The Best Latin American Bottles Of Rum You Need To Try

If you think of rum the Caribbean islands may well spring to mind. However there are lots of good distilleries in other parts of Latin America too. Here are some of the best ones to look out for.

A sign bears the name of Nicaragua’s famous rum, Flor de Cana

Flor de Caña 7 Años Gran Reserva, Nicaragua

With more than 125 years of history, this Nicaraguan brand is a true heavyweight. This bottle is a dark golden rum that tastes far better than its affordable price point would suggest. Pick up a bottle for around £25.

The El Dorado distillery has won many awards since it was founded in 1992, and the 15 Años is a triumph. It won the Wray & Nephew Trophy for Best Rum four years in a row at the International Wine & Spirits Challenge, so it must be half decent at least.

Santa Teresa 1796, Venezuela

Best enjoyed over ice or with mineral water, this Venezuelan single estate rum is made using the solera process. This means that the liquid is passed through a stack of casks over time, with younger rum added to older rum in the cask below.

Zacapa 23 Solera, Guatemala

Aged in the mountains of southern Guatemala, this rum is the most famous to be made in the Central American nation. The distillers also use the solera process as described above. It’s sweet and smooth and makes for a great little sipper on the rocks.

Viejo de Caldas 8 Años, Colombia

This distillery was set up by a Cuban in 1926 and has gone from strength to strength in recent decades thanks to clever marketing. The 8 Años is weaker than most at 35%, making it an easy sipper.

Santiago de Cuba Añejo, Cuba

While Havana Club might be the biggest name in Cuban rums, Santiago de Cuba is the aficionados choice. You will find the Añejo all over the island and in dedicated retailers around the world.

Abuelo 12 Años, Panama

This 12 year rum is aged in American white oak barrels and boasts a good vanilla flavour as a result. Tasting notes include dried tobacco and orange as well as coffee and banana. Another point of interest is that Abuelo is one of only a handful of distilleries that grow their own sugar cane.

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