The Return of Rum

April 2004 -- As the premium rum category continues to grow, consumers are seeking specialty boutique rum like fine cognacs. Grand Havana Rum is one of the very few types of rum in the world that is still produced today as it was in the turn of the 19th century.

Grand Havana Rum is still produced as it was in Havana, Cuba, at the turn of the 19th century. Back then Don Tirso Arregui, who had a vast knowledge of chemistry, began to produce his home-distilled libation. The present formula was reached after 10 years of work in which friends and relatives built up the recipe with their suggestions and tastes.

The Arregui family migrated to the United States at the beginning of the sixties, and in recent years decided it was the time to make a great dream come true. The fourth generation of the Arregui family rescued this precious jewel: the family recipe of Grand Havana Rum.

Fermentation is the process by which sugar is converted into ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide by the action of yeast. Molasses, a by-product of the manufacture of sugar cane, is used as the source of Grand Havana Rum. Since Cuba grow its own sugar cane in Grenada during their occupation of that island, now we are able to use partially molasses from Cuban sugar canes now growing in Grenada. Our rum also has developed its own strain of yeast, which contributes to its distinct character.

Grand Havana Rum is distilled today with the traditional method that has been handed down since the inception of rum making in Cuba and the rest of the Caribbean. Our rum is distilled in Cooper Kettle Still. Pot Still (or double distillate) creates rum much richer in character than most single distillate rums. Grand Havana Rum is allowed to mature up to 7 years in our sherry casks brought over from Spain; this allows it to acquire an aromatic character like the world’s finest cognacs.

Rum is a spirit that improves with age and that principle is taken into consideration in this recipe. Grand Havana Rum utilizes 40-gallon sherry casks brought over from Spain that have been charred on the inside. These casks (barrels) were once used to age the fines Sherries (cognacs) from Spain. The permeability of the oak allows air to flow and allows the rum to mellow. The Spanish sherry casks also contribute to the rum smooth taste and give the rum its warm golden color.

The final secret of exceptional rum is blending. What separates us from other rums is that we only blend the different batches from our pot still productions. This is what sets GRAND HAVANA RUM apart creating its unique heavy body and greater persistence.

The Arregui family is keeping its commitment to maintaining highly specialized operations throughout Grand Havana Rum making process.

Grand Havana Rum is packaged in a beautiful canister simulating alligator skin.

For more information visit www.grandhavanarum.com

SOURCE Grand Havana Rum