As I said in my last review, I like Rum. It’s my second favorite spirit after whisky and I I think I tasted around 30 or so different rums so far and I’m a proud owner of 3 different Rum bottles distilled locally by a friend (I’ll post notes for those sometime soon).

About a month ago, another friend of mine received from Havana Club representative a bottle of Havana Club Seleccion de Maestros and he was kind enough to share it with me and some other bloggers (Thanks Shai!) but due to the unreliable post system I got them only after Easter/Passover. But as they say, better later then never so let’s talk some Rum!

I’ve tasted the popular Havana Club 7 years in the past but this one is on a higher grade  and as the name says – it’s the work of Havana Club Master Roneros – he selected some finest aged rums, put them in specially selected barrels (for best wood impact and maximum aroma) and from those to build the final expression. Seems like lots of work go into this one, so lets go ahead and taste it.

Havana Club Seleccion de Maestros (45%, buy for £44.55 here or €43.95 here)

Nose: Sweet dark caramel leaning toward burnt sugar, pecans pie, bit of tobacco, lots of nutmeg and some cinnamon, chocolate, vanilla and oak spices, quite active and lively on the nose for 45% rum.

Palate: Hmm, sweet caramel but not so strong as hinted by the nose, espresso, cacao, leather, spicy almost on the bitter side, very smooth and surprising.

Finish: Sweet dark caramel, fruity, hints of cigar smoke, some oak and lingering warming heat.

Conclusion: I think I like this one. It’s much better than the standard Havana Club 7 for it’s more complex and coming with lots of flavors and complexity the 7 yo is lacking. However, I still prefer El Dorado for its’ herbal/agricole side but can see this one as a nice addition to go along some cigars.