Seconds Out… Round 2 (Ding-Ding)!
The second installment of the Tributo Collection, a series of the ‘Prestige’ rums from Havana Club’s aged reserves, was recently unveiled at the Cuban Habanos Festival and will have a limited release of 2,500 bottles globally.
The initial release certainly had a lot of character but seemed to be masked somewhat by an added sweetness that I felt was a little clumsy. The following press release makes reference to ‘a distinctive dry note’ and I really hope that translates the way it should. I’m told that it won’t be until April before I can get a little in my glass, so until then – I can only leave you with the release.
Press Release: Havana Club Tributo 2017 has been crafted by Asbel Morales, Havana Club Maestro del Ron Cubano, from a new blend of hand-selected base rums and a decades-old ‘aguardiente’ – or spirit base. The ‘aguardiente’ is at the heart of this rum, and has been enhanced by maturation in barrels that are over 80 years old. The result is an exceptional rum with a distinctive dry note and an intriguing array of flavours, highlighting and paying homage to the finest Cuban sugar cane. The 2017 edition is bottled at 40% ABV, with an amber glow and flavours of chocolate, tobacco and coffee.
Following the success of the 2016 edition, Havana Club Tributo 2017 demonstrates a new style of Cuban rum, showcasing the richness and variety of styles found within the authentic Cuban rum category. The new expression is on sale in six extra markets this year, totaling 16 (Cuba, Germany, Austria, Hungry, Greece, China, Denmark, Portugal, Poland, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Czech Republic, Italy, Mexico, Belgium), from March at the RRP of 350 EUR per 70 cl.
This unique blend of Havana Club’s exceptional rum reserves honours the passion and knowledge of the Maestros del Ron Cubano, a role that has recently been declared a Cultural Patrimony of the Cuban nation by the Culture Ministry in Cuba. As such, each bottle of Havana Club Tributo is individually numbered and adorned with the signature of Havana Club Maestro del Ron Cubano, Asbel Morales. The outer packaging will entice rum connoisseurs and spirits drinkers alike with luxury green gold cues evoking the sugar cane lands used for generations in the production of authentic Cuban rum.
Asbel Morales comments: “The extensive reserves at the Havana Club distillery provided us with a wealth of luxurious aged rums to experiment with. By blending together, a decades-old aguardiente and our precious rums, we have achieved a totally new rum experience that is lively and complex, with a remarkable dry taste imparted by the original Cuban sugar cane character of the aguardiente. Havana Club Tributo 2017 celebrates the craftsmanship at the heart of the production of premium rum, from the cane to the cask, and we hope rum drinkers around the world will enjoy it.”
Tasting notes by Asbel Morales, Havana Club Maestros del Ron Cubano:
- COLOUR: Transparent with an amber glow
- NOSE: Aromatic to begin with, but easy on the nose, with distinctive aromas of “miel de caña”, sugarcane honey and raisin. This is balanced with the subtle wooden notes coming from oak
- TASTE: Extremely intense and complex into the mouth, with outstanding dry notes as result of a prolonged aging “aguardiente”. This combines with classical notes of chocolate, tobacco, and coffee
- FINISH: Spicy and lingering aftertaste
Tasting notes for cigar pairing:
Highly recommended - Montecristo No.2, 156 mm length and ring gauge 52:
This is the best Pyramid of the Habanos Vitola cigar range. It is rich in aroma and has a wonderful smoky taste with ever-increasing potency. With strong notes of toasted nuts, rich coffee, and vanilla, it is intense in flavour, with an outstanding aftertaste. Unforgettable
Alternative recommendation - Bolívar Coronas Gigantes, 178 mm length and ring gauge 47:
This Habano is rich in flavor, with a multitude of tastes but all greatly balanced. It has notes of rough earth, fruits, and strong black tobacco leaves, with toasted wood connotations and a hint of pepper. The bitterness lingers in the mouth to create an excellent Habano.
Rum Databank: Havana Club Tributo
Country of Origin: Cuba
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