What a time to introduce this single cask rum. Venezuelan rum is known to the mainstream/commercial rum consumer through brands like Diplomatico, Santa Teresa, or Pampero, but we rarely see anything bottled in high proof, unadulterated, single cask form. Rum for rum nerds, you might say.

A single cask brought to us by Eric Kaye of Holmes Cay, this is South American rum of the highest order. The rum was distilled in 2007 on column stills at what sometimes called the "Sofa" distillery (for trademark reasons on independent bottlings like this), properly known as Hacienda Santa Teresa, where the rum of the same name is produced. The rum was aged in ex-Bourbon barrels onsite at the distillery in Aragua Valley, Venezuela for 15 years before being transferred to New York and then bottled at a full bodied 55% abv without any added color or sweetener. The nose is peppery, citrusy, and inviting, with burnt caramel, aromatic orange zest, and a hint of clove and black pepper introducing the sip. The palate is dry but with a good amount of personality - it is lovely to taste the underlying character we've always loved in Santa Teresa rum, without any adulterants and at a fuller proof. Those citrus peel notes are met on the palate with intense vanilla, cocoa powder, dried apricot, and nutmeg - an ideal and characterful take on Spanish-style column still rum.