The Santa Maria series is Ron Cristobal's experimental side, where each edition is its own vintage project. This one starts at the source: pure bourbon cask, no extra finish.

Expert description

Ron Cristobal Santa Maria 2009 Vintage is a Rum from the Dominican Republic, distilled in 2009 and matured in bourbon casks, bottled at 46%.

The rum forms the cornerstone of the Santa Maria series, where a single 2009 distillate is matured exclusively in bourbon casks with no further cask finish. The series is known for using this 2009 distillate as the base for numerous finished variants, but this edition represents the rum in its purest, most unfiltered form. Only 2063 bottles were released.

Tasting notes

Nose

Sweet and pleasant with marzipan and almond, with a hint of citrus and coconut.

Palate

Full-bodied with ripe apricots and vanilla fudge.

Finish

Surprisingly spicy, with notes of white pepper.

Region/Country: Dominican Republic
Type: Rum
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon casks
Distilled: 2009
Number of bottles: 2063
EAN no.: 5712718007374
Serving suggestion: Neat, as a digestif

Flavour profile

Nutty · Fruity · Spiced · Clean

Did you know?

The same 2009 distillate that forms the base for this pure bourbon cask edition is also used as the foundation for several finished Santa Maria variants with finishes including port, sherry and moscatel, making this bottle an interesting starting point for comparing the whole series.

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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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From the same 2009 distillate, but moved into moscatel casks, where the wine's sweet grape character clearly rubs off on the rum.

Expert description

Ron Cristobal Santa Maria Moscatel Finish is a Rum from the Dominican Republic, distilled in 2009 and finished in ex-moscatel casks, bottled at 43%.

The rum starts from the same 2009 distillate that forms the base of the entire Santa Maria series, but after the initial bourbon cask maturation it is moved into casks that previously held moscatel, a sweet Spanish white wine. This finish adds a clear wine fruitiness that sets it markedly apart from the house's other editions.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fresh and grassy at first, with citrus, orange peel, raisin and vanilla.

Palate

Sweet grape with a hint of grapefruit, in a delicate, dry finish.

Finish

Wine-like and light, with lingering sweetness.

Region/Country: Dominican Republic
Type: Rum
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon casks, finished in ex-moscatel casks
Distilled: 2009
Serving suggestion: Neat, as a digestif

Flavour profile

Wine-like · Fruity · Sweet · Fresh

Did you know?

Moscatel is one of the world's oldest grape varieties and is used to make sweet wines in Spain among other countries, and its characteristic grape sweetness clearly comes through when the casks are reused for rum finishing.

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Named after Columbus's flagship, but finished in French casks from the Cognac region. Santa Maria is a journey across two continents.

Expert description

Ron Cristobal Santa Maria Pineau de Charentes Finish is a Rum from the Dominican Republic, distilled in 2009, finished in ex-Pineau des Charentes casks and bottled at 42%.

The rum is part of Ron Cristobal's prestigious Santa Maria series, named after one of the three ships Christopher Columbus used to cross the Atlantic in 1492. After primary maturation, the rum undergoes a second maturation in casks that previously held Pineau des Charentes, a French aperitif from the Cognac region, adding a French wine-driven dimension to the Dominican rum. The release is limited to 1,989 bottles.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dried fruits, vanilla and caramel, with subtle wood notes.

Palate

Lightly sweet with prunes, cinnamon and vanilla.

Finish

Balanced tannin structure providing a dry, fresh close.

Region/Country: Dominican Republic
Type: Rum
ABV: 42%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Finished in ex-Pineau des Charentes casks
Distilled: 2009
Number of bottles: 1989
Serving suggestion: Neat, to round off a meal

Flavour profile

Elegant · Fruity · Wine-driven · Dry finish

Investment potential

Low to medium. The limited release of 1,989 bottles and the unusual Pineau des Charentes finish make it interesting for collectors looking for something different from classic sherry or port finishes.

Did you know?

Santa Maria was the name of the flagship of Christopher Columbus's fleet when he crossed the Atlantic in 1492, the same ship that lends its name to Ron Cristobal's most prestigious series.

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Pedro Ximenez casks are among the most sought-after in the entire spirits world. This edition of the Santa Maria series shows why.

Expert description

Ron Cristobal Santa Maria PX Sherry Finish is a Rum from the Dominican Republic, distilled in 2009 and finished in ex-PX Sherry casks, bottled at 42%. 2395 bottles were released.

The rum starts from the same 2009 distillate that forms the base of the entire Santa Maria series, but after the initial bourbon cask maturation it is moved into casks that previously held Pedro Ximenez sherry, one of the sweetest and most sought-after sherry styles. The PX casks add a deep, dried fruit character and a rich chocolate tone to the rum.

Tasting notes

Nose

Subtle notes of dried fruit, spice, honey and rich dark chocolate.

Palate

Spicy and flavourful, with intense dried fruit notes from the sherry cask.

Finish

Long-lasting, with a lingering sherry character.

Region/Country: Dominican Republic
Type: Rum
ABV: 42%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon casks, finished in ex-PX Sherry casks
Distilled: 2009
Number of bottles: 2395
Serving suggestion: Neat, as a digestif

Flavour profile

Sherry-influenced · Dried fruit · Chocolate · Rich

Did you know?

Pedro Ximenez, often shortened to PX, is a grape variety dried in the sun before pressing, which concentrates the sugar content and makes the resulting sherry among the sweetest and most sought-after in the world for cask finishing.

