Ron Santiago De Cuba 12yo

Santiago de Cuba is the second-largest premium Cuban rum (no prizes for guessing what the first is) founded 1862 in the oldest city of Cuba, which is also called Santiago De Cuba. Presumably, that’s where the name comes from.

In the 1959 revolution, Cuba’s rum industry was nationalised and Santiago de Cuba rums began to be made by the state at the former Matusalem distillery in Cuba’s Sierra Maestra region from sugarcane molasses. Its standard expressions include a Carta Blanca and an Anejo bottling, but Santiago de Cuba also has a habit of making some exceptional Extra Anejos.

12yo

The 12yo rum from Santiago de Cuba is a molasses-based rum aged a minimum of twelve years in American white oak casks. This blend was originally developed to be paired with the finest Cuban cigars and has a richness with a woody kick, this is a well put-together expression from the Cuban distillers, plenty to enjoy here.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Good helpings of thick, rich caramel and sweet fruits - think orange segments and dried cherry.

Palate: Quite nutty at first, though the fruit notes swiftly return (more tropical than before).

Finish: Burnt sugar and a touch of banana.