Ron Cubay Tasting Notes

Cuba has a history when it comes to rums. Both Bacardi and Havana, two of the biggest names in the rum world, have an affiliation with the country. But there’s a third, and that name has hit the UK shores these past few years.

Hailing from the centrally located Santo Dominco distillery of Cuba Ron S.A in Villa Clara, Ron Cubay, or the ‘Taste of the Centre’, has been in production since 1967, but only in 2010 did it reach Europe after initially being created solely for domestic consumption. Cuba’s climate makes it one of the best places to produce sugar cane, the basis of any rum, and of course the base for Ron Cubay’s expressions. 

So how does the newcomer fare? Well below, I give to you my tasting notes on the core range –

Ron Cubay Carta Blanca – 38%

Aged for three years. A slight scent of sugarcane on the nose that follows onto the palate. A warmth develops with flavours of fruit and dry wood combining. Bursts of fresh sugar hit near the end, and creates a mouth-watering finish. Lingers a little.

Ron Cubay Añejo – 38%

Aged in white oak for more than five years. A blend of light honey and demerara sugar on the nose, with the wood notes coming through at the end. Starts slowly with vanilla flavours, but develops with a rush of fresh sugar, flesh juicy fruit and a finish of leather and raisin. A long, slightly dry end.

Ron Cubay Reserva Especial – 40%

Aged for ten years in oak barrels. A dark treacle nose is present, with a thick honey glaze on the end. Chewy on the palate, with a soft, velvet texture of dark fruits, raisins, smoked fudge and heavy oak tannins. Incredibly long and inviting.

Some really great tots on their own, but for something like the Carta Blanca, you may find it more suited towards this –

Daiquiri

Glass – 

Martini

Ingredients –

45 ml Ron Cubay Carta Blanca
20 ml Lime juice
5 ml Simple syrup

Method – 

Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice cubes. Shake well. Strain in chilled Martini glass.

The Reserva Especial is a cracking expression, very different to what you would expect, and a worthy winner of the Best Premium Rum at the 2012 Dutch Rum Awards. The Ron Cubay packaging is also an award winner, as well as the Añejo winning Best Golden Rum at the 2012 Dutch Rum Awards. Although there are two more expressions which are available in Cuba but not yet Europe (a 4 yr and 5yr old), you wouldn’t mind too much at all as you’ll be sharing this new brand with your friends and family at home or hopefully soon in your local bar. 

© David Marsland and Drinks Enthusiast 2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog/sites author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to David Marsland and Drinks Enthusiast with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.