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Red grapes from European vineyards get to leave their mark on a Dominican Rum. In the Santa Maria series it's the rule rather than the exception that the unexpected cask makes the best story, and this red wine cask is nothing short of a colourful finale.

Expert Description

Ron Cristobal Santa Maria Red Wine Cask Finish is a Dominican Rum finished in red wine casks and bottled at 42%.

Like the rest of the Santa Maria series, the base rum is distilled at Alcoholes Finos Dominicanos and aged in traditional oak casks before being transferred to casks that previously held red wine from European vineyards. The casks impart tannins and colour compounds from the grapes not otherwise found in a standard Dominican Rum, and the result sits somewhere between rum and a lightly wine-like dessert spirit.

The red wine cask pulls fruit and tannin forward without masking the rum's underlying character of brown sugar and tropical fruit. It's a finish well suited to closing out a meal or standing alone as an afternoon dram.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Ripe red grapes and orange peel, spiced with a hint of cloves and a touch of char from the cask.

Palate

Wine-like and fruity with notes of orange and brown sugar, where the red wine's tannins provide a dry, taut structure.

Finish

Medium length with white pepper and a final hint of dark berries fading out alongside the oak.

Specifications

Name: Ron Cristobal Santa Maria Red Wine Cask Finish
Distillery: Ron Cristobal
Region/Country: Dominican Republic
Type: Rum
ABV: 42%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Oak casks finished in red wine casks
Edition: Santa Maria series
Serving Suggestion: Best served after dinner as a dessert dram, lightly chilled

Flavour Profile

Wine-like · Fruity · Spiced · Finished · Dry finish

Did You Know?

The Santa Maria series is named after Christopher Columbus' flagship, while Ron Cristobal itself takes its name from the explorer's first name, Cristóbal, the Spanish word for Christopher.

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Among the Santa Maria series' many finish variants, the port wine edition is the one that leans closest to classic dessert wine sweetness.

Expert description

Ron Cristobal Santa Maria Ruby Port Finish is a Rum from the Dominican Republic, distilled in 2009 and finished in ex-Ruby Port wine casks, bottled at 42%.

The rum starts from the same 2009 distillate that forms the base of the entire Santa Maria series, but after the initial bourbon cask maturation it is moved into casks that previously held Ruby Port wine. The port's deep, berry-driven sweetness melts together with the rum's natural character, creating one of the most dessert-like editions in the Santa Maria series.

Tasting notes

Nose

Caramel, chocolate, wood and vanilla, with a clear port wine character and spice.

Palate

Port wine, caramel, vanilla and spice, with a hint of black pepper.

Finish

Port wine and fruitiness, closing with a hint of wood.

Region/Country: Dominican Republic
Type: Rum
ABV: 42%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon casks, finished in ex-Ruby Port wine casks
Distilled: 2009
Serving suggestion: Neat, as a digestif

Flavour profile

Dessert-like · Port wine notes · Spiced · Chocolate

Did you know?

Ruby Port is the youngest and most fruit-forward type of port wine, making it an obvious choice for rum finishing since it retains a vibrant berry sweetness rather than the drier, nuttier notes found in older port styles.

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From the esteemed house of Oliver & Oliver comes this Cuban rum, where 12 years of maturation have given a deep, balanced character with distinct wood and spice complexity.

Expert Description

Ron Cubanacan Reserva Familiar 12 Years is a Cuban Rum matured for 12 years, bottled at 38%.

The rum is produced by Oliver & Oliver, an esteemed house within Cuban and Caribbean rum production. After 12 years of maturation, the rum stands as a prestigious, aged rum with a well-balanced structure, where caramel, vanilla and dried fruit play alongside a light oak spice and a pleasant warmth.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Inviting aromas of caramel, vanilla and dried fruits, with subtle hints of oak and spice.

Palate

Smooth and well-balanced with toffee, dark chocolate and a touch of spice, balanced by a gentle oakiness.

Finish

Long and warm with lingering notes of caramel and dried fruits.

Specifications

Name: Ron Cubanacan Reserva Familiar 12 Years
Region/Country: Cuba
Type: Rum
Age: 12 years
ABV: 38%
Size: 70 CL
Serving suggestion: Enjoy neat in a snifter glass

Bottler: Oliver & Oliver

Flavour Profile

Caramel · Full-bodied · Spicy · Fruity · Warm

Did You Know?

The name "Cubanacan" refers to central Cuba and was originally the term used by the indigenous Taíno people for the island's central region.

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The same company behind Havana Club also makes this lesser-known brand, which for decades was sold only in the Cuban domestic market.

Expert description

Ron Cubay Carta Blanca Extra Anejo is a Rum from Cuba, matured 3 years in North American oak casks and bottled at 40%.

The rum is produced by Cuba Ron S.A. in Santo Domingo, Villa Clara, in the centre of Cuba, the same company behind world-famous Havana Club. The brand was established in 1964, but was originally intended solely for the Cuban domestic market and has only recently, around 2010, found its way to export. Carta Blanca combines the richness of long-aged dark rums with the freshness of Cuba's classic white rum style in a single bottle.

Tasting notes

Nose

Gentle aroma with creamy vanilla and a hint of fresh green apple.

Palate

Clean and full-bodied for its type, with earthy, herbaceous notes showing signs of mature ageing.

Finish

Light and refreshing, with a balanced close.

