Cuban Rum's Lost Empire

[El Presidente]

 

 

Once the darling of the U.S. market, Cuban rum has been absent from American glasses for almost eight decades. How did it fall from grace, and can it reclaim its crown?

 

Cuba stands as one of the world’s great rum powerhouses, exporting nearly $100 million worth of the spirit each year. Yet not a single drop of those 164.9 million cases reaches American shores. Once the darling of the early 20th-century U.S. market, Cuban rum has been absent from American glasses for almost eight decades—a lingering casualty of Cold War politics. How did Cuban rum fall from grace, and can it ever reclaim its crown?

 

CONTINUED

 

[barrygoodvibes]

It’s a shame. I’ve had three Rums from Cuba