Diplomático
The Venezuelan rum often called the best sipping rum in the world. Everything about the varieties, alcohol percentages, how to drink them and the right glass to serve them in.
Rum from the foothills of the Venezuelan Andes
Diplomático is made in La Miel, at the foot of the Andes in western Venezuela. The distillery has an unusual combination of stills: column stills, pot stills and even a historic batch kettle from the 1950s. Blending distillates from these different stills creates the full-bodied, complex style the brand is known for.
The rum is made from both sugarcane molasses and sugarcane syrup, which gives it extra body, and is aged in American oak, ex-bourbon, ex-whisky and sherry casks. The bottles differ mainly in their proportions of heavy and light rums: Planas is white and robust at 47%, Mantuano is full-bodied and approachable, and Reserva Exclusiva is the classic sipping rum.
At a glance
What types of Diplomático are there?
Reserva Exclusiva
The best-known bottle: 80% heavy and 20% light rums, aged for twelve years. Fruitcake, rum-soaked raisins, cocoa, ginger, and cinnamon.
Mantuano
Lighter in style: 40% heavy and 60% light rums, aged for up to eight years in three types of casks. Dried fruit, wood, and vanilla.
Planas
Aged for up to six years and then charcoal-filtered to make it clear. Tropical fruit, coconut, and coffee, with a robust 47% ABV.
Seleccion de Familia
Aged for twelve years in American oak, ex-bourbon, and ex-sherry casks, made mainly from sugarcane syrup. The bottle for true rum lovers.
Reserva Exclusiva is the classic; Planas is the bottle to mix with.
Dried fruit, toffee, and cocoa
Fruitcake & cocoa
Rum-soaked raisins, fruitcake, and cocoa, with dried ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Rich and inviting.
Full and rounded
Full-bodied and slightly sweet, with toffee, vanilla, baked banana, and chocolate sauce. Smooth enough to drink neat, without tasting bland.
Long and warm
A long, warm finish with oak, spices, and a hint of citrus. Planas, by contrast, is dry and fresh.
Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva flavor profile. Mantuano is slightly lighter and drier; Planas scores 2/5 for sweetness and 5/5 for strength.
Three ways to drink Diplomático
Reserva Exclusiva is a sipping rum: drink it neat or with one ice cube. Planas, on the other hand, is made for mixing.
Neat at room temperature
4 cl Reserva Exclusiva in a cognac glass or tulip-shaped tasting glass. Warm the glass in your hand for a moment and sip slowly: that’s when the cocoa, toffee, and spices really come through.
Glass: cognac glass →On the rocks
Pour 5 cl over one large ice cube in a tumbler, with a piece of orange peel. The ice melts slowly and makes the rum fresher without taking away its body.
Glass: tumbler →As a Daiquiri with Planas
Shake 60 ml Diplomático Planas, 25 ml lime juice, and 15 ml sugar syrup hard with ice, then strain into a chilled coupe. The 47% ABV and tropical fruit make this an exceptional Daiquiri.
Go to recipe →The best cocktails with Diplomático
Daiquiri
White rum, lime, and sugar. With Planas, it's one of the best Daiquiris you can make at home.
Rum Old Fashioned
Rum, sugar, bitters, and a large ice cube. The aged rum replaces the whiskey here.
Mai Tai
Rum, lime, almond syrup, and orange liqueur. With good rum, it's a serious cocktail.
Dark 'n Stormy
Dark rum with ginger beer and lime. The ginger cuts through the sweetness.The right glass for Diplomático
A cognac glass or tulip-shaped tasting glass for sipping neat, a heavy tumbler for on the rocks, and a coupe for a Daiquiri. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything else you wanted to know about Diplomático
Can't find your question here? Browse our cocktail recipes or get in touch.
Go to the cocktail recipes →What percentage alcohol is in Diplomático?
Where does Diplomático come from?
What's the difference between Mantuano and Reserva Exclusiva?
Is Diplomático a sweetened rum?
Which Diplomático is best for cocktails?
How do you drink Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva?
Buy Diplomático
Want the bottle delivered straight to your door? Order Diplomático online from Gall & Gall.
Prices as of November 5, 2026, as reported by Gall & Gall. Check Gall & Gall for the current price and availability. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; it costs you nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.