Region/Country: Cuba
Type: Rum
Age: 3 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: North American oak
Serving suggestion: Neat or in classic Cuban cocktails

Flavour profile

Light · Fresh · Creamy · Herbaceous

Did you know?

Ron Cubay is produced by Cuba Ron S.A., the same company behind world-famous Havana Club, but for decades the brand was reserved exclusively for the Cuban domestic market.

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In Cuba, this is the rum people actually drink day to day, not the tourist version, but the social, affordable classic.

Expert description

Ron Cubay Anejo is a Rum from Cuba, distilled from Cuban sugar cane molasses in column stills and matured 7 years in American white oak casks, bottled at 38%.

The rum is produced by Cuba Ron S.A. in Santo Domingo, Villa Clara, the same company behind Havana Club. The Ron Cubay brand was founded in 1964, but for decades was reserved exclusively for the Cuban domestic market and was only released for export in 2010. Anejo is the house's accessible everyday rum, popular in Cuba as a social and affordable classic.

Tasting notes

Nose

Spicy oak and a hint of tobacco, chocolate and an almost honey-like sweetness, plus freshly roasted coffee beans and soft caramel.

Palate

Sweet entry with soft tropical fruits and berries, plus a hit of milk and dark chocolate.

Finish

Soft caramel and chocolate, with a light, warming peppery finish.

Region/Country: Cuba
Type: Rum
Age: 7 years
ABV: 38%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American white oak casks
Distillation method: Column distillation
Serving suggestion: Neat or in a Cuba Libre

Flavour profile

Sweet · Tropical · Spiced · Chocolate

Did you know?

Ron Cubay is made by the same producer as Havana Club, but while Havana Club became the export product, Ron Cubay remained for decades an exclusively Cuban everyday rum that has only recently reached foreign markets.

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As the top point on the Ron Cueva 1501 series' age ladder, this 33 year old solera edition represents the culmination of a decades-long promise of patient maturation.

Expert Description

Ron Cueva 1501 Sistema 33 Solera is a Panama Rum aged via the solera method for a minimum of 33 years and bottled at 40%.

The rum is the oldest and most exclusive release in the Ron Cueva 1501 series, which otherwise includes 8, 12, 18 and 25 year variants. The 33 years of solera ageing give the rum an unusual depth and maturity, where decades of gradually blending younger and older distillates have created a complexity rarely found in Panama Rum at this price. Like the rest of the series, the rum is distilled from 100% sugar cane molasses and honours the Panamanian Cueva people the brand is named after.

The result is a deep, mature rum, where toasted oak and dark caramel meet a long, complex spiced finish.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Toasted oak, dark caramel and ripe dried fruits.

Palate

Deep and complex with dark chocolate, spice and a hint of tobacco.

Finish

Very long with lingering spice and oak.

Specifications

Name: Ron Cueva 1501 Sistema 33 Solera
Bottler: Ron Cueva 1501
Region/Country: Panama
Type: Panama Rum
Age: Minimum 33 Years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation Method: Solera method
Serving Suggestion: Neat in a snifter at room temperature

Flavour Profile

Deep · Mature · Complex · Spiced · Contemplative

Investment Potential

Medium. As the oldest and top release in the Ron Cueva 1501 series with 33 years of solera ageing, it has the rarity and maturity that interests collectors of aged Panama Rum.

Did You Know?

With 33 years of solera ageing, this rum ranks among the oldest commercially available Panama Rums on the Danish market, far beyond Panama's legal requirement of just two years minimum ageing.

See our full range of Ron Cueva 1501

Named after the Cueva people, first encountered by Spanish conquerors in Panama in 1501, this youngest edition in the series opens a journey through the house's solera-aged expressions.

Expert Description

Ron Cueva 1501 Sistema 8 Solera is a Panama Rum aged via the solera method for a minimum of 8 years and bottled at 40%.

The rum is produced by Ron Cueva 1501, a Danish-Panamanian brand honouring the original Cueva people, who were wiped out in 1535 following battles with the Spanish conquerors and diseases brought from Europe. Although Panamanian law only requires a minimum of two years ageing, Ron Cueva 1501 matures the rum via the solera system, where younger and older distillates are continuously blended. Sistema 8 is the youngest and most approachable edition in the series, which also includes 12, 18, 25 and 33 year variants.

The result is a round, smooth rum, where caramel and vanilla meet dried fruit and a lightly spiced finish.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Caramel, vanilla and light dried fruit.

Palate

Round and smooth with caramel and a touch of spice.

Finish

Short to medium with a lightly spiced conclusion.

Specifications

Name: Ron Cueva 1501 Sistema 8 Solera
Bottler: Ron Cueva 1501
Region/Country: Panama
Type: Panama Rum
Age: Minimum 8 Years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation Method: Solera method
EAN No.: 5714278014922
Serving Suggestion: Neat over ice or in a classic rum cocktail

Flavour Profile

Round · Smooth · Caramel-forward · Lightly Spiced · Approachable

Did You Know?

The name Ron Cueva 1501 honours the Panamanian Cueva people, first encountered by Spanish explorers in 1501, who went extinct already by 1535 as a result of war and disease, a history the brand uses as its foundation.

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The Las Perlas Islands in the Pacific gave their name to pearls for centuries, and this 18 year old solera edition lives up to the same expectation of refinement and elegance.

Expert Description

Ron Cueva 1501 Las Perlas Elegante 18 Solera is a Panama Rum aged via the solera method for a minimum of 18 years and bottled at 40%.

