Ron Cristobal Santa Maria Calvados Finish Dominican Republic Rum 70 cl 42%

Apple orchards in Normandy meet sugar cane from the Dominican Republic. The Santa Maria series is where Ron Cristobal dares to experiment, and this Calvados cask gives the rum a streak of fresh fruit rarely found elsewhere in the range.

Expert Description

Ron Cristobal Santa Maria Calvados Finish is a Dominican Rum finished in French Calvados casks and bottled at 42%.

The bottle belongs to the Santa Maria series, Ron Cristobal's prestige line, where each release gets an extra maturation in a chosen cask after the base ageing in the Dominican Republic. The base spirit was distilled in 2010 at Alcoholes Finos Dominicanos and rested in oak casks before being transferred to Calvados casks that previously held apple brandy from Normandy. Bottling took place in June 2024 with a total outturn of 2,192 bottles, making this a limited release.

The Calvados cask pulls a different character forward than the classic sherry and port finishes the series is known for. The apple acidity from the cask lays a fresh layer over the rum's natural sweetness, while the cask's former brandy content adds a touch of warmth without weighing the rum down.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Green apples and a light acidity meet caramel and soft vanilla, with a hint of freshly baked apple pie in the background.

Palate

Full and round with ripe apples, brown sugar and a lightly spiced warmth from the cask that ties the rum's sweetness together with its Calvados heritage.

Finish

Long and dry, where the apple notes fade out alongside a hint of oak and a touch of pepper.

Specifications

Name: Ron Cristobal Santa Maria Calvados Finish
Distillery: Ron Cristobal
Region/Country: Dominican Republic
Type: Rum
ABV: 42%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Oak casks finished in Calvados casks
Distilled: 2010
Bottled: June 2024
Number of bottles: 2,192
Edition: Santa Maria series
Serving Suggestion: Best enjoyed neat at room temperature or with a single ice cube

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Vanilla-sweet · Finished · Round · Lightly spiced

Did You Know?

The Calvados cask used for this Santa Maria edition previously held apple brandy from the very Normandy orchards that gave the spirit its name, a crossover between two entirely different crafts: cider and sugar cane.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Ron Cristobal Santa Maria Calvados Finish

What is Ron Cristobal Santa Maria Calvados Finish?

It's a Dominican Rum from Ron Cristobal's Santa Maria series, where the rum gets an extra maturation in French Calvados casks after standard oak ageing. It's bottled at 42% and part of a limited release of only 2,192 bottles.

How many bottles were produced?

2,192 bottles were released in June 2024. Once sold, this particular Calvados finish will not be replenished.

What does the Calvados cask do to the flavour?

The cask, which previously held apple brandy, gives the rum a layer of green apple and light acidity that balances the natural sweetness of the sugar cane. The result is a rum that tastes fresher and fruitier than many of the house's other finishes.

How should Ron Cristobal Santa Maria Calvados Finish be served?

Best neat at room temperature in a rum or cognac glass, letting the apple and vanilla notes open up. A single ice cube can open the rum further, but avoid drowning it in ice.

Who makes Ron Cristobal?

Ron Cristobal is produced by Alcoholes Finos Dominicanos in the Dominican Republic, a distillery founded in 2010 by two Dominican families in partnership with the producers behind Ron Barceló. The name honours Christopher Columbus, whose portrait appears on the label.

Does Ron Cristobal Santa Maria Calvados Finish make a good gift?

Yes, the limited outturn and the unusual Calvados finish make it a great gift for a rum enthusiast who already knows the classic sherry and port editions and wants to try something more unconventional.