cuban rum

A rum deal: Discover two new rums from Cuba

Delicious Cuban Rum thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers Colin Hampden-white

Words by Colin Hampden-White

Rum, it seems, is finally having its day. We are seeing more and more rum brands on the shelves of our supermarkets and even more being offered by specialist retailers. We are beginning to understand rum beyond white, dark and spiced. Although there are different rules for different countries producing rum, consumers are starting to recognise the styles from these varying countries. For example, Barbados is relaxed and easy going, Jamaica is a little funkier and high in esters, especially those rums from Trelawny district. There are countries producing rich full rums and others with a speciality in unaged expressions. There is a lot to get our head around, but it is a fun journey and gives the opportunity to excite our tastebuds.

This interest in rum is now extending to single casks from specific distilleries. Single casks of rum have been increasing in price over the last few years and many more bottlings of single cask rum can be found. I think it is a good time to invest in this category.

One country which is lesser known to us all is Cuba. With the exception of Havana Club, which produces many styles of rum, from white through to rich blends, we have seen no other brands outside of Cuba. A few bottles appear from time to time, but nothing of any real significance. All this has now changed. In the past, Havana Club has been on its own because, through a deal done with the Cuban Government, Pernod Ricard had the exclusive rights to markets Cuban rum under the Havana Club brand, outside of Cuba. This contract has now come to an end and there have been some exciting developments. I want to share two of those developments at different positions on the economic scale.

Eminente

Delicious Cuban Rum Eminente thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers Colin Hampden-white

Firstly, Moet Hennessey has recently launched a 7 year old Cuban rum called Eminente. It is a great piece of blending with rums that are at least seven years old. The story is all about Cuba and starts with César Martí. This master distiller is the youngest of the ten Maestros in Cuba and attained his position faster than any other Maestro in Cuban history taking only nine years. He is a bit of a star in the Cuban rum world. He grew up in the province of Villa Clara from where Eminente originates.

César creates extra complexity in Eminente by ageing and blending aguardientes. These are flavourful, complex distillates produced from molasses and distilled to 75% ABV. These are aged in oak barrels that were previously used to age whisky. These barrels are blended and then aged again with a little light Cuban rum which has been distilled to 96% ABV. The blend of light rums and aguardientes creates what we know as Cuban rum.

Eminente Reserva is aged for a minimum of seven years and is one of only a few Cuban rums that are classified ‘Denominación de Origen Protegida’ (D.O.P. Ron de Cuba).

The design of the bottle has been well thought out. It looks and feels good, with its crocodile skin textured glass and label showing the island, which is in the shape of the indigenous Cuban crocodile. The side label is reminiscent of a travel ticket and has the Maesto’s portrait.

The whole concept is well produced and, more than that, it also tastes wonderful.

Nose: Lots of spice up front with cinnamon being dominant. Dried fruits follow with chocolate, coffee and tobacco. There is sweet manuka honey in the background giving balance.

Palate: The sweetness is subtle, and the palate is fresh with floral hints overlaying the darker chocolate and coffee notes. There is a touch of smoke in the background, and the spices reappear towards the end of the palate.

Finish: A very long finish which is satisfying with lots of dark chocolate and a touch of sweet dark honey.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41.3%
Find here: £43.95

 Cubana No.1

Delicious Cuban Rum Atelier Cubana No.1 thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers Colin Hampden-white

My second discovery is a fascinating ode to Cuba. The ingredients come from Cuba, yet the distillation takes place in London. Using a Caribbean fermentation process, Cuban cigar tobacco, fermented limes and fermented cacao nibs, this creates a very special rum with huge amounts of complexity. This is the first release from Atelier called Cubana No.1. The heart of this rum comes from the small family farms in Cuba and the flavours show this authentic background.

The base spirit is a high ester rum from Jamaica which has been distilled from estate-harvested sugar cane. There are no artificial colours or flavours. There is also no added sugar. The distillation strength is very high at 79% and is reduced to a drinking strength of 52.6% giving lots of power but allowing the complexity to travel across the palate well.

Nose: Lots of aromatic spices, limes and mixed nuts come through first, followed by dried fruits of dates and raisins. There is a floral element of honeysuckle and passionflower. The background holds the deeper flavours of cigar smoke, leather and burnt wax. There are some very well-balanced umami aromas that develop if the rum is left to air for a while.

Palate: Cacao comes through immediately followed by dried fruits and a sherry note. Mulled flavours of spiced oranges and sweet pineapple mix with soft spices like saffron and turmeric. Again, there is the tobacco in the background lingering with other spices like cinnamon and cardamon, and a subtle sea salt on the very back of the palate.

Finish: The finish is very long, and the complexity continues with waves of spice, cacao and dried apricots. The salinity persists, and the tobacco comes out of the background to be more prevalent.