The rum is named after the Las Perlas archipelago in the Pacific off Panama's coast, historically known for its pearl fishing. With 18 years of solera ageing, this is the most refined edition in the series' mid-tier, where extended contact with the casks delivers a more pronounced, elegant complexity than the younger Sistema 8 and San Blas Exclusiva 12.

The result is an elegant, deeply aromatic rum, where ripe dried fruits meet rich caramel and a long, silky finish.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Rich caramel, ripe dried fruits and a touch of oak.

Palate

Elegant and full-bodied with deep fruit notes and fine spice.

Finish

Long and silky with lingering caramel.

Specifications

Name: Ron Cueva 1501 Las Perlas Elegante 18 Solera
Bottler: Ron Cueva 1501
Region/Country: Panama
Type: Panama Rum
Age: Minimum 18 Years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation Method: Solera method
Serving Suggestion: Neat in a snifter at room temperature

Flavour Profile

Elegant · Deeply Aromatic · Full-bodied · Fruity · Refined

Investment Potential

Low to Medium. With 18 years of solera ageing and a name referencing Panama's historic pearl fishing, it appeals to collectors seeking depth without the series' highest price point.

Did You Know?

The Las Perlas Islands have historically produced some of the world's finest natural pearls, including the legendary "La Peregrina" pearl, which later adorned several European royal houses.

See our full range of Ron Cueva 1501

Named after the San Blas archipelago off Panama's Caribbean coast, this 12 year old solera edition adds an extra layer of depth to the series' foundational profile.

Expert Description

Ron Cueva 1501 San Blas Exclusiva 12 Solera is a Panama Rum aged via the solera method for a minimum of 12 years and bottled at 40%.

The rum is produced by Ron Cueva 1501 and named after the San Blas archipelago, home to Panama's Guna people and known for its turquoise waters along the Caribbean coast. Compared to the house's Sistema 8, four additional years of solera ageing add a more pronounced depth and complexity, while the foundational, approachable style from 100% molasses in the Spanish tradition is retained.

The result is a fuller, more complex rum, where caramel and dried fruit meet a warm, spiced finish.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Caramel, dried fruit and a touch of oak.

Palate

Full-bodied with caramel, dark fruit and spice.

Finish

Medium length and warm with lingering spice.

Specifications

Name: Ron Cueva 1501 San Blas Exclusiva 12 Solera
Bottler: Ron Cueva 1501
Region/Country: Panama
Type: Panama Rum
Age: Minimum 12 Years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation Method: Solera method
Serving Suggestion: Neat in a snifter or over ice

Flavour Profile

Full-bodied · Complex · Caramel-forward · Warm · Spiced

Did You Know?

The San Blas archipelago, after which this edition is named, consists of over 350 islands and is home to the Guna people, who have preserved their own self-governing culture independent of the rest of Panama.

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The Chagres River fed the waters of the Panama Canal, giving its name to a dream of connecting two oceans, a dream reflected here in 25 years of patient solera ageing.

Expert Description

Ron Cueva 1501 Sueno Del Chagres 25 Solera is a Panama Rum aged via the solera method for a minimum of 25 years and bottled at 40%.

The rum is named after the Chagres River, whose waters feed the Panama Canal, and the name Sueno Del Chagres means "the Chagres dream". With 25 years of solera ageing, this is one of the oldest and most complex editions in the series, where a dark golden colour and a deep aroma profile testify to decades of maturation. The rum is distilled from 100% sugar cane molasses in the Spanish style, a tradition Ron Cueva 1501 follows across its entire range.

The result is a velvety, rich rum, where roasted coffee beans meet dark chocolate and concentrated vanilla.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Roasted coffee beans, ripe tropical fruits, dark chocolate and concentrated vanilla.

Palate

Velvety and rich with dates, raisins, caramel and black cherries.

Finish

Long and warm with cinnamon and cloves.

Specifications

Name: Ron Cueva 1501 Sueno Del Chagres 25 Solera
Bottler: Ron Cueva 1501
Region/Country: Panama
Type: Panama Rum
Age: Minimum 25 Years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Distillation Method: Solera method
Serving Suggestion: Neat in a snifter at room temperature

Flavour Profile

Velvety · Rich · Complex · Spiced · Deep

Investment Potential

Medium. With 25 years of solera ageing and a deep, complex flavour profile, it ranks among the series' more sought-after releases for collectors of aged Panama Rum.

Did You Know?

The Chagres River, after which this rum is named, supplies most of the fresh water that powers the lock system in the Panama Canal, giving it a central role in one of the world's most important trade hubs.

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Puerto Rico's oldest rum brand is still made in small batches, using the same recipe the Fernández family has used since 1880.

Expert description

Ron del Barrilito ** is a Rum from Puerto Rico, matured 3 to 5 years in white oak casks that previously held Oloroso sherry in Jerez, bottled at 43%.

The rum is hand-crafted in small batches at Hacienda Santa Ana in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, by the Fernández family, who have distilled rum under the brand since 1880, making Ron del Barrilito the island's oldest still-produced rum brand. The rum is made using the old maceration process, in which a small portion of the rum is infused with a blend of dried fruits and spices before maturation, giving it its characteristic flavour profile and aroma.

Tasting notes

Nose

Plums, almonds, apricot and vanilla, with a hint of smoke and wood.

