was a mantuano - a local nobleman - passionate about exploring the sources, ingredients and methods behind the many seductive flavors of rum and other traditional drinks.
It is said that he became famous for his impressive collection of drinks known as "the Ambassador's reserves", which he liked to share with his closest friends, guided by his gentlemanliness and authentic personality.
Today, Diplomático rums bear the portrait of Don Juancho, and the brand is driven by the passion and values that were his hallmark.