The story throughout is the Cuban cigar, distilled with cured black lime, fermented cacao nibs, transmitted via the Hi-Ester Rum fermented and distilled from cane juice. The result is a unique experience that embraces a balance between an aged rum and a humidor filled with the aroma of fresh cigars.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 52.6%
Find here: £250

For more of our rum guides check out: Brilliant Rums for Under £30 and 4 Stunning Rums from Around the World.

Best Rums to Elevate your Cocktails

Leith Rum

Best Rums for Cocktails Leith Rum thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

The Leith Spirits range grows once again with the addition of Leith Rum! Inspired by the maritime history of Edinburgh, this expression features a blend of tasty rum and Madagascan vanilla, which has helped to round out the spirits flavour profile and bolster its creamy, honeyed notes. Ought to go well in all sorts of cocktails and with a medley of mixers - particularly cola.

ABV: 40%
Buy it now for £39.95

Sailor Jerry

Best Rums for Cocktails Sailor Jerry thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

A spiced rum created by the famed tattoo artist 'Sailor Jerry' Collins. This is perhaps our favourite spiced rum and it makes an incredible spiced mojito! The recipe was recently changed, and made slightly less sweet, but spicier.

We know that some of you out there aren't so keen on the new recipe so here’s a tip, you can correct the flavour of the new version very easily by adding some dark sugar and vanilla essence to the bottle and giving it a good shake - it really does work!

ABV: 40%
Buy it now for £19.99

Lamb’s Navy Rum

Best Rums for Cocktails Lamb's Navy Rum thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Lamb's rum is a very good value for money Navy rum made with rums from Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. This dark rum covers all the bases. It’s got plenty of complexity from the blend of rums, which makes it stand out in a cocktail. It is smooth so it can be drunk over ice if need be, and the price versus quality ratio is brilliant. Drink up!

ABV: 40%
Buy it now for £17.54

Appleton Estate Classic White

Best Rums for Cocktails Appleton Estate Classic White Rum thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

I am bias towards rums made in Jamaica, as you will see from my last selection here, but for now here is one made in Kingston, Jamaica, Appleton Estate Classic White rum and it is exactly that; a classic white rum. Perfect for mixing, it wouldn't go amiss in a Yellow Submarine or a traditional mojito.

ABV: 40%
Buy it now for £17.83

Havana Club Añejo 7 Year Old

Best Rums for Cocktails Havana Club thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Feast your eyes upon Havana Club Añejo 7 Year Old, a wonderfully flavoursome Cuban rum that is no stranger to awards. Back when it was created, this was the first Havana Club expression that was intended for sipping neat rather than for using in cocktails and mixed drinks. Though saying that, if you think your cocktails could use an upgrade of rich, aged rum tastiness, this stuff is ace. We've been particular impressed when using it in place of a whiskey for Old Fashioned and Manhattan cocktails...

ABV: 40%
Buy it now for £25.84

Rumbullion!

Best Rums for Cocktails Rumbullion! thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

A sure-fire hit from Ableforth's, Rumbullion! is a warming spiced rum, based on the kind of rich, full-bodied rums the seafaring fraternity would have enjoyed centuries ago.

At its core lies a blend of the very finest high proof Caribbean rum, to which was added Madagascan vanilla and a generous helping of zesty orange peel and it is finished with a handful of cassia and cloves and just a hint of cardamom.

Rumbullion! proudly flaunts its maritime inspiration with a label that bears a hand-drawn illustration of a Navy grog tub, emblazoned with the words: “The Queen, God Bless Her”, each bottle is wrapped in crinkled brown paper, wound with twine and sealed with black wax. You can enjoy it neat, or with ice and a squeeze of fresh lime, but it makes amazing cocktails too.

ABV: 42.6%
Buy it now for £34.90

Hampden Estate Rum

Best Rums for Cocktails Hampden Estate Rum thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

I’ve not just chosen this rum because of the name! The Hampden Estate in Jamaica has long produced excellent aged rum, much of which goes into blends, making it a bit hard to come by (independent bottlers do sometimes get their hands on a few casks, mind). However, the time has come for the distillery to release some of its aged rum itself! This edition is made using pot still rum, is matured in Jamaica and bottled at 46% ABV - and it's excellent. It is a high ester rum with a blast of fruity tropical fruits which really stand out in a cocktail. It might be the most expensive rum on this list, but it’s definitely worth it.

ABV: 46%
Buy it now for £54.95

Stroh Inländer 80

Best Rums for Cocktails Stroh Rum thethreedrinkers.com the three drinkers

Yes, the 80 does mean 80% ABV. For those of you who like to have a lot of punch to a cocktail, and not just in the flavour department, Stroh 80 is an intense, fiery spiced rum from Austria, made with all kinds of spice extracts and essences. It is worth trying in warming hot chocolates, or in spicy cocktails such as the Jagertee. Drink it responsibly.

ABV: 80%
Buy it now for £29.20

If you’d like to explore some more from the world of rum, why not try 7 Rums that Scream Luxury or Brilliant Rums under £30