Palate

Caramelised fruit and sugar cane dominate, with a delicate, long oak flavour.

Finish

Medium-length and lightly sweet, with a hint of dried fruit.

Region/Country: Puerto Rico
Type: Rum
Age: 3-5 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: White oak, previously Oloroso sherry
EAN no.: 08286900124
Serving suggestion: Neat, on the rocks or in cocktails

Flavour profile

Light to medium · Fruity · Oak-driven · Soft

Did you know?

Ron del Barrilito still uses the old maceration process, in which part of the rum is infused with dried fruits and spices before maturation, a technique that has been part of the Fernández family's recipe since 1880.

See our full range of Ron del Barrilito

At Hacienda San Isidro in Panama, between the Pacific and the Atlantic, casks from 1998 have spent 26 years under the tropical sun maturing into this rare vintage rum.

Expert Description

Ron Dos Mares 1998 Vintage Limited Edition 26 Year is a Panama Rum, aged for 26 years and bottled at 47.2%.

The rum is produced by Varela Hermanos, the Panamanian family company behind the historic Hacienda San Isidro, known for its work with the older sibling rum Ron Abuelo. Ron Dos Mares is distilled from molasses on continuous column stills and aged locally in American oak casks, where Panama's warm, humid climate between the two oceans drives a faster, more intense maturation than in cooler climates. The 1998 vintage is the oldest in the brand's Vintage series, given a full 26 years to develop its character.

The result is a deep, dark rum, where mahogany-toned dried fruit and spice meet a long, structured finish.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dried fruit, dark caramel and toasted oak.

Palate

Deep and spiced with raisin, tobacco and a hint of cocoa.

Finish

Long and warm with lingering oak and spice.

Specifications

Name: Ron Dos Mares 1998 Vintage 26 Year
Distillery: Ron Dos Mares
Region/Country: Panama
Type: Panama Rum
Age: 26 Years
ABV: 47.2%
Size: 70 CL
Distilled: 1998
Distillation Method: Column distilled from molasses
Serving Suggestion: Neat in a snifter at room temperature

Flavour Profile

Deep · Dark · Spiced · Oak-forward · Rare

Investment Potential

Medium. As the oldest vintage in Ron Dos Mares' Vintage series with 26 years of ageing, it is a bottle that grows rarer with every passing year.

Did You Know?

Panama's location between the Pacific and the Atlantic gives it a particular tropical climate, where the heat and humidity significantly accelerate the cask's contact with the rum compared to ageing in cooler regions.

See our full range of Ron Dos Mares

Four years younger than the brand's oldest release, the 2002 vintage offers the same Panamanian tropical ageing, just with a touch more freshness retained in the profile.

Expert Description

Ron Dos Mares 2002 Vintage Limited Edition 22 Year is a Panama Rum, aged for 22 years and bottled at 46.5%.

The rum is produced by Varela Hermanos at Hacienda San Isidro in Panama, the same family company behind Ron Abuelo. Like the rest of the Vintage series, the rum is column distilled from molasses and aged locally in American oak casks in Panama's warm, humid climate between the Pacific and the Atlantic. The 2002 vintage is the second-oldest in the range, given 22 years to develop a deep yet still well-balanced character.

The result is a full-bodied, dark rum, where dried fruit and spice meet a long, warm finish with a hint of cocoa.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dried fruit, caramel and toasted oak.

Palate

Full-bodied and spiced with raisin and a hint of cocoa.

Finish

Long and warm with lingering oak.

Specifications

Name: Ron Dos Mares 2002 Vintage 22 Year
Distillery: Ron Dos Mares
Region/Country: Panama
Type: Panama Rum
Age: 22 Years
ABV: 46.5%
Size: 70 CL
Distilled: 2002
Distillation Method: Column distilled from molasses
Serving Suggestion: Neat in a snifter at room temperature

Flavour Profile

Full-bodied · Dark · Spiced · Oak-forward · Rare

Investment Potential

Low to Medium. As one of the older releases in the Vintage series with 22 years of ageing, it will be hard to find again once the current stock sells out.

Did You Know?

Ron Dos Mares' Vintage series brings together four different vintages, 1998, 2002, 2005 and 2008, where each bottle reflects exactly how long the cask was left to stand in the Panamanian heat.

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In the middle of Ron Dos Mares' four vintages sits the 2005 edition, a rum that has had enough time to develop depth without quite reaching the heavy intensity of the oldest bottles.

Expert Description

Ron Dos Mares 2005 Vintage Limited Edition 19 Year is a Panama Rum, aged for 19 years and bottled at 45.3%.

The rum is produced by Varela Hermanos at Hacienda San Isidro in Panama, the family company also behind Ron Abuelo. Like the rest of the Vintage series, the rum is column distilled from molasses and aged in American oak casks in Panama's tropical climate between the Pacific and the Atlantic. With 19 years of ageing, the 2005 vintage sits in the middle of the range, between the younger and the oldest releases.

The result is a balanced, dark rum, where dried fruit and caramel meet a warm, medium-length finish with a hint of spice.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dried fruit, caramel and a touch of vanilla.

Palate

Balanced and spiced with raisin and light oak.

Finish

Warm and medium-length with lingering spice.

Specifications

Name: Ron Dos Mares 2005 Vintage 19 Year
Distillery: Ron Dos Mares
Region/Country: Panama
Type: Panama Rum
Age: 19 Years
ABV: 45.3%
Size: 70 CL
Distilled: 2005
Distillation Method: Column distilled from molasses
Serving Suggestion: Neat at room temperature or over ice

Flavour Profile

Balanced · Dark · Spiced · Fruity · Rare

Did You Know?

