Info Shots

• Price: ~$329.99 (2024)
• Spirit: XA Rum
• Proof: 80 (40% alcohol)
• Noses (smell): Sugar Cane, Bananna, Sweetness to the nose (Akin to marzipan or vanilla almonds)
• Palate (taste): Marzipan, Vanilla, Sugar Cane (or Molasis), Almonds, Dried Raisin, Cherry (sweetness notes)
• Age Statement: 15 – 23 years (Solera Aging)(Blend)

Background

This bottle is quite an enigma to me as at this point it is safe to say that this line is being discontinued slowly and silently. Why I come to this conclusion is the given facts that occurred when performing research for this bottle. This line first come onto the market in 2013 with the release of four products under the brand Facundo. These products include Neo, Eximo, Exquisito, and lastly Paraiso. Each is a step up in quality from the rest and the pinnacle is this bottle.

This however leads to the issue with information and marketing. Marketing from other sites get this information wrong from what I am able to find as they will state that the age is anything older than 23 years old. Unfortunately, there is no information backing this change as previously the statement from the website that used to exist stated the following age statement for each with regards to each products

• Neo: Less than 3 years
• Eximo: 3 – 7 years
• Exquisito: 7 – 15 years
• Paradiso: 15 – 23 years

Beyond this lack of information from the manufacturer also includes that in sometime after 2019 – 2020 the site that used to host Facundo also went down and no longer points to products on their website. It in turn redirect to Bacardi’s products where there is no mention of the Facundo products. This also kind of backed up by the number of batches that appear to have been produced. So far there are only six batches that we can confirm primarily by their existence from other owners. Each batch consisted of 2000 bottles per run and we released roughly with accordance per a yearly release. The following is a breakdown of that release

• Batch A: 2013
• Batch B: 2014
• Batch C: 2015
• Batch D: 2016
• Batch E: 2017
• Batch F: 2018
• Batch G: 2019
• Batch H: 2020

It does appear that about the same time that Batch H came on the market that this product also disappeared and that was either due to Bacardi running out of these barrels or stock to make more or that the product didn’t met expectation anymore and they are moving on to something else. It’s hard to tell, but what we can tell as of today (2024 at the time of this review) is that the product appears to be gone and what stock is out there is what is left.

You also with the package get a nice faux-leather box and pedestal that is a nice addition to both presentations, but I know some people don’t care about the boxes. On top of this the bottle is also adorned in beautiful glass sculpture of both the logo, various plantations and I believe the distillery (though don’t quote me on that as I am no Bacardi history buff)

Onto the Review

Temperature

The nose on this one is very forward on how sweet it smells. Immediate notes of vanilla and sugar cane come to mind. Someone else told me what I initially described was also marzipan, or a European almond sweet treat / candy that is popular there. One huge thing to note that is particular interesting when comparing this against other spirits is the lack of ethanol or “Singeing of nose hairs” you get from sniffing this rum. Its lacks that harshness that I have come to get used to with other spirits and its surprising to say it’s not here at all.

The taste continues with that same sweet vanilla on the tongue followed by dryness that we get from the rum. Its Cognac finish does appear to be present but merely subtle when compared. It does continue to fire off flavors for a bit, but they are very light when talking in comparison to something like a rich whiskey. I continue to get this nutty rum flavor that is sweet during that finish with what can only be described as grapes or dried raison flavors every now and again.

On second sip I get this very refined rum flavors that is still not harsh at all. A silky finish that is like eating milk chocolates, vanilla and almond flavors like that of marzipan. Some say cherry, but that I want to akin to something of the sweetness that spikes upon trying. I can see some people say hazelnuts as well due to the nutty rum flavor that are present.

Hands down this overall in taste and nose is absolutely wonderful to both sip and enjoy and certainly worth celebrating with. I will say that due to the delicate flavors of this rum I would certainly recommend starting with this first if you intend to enjoy anything else. You will absolutely ruin anything and I mean ANYTHING that is this rum. It is meant to be enjoyed solely by itself. I am certainly leaving certain flavors as each sip I seem to find something else new about it and that the fun in drinking this wonderful bottle.

Conclusion

So, this is where I will split and divide people with as I certainly love what this rum is and what it set out to do. This is a tribute line that is made of the older Bacardi’s that are out there. The main argument however is that it cost $300 or even when it first released at $250. The argument can be made that there are cheaper options, especially cheaper 20 and 25-years rums such as El Dorado or Flor De Cana. I have myself seen rums that were 25 years for just shy of a hundred bucks. However, this certainly, has a step above the rest when it comes to the quality of rum you are paying for.

You absolutely get no harsh note, a silky-smooth rum that just screams to be enjoyed with every sip. For some that will disappoint and if that is not what you are looking for then this one is a skip. The rich flavors are subtle, but well balanced with every sip. Each sip I find myself find more things to enjoy, whether that’s the vanilla or the silky rum taste that I’ve come to enjoy.

This one is certainly one of those that I would recommend for celebrations or even a promotion. Now myself will leave uniqueness split as there are others that do match this in terms of things I like with regards to flavors of rum, amount of vanilla, etc. But this rum takes those and makes them more refined than the others. If it’s still available when I run out, I’ll replace it, but when these stops appearing on the shelf and I have run out, it will be a sad day indeed for me for sure.

* Had to make a revision to the original post. The site that originally showed off the Facundo Paradiso has since been scrubed from Bacardi’s own website and portfolio as it would seem. I have updated my website and removed the distiller information on the bottle as it was redirecting to a broken page. (April 2025)