With 19 years of ageing, the 2005 vintage hits a sweet spot in Ron Dos Mares' Vintage series, where the rum has had ample time to develop without becoming quite as intense as the two oldest releases.

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The youngest of Ron Dos Mares' four Vintage editions offers a more approachable entry point into the range's tropical Panamanian style.

Expert Description

Ron Dos Mares 2008 Vintage Limited Edition 16 Year is a Panama Rum, aged for 16 years and bottled at 44.7%.

The rum is produced by Varela Hermanos at Hacienda San Isidro in Panama, the family company also behind Ron Abuelo. Like the rest of the Vintage series, the rum is column distilled from molasses and aged in American oak casks in Panama's tropical climate. With 16 years of ageing, the 2008 vintage is the youngest of the four in the range, giving it a lighter, more approachable style while retaining the character built by its long ageing.

The result is a round, dark rum, where caramel and dried fruit meet a warm, mild finish.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Caramel, dried fruit and a touch of vanilla.

Palate

Round and mild with brown sugar and light spice.

Finish

Warm and medium-length with lingering caramel.

Specifications

Name: Ron Dos Mares 2008 Vintage 16 Year
Distillery: Ron Dos Mares
Region/Country: Panama
Type: Panama Rum
Age: 16 Years
ABV: 44.7%
Size: 70 CL
Distilled: 2008
Distillation Method: Column distilled from molasses
Serving Suggestion: Neat at room temperature or over ice

Flavour Profile

Round · Mild · Caramel-forward · Fruity · Approachable

Did You Know?

As the youngest of the four Vintage editions, the 2008 release is often the natural starting point for those exploring Ron Dos Mares' range before moving on to the older and more intense bottles.

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Named after the glowing crystal jellyfish, Medusa de Cristal, this Panamanian rum draws its fruit-laden depth from sherry casks rather than the classic bourbon barrel.

Expert Description

Ron Dos Mares Medusa de Cristal XO is a Panama Rum finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, bottled at 40%.

The rum is part of Ron Dos Mares' XO Collection and is produced by Varela Hermanos at Hacienda San Isidro in Panama, the same company behind Ron Abuelo. The base rum is column distilled from molasses and aged for a minimum of 10 years, before completing its maturation in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, which add an elegant, fruit-laden depth. The name refers to the glowing crystal jellyfish, symbolising the rum's clear, elegant character.

The result is a soft, fruity rum, where sherry-toned raisin and fig meet a light, balanced finish.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Raisin, fig and a touch of caramel.

Palate

Soft and fruity with sherry tones and light sweetness.

Finish

Long, warm and soft with lingering fruit.

Specifications

Name: Ron Dos Mares Medusa de Cristal XO
Distillery: Ron Dos Mares
Region/Country: Panama
Type: Panama Rum
Age: Minimum 10 Years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Pedro Ximénez sherry casks
Distillation Method: Column distilled from molasses
Serving Suggestion: Neat at room temperature or over ice

Flavour Profile

Soft · Fruity · Sherry-forward · Elegant · Balanced

Did You Know?

Medusa de Cristal is named after a transparent, glowing species of jellyfish, an image chosen to reflect the rum's clear, elegant character after time in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.

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Named after the green sea turtle that moves freely between Panama's coasts and the two surrounding oceans, this rum stays true to the classic ex-bourbon barrel style.

Expert Description

Ron Dos Mares Tortuga Verde XO is a Panama Rum aged in ex-bourbon barrels, bottled at 40%.

The rum is part of Ron Dos Mares' XO Collection and is produced by Varela Hermanos at Hacienda San Isidro in Panama, the same company behind Ron Abuelo. The base rum is column distilled from molasses and aged for a minimum of 10 years in ex-bourbon barrels, giving it a more classic, direct Panamanian style than its sibling release Medusa de Cristal, which finishes in sherry casks. The name Tortuga Verde refers to the green sea turtle, symbolising freedom between the white beaches, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

The result is a round, caramel-forward rum, where dried fruit meets a warm, balanced finish.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Caramel, dried fruit and light vanilla.

Palate

Round and warm with brown sugar and a hint of spice.

Finish

Medium-length and soft with lingering caramel.

Specifications

Name: Ron Dos Mares Tortuga Verde XO
Distillery: Ron Dos Mares
Region/Country: Panama
Type: Panama Rum
Age: Minimum 10 Years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Ex-bourbon barrels
Distillation Method: Column distilled from molasses
Serving Suggestion: Neat at room temperature or over ice

Flavour Profile

Round · Caramel-forward · Warm · Classic · Balanced

Did You Know?

The Tortuga Verde name is inspired by the green sea turtle, a species known for moving freely between Panama's two coasts, the Pacific and the Caribbean Sea, the same journey the brand name Dos Mares refers to.

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Gran Reserva is the entry point to Ron Esclavo's solera universe, a more approachable, yet still complex expression of the house's signature Dominican style.

Expert Description

Ron Esclavo Gran Reserva is a Dominican Republic Rum, produced by Oliver & Oliver, aged 3 to 5 years in American and French oak casks and bottled at 40%.

The rum is column distilled and then aged in the tropical climate, where high temperatures speed up maturation. Gran Reserva is the most approachable edition in the Ron Esclavo range, but still builds on the house's signature solera approach, where rum of different ages is gradually blended through the ageing system to achieve a smooth, rounded character.

The result is a light, sweet rum with a syrupy consistency and a fine bitterness in the finishing taste.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Raisin, orange and vanilla, with a hint of prune.

Palate

Dried dates, burnt sugar and orange, with a syrupy consistency and light, sweet chocolate.

Finish

Medium length, with wood, burnt sugar and a fine bitterness.

Specifications

Name: Ron Esclavo Gran Reserva
Distillery: Oliver & Oliver
Region/Country: Dominican Republic
Type: Rum
Age: 3-5 Years
ABV: 40%
Size: 20 CL
Cask Type: American and French oak
Serving Suggestion: Neat, over ice, or in a rum cocktail

Flavour Profile

Sweet · Caramel-forward · Light · Dried Fruit · Soft

Did You Know?

Even though Gran Reserva is Ron Esclavo's most approachable edition, it still builds on the house's full solera system, setting it apart from many other rums in the same price bracket, which are often aged in a far simpler way.

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Sugar cane, sun and time. A name that carries a heavy history, and a rum that wants the opposite: round, dark and open to anyone who sits down with a glass.

Expert description of Ron Esclavo 15 Solera

Ron Esclavo 15 is part of the Dominican Esclavo series, bottled by the Danish company 1423 World Class Spirits in collaboration with the well-regarded Oliver & Oliver. The number 15 refers to the solera method, where the rum is matured in a pyramid of casks and where the oldest part of the blend is 15 years old. It is this method that gives the series its consistency and soft, rounded character from bottle to bottle.

Oliver & Oliver is known as a blender rather than a distillery and is behind several of the most respected Latin American rum brands. Esclavo 15 is a molasses-based rum, aged in tropical climate in ex-bourbon casks of American white oak, which pulls it towards vanilla, caramel and soft oak. At 38% it is the mildest and most accessible of the age-stated Esclavo rums - a natural place to start if you like the sweet, Spanish style.

The name Esclavo means slave in Spanish and is intended as a tribute to the people who paid the highest price in the history of sugar cane and rum. It is worth knowing that 1423 has in recent years chosen to phase out the Esclavo name in favour of the brand Patridom, precisely because of the debate around the name.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Soft and inviting with molasses, caramel and vanilla. A dash of spice and a hint of dark fruit lie behind.

Palate

Full-bodied and sweet with toffee, vanilla and dried fruit. Round texture, clearly on the sweet side, with a touch of oak.

Finish

Long and warm with caramel and soft spice that fades slowly.

Specifications

Name: Ron Esclavo 15 Solera
Region/Country: Dominican Republic
Type: Rum
ABV: 38%
Size: 700 ML
Cask type: Ex-bourbon American white oak
Bottler: 1423 World Class Spirits / Oliver & Oliver

Flavour Profile

Sweet · Caramel · Vanilla · Soft · Spiced

Did You Know?

The story of 1423 began at a whisky fair, where a group of Danish friends fell for a rum, discovered the selection back home was thin, and decided to import what they liked best themselves. That decision became one of Denmark's most successful spirits importers.

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XO is the most intense expression of the solera at Ron Esclavo, where the mahogany-coloured rum promises a depth to match the weight of its name.

Expert Description

Ron Esclavo XO is a Dominican Republic Rum, produced by Oliver & Oliver via the classic solera method and bottled at 42%.

The rum is aged in a combination of American and French oak casks, where the solera system, with gradual blending of younger and older rum across multiple ageing tiers, gives the bottle its aromatic depth. Ron Esclavo is produced by Oliver & Oliver, a respected Dominican producer known for working with traditional solera techniques, and the XO edition is the house's most intense cuvée, selected from the finest rum components in the solera.

The result is a mahogany-coloured rum with a syrupy, warm body and a long, silky finish.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Honey, caramel and ripe banana, with molasses and vanilla.

Palate

Vanilla, caramel and coconut, with concentrated dried fruit and a pronounced warmth, supported by clove, cinnamon and allspice.

Finish

Long, silky and spiced, with bittersweet chocolate and oak spice.

Specifications

Name: Ron Esclavo XO
Distillery: Oliver & Oliver
Region/Country: Dominican Republic
Type: Rum
ABV: 42%
Size: 20 CL
Cask Type: American and French oak, solera system
Serving Suggestion: Neat at room temperature or as a digestif

Flavour Profile

Vanilla-forward · Caramel-forward · Rich · Spiced · Sweet

Did You Know?

Ron Esclavo uses a solera method, where rum from different ages is gradually blended across multiple tiers of casks, a technique borrowed from the Spanish sherry tradition, which helps give XO its unusual aromatic complexity.

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The name means "slave" in Spanish – a reminder of who once paid the highest price so that we can today enjoy a glass of Dominican Rum.

Expert Description

Ron Esclavo XO Miniature is a Dominican Rum made from both fresh sugarcane juice and molasses, bottled at 42% in a small 5 cl bottle.

The rum comes from Alcoholes Finos Dominicanos, who use only sugarcane grown on their own Dominican fields. The blend behind Ron Esclavo XO draws on rum matured up to 23 years in American and French oak casks, where the Dominican Republic's tropical climate speeds the maturation along. This miniature offers a chance to get acquainted with the range without committing to a full bottle.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Sweet-sour aroma with a touch of coconut and beeswax.

Palate

Full-bodied and oily with cane raisins and dark chocolate.

Finish

Short but tangy finish with a lightly bitter note of dark chocolate.

Specifications

Name: Ron Esclavo XO Miniature
Bottler: Alcoholes Finos Dominicanos
Region/Country: Dominican Republic
Type: Rum
ABV: 42%
Size: 5 CL
Serving suggestion: Best at room temperature, ideal as a small taste before investing in a full bottle

Bottler: Ron Esclavo

Flavour Profile

Sweet · Full-bodied · Spiced · Chocolate · Solera

Did You Know?

Ron Esclavo previously carried a different name, but changed it to honour the enslaved people whose labour historically laid the foundation of the Caribbean sugarcane industry – a story our own rum blogger Thomas Heie Nielsen has explored in depth.

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The 18-year is the pinnacle of Flor de Caña's hierarchy, the edition where the house shows just how long Nicaraguan rum can wait to become perfect.

Expert description

Ron Flor de Caña 18 Year is a Rum from Nicaragua, matured for 18 years in American oak casks, bottled at 40%.

The rum comes from the Flor de Caña distillery in Chichigalpa, at the foot of the San Cristóbal volcano. The 18-year is the house's most matured standard release and builds on the Centenario 12 Year with a further six years of maturation, delivering a markedly deeper, rounder and more velvety profile. It is a rum made for quiet enjoyment rather than cocktails, with a complexity that needs time to unfold.

Tasting notes

Nose

Nuts and caramel, with rich oak spice, zesty orange peel and dark brown sugar sweetness, complemented by nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla and anise.

Palate

Intense vanilla and spice, with dark chocolate, toffee and caramel, supported by nutty oak.

Finish

Full-bodied yet velvety, with a long, smooth and oak-driven finish.

Distillery: Flor de Caña
Region/Country: Nicaragua
Type: Rum
Age: 18 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak casks
EAN no.: 7431008107027
Serving suggestion: Neat in a snifter glass

Flavour profile

Velvety · Spiced · Nutty · Full-bodied

Investment potential

Low to medium. As the house's most matured standard release, Flor de Caña 18 Year holds a firm place among collectors of Nicaraguan rum, though it remains widely available rather than limited.

Did you know?

Flor de Caña itself recommends letting the rum breathe in the glass for a few minutes before the first sip, precisely to give the complex aromas time to fully open up.

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At the foot of an active volcano in Nicaragua sits a distillery that distills five times, only to end up with something that still tastes of the warm, volcanic soil.

Expert description

Flor de Caña 7 Year Gran Reserva is a Rum from Nicaragua, distilled five times and matured for 7 years in American bourbon casks, bottled at 40%.

The rum comes from the Flor de Caña distillery in Chichigalpa, founded in 1890 at the foot of the San Cristóbal volcano and still family-owned in its fifth generation. The location on the volcanic "Ring of Fire" provides unusually mineral-rich soil and a hot climate that accelerates maturation. The rum is distilled five times from sugarcane molasses and slowly matured for seven years, giving it a depth normally associated with older rum. The distillery also runs on 100% renewable energy.

Tasting notes

Nose

Toasted oak and warm vanilla, followed by dark caramel, toasted coconut and dried figs.

Palate

Smooth and barrel-forward, with honey, vanilla and roasted nuts, supported by dark chocolate and baking spice.

Finish

Clean and satisfying, with lingering sweetness and light oak undertones.

Distillery: Flor de Caña
Region/Country: Nicaragua
Type: Rum
Age: 7 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American bourbon casks
Distillation method: Column still, distilled 5 times
EAN no.: 7431008105009
Serving suggestion: Neat or on the rocks

Flavour profile

Caramel · Vanilla · Round · Spiced

Did you know?

The Flor de Caña distillery sits directly on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," one of the world's most active volcanic zones, where the heat and mineral-rich soil accelerate the rum's maturation in the tropical climate.

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Centenario means centennial, and although the rum is not a hundred years old, the name hints at the ambition behind Flor de Caña's older expressions.

Expert description

Ron Flor de Caña Centenario 12 Year is a Rum from Nicaragua, distilled five times and matured for 12 years in American oak casks, bottled at 40%.

The rum comes from the Flor de Caña distillery in Chichigalpa, at the foot of the San Cristóbal volcano, where the hot, mineral-rich climate accelerates maturation. Centenario 12 Year builds on the house's 7-year Gran Reserva with five extra years of maturation, delivering a deeper, more complex profile with pronounced notes of dried orange peel, apple and baking spice on top of the classic caramel and vanilla base.

Tasting notes

Nose

Toasted oak, caramel, dried orange peel, apple and light buttery toffee, plus baking spice.

Palate

Semi-sweet and stately, with nougat, almond butter, molasses and a hint of sherry.

Finish

Peppery spice, dark caramel and charred oak fading gently.

Distillery: Flor de Caña
Region/Country: Nicaragua
Type: Rum
Age: 12 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak casks
Distillation method: Column still, distilled 5 times
EAN no.: 7431008107003
Serving suggestion: Neat or on the rocks

Flavour profile

Caramel · Spiced · Fruity · Full-bodied

Did you know?

Flor de Caña has historically omitted an age statement on several of its releases for blending flexibility, but Centenario 12 Year remains among the expressions that still carry a clear age guarantee, reflecting the house's confidence in this particular blend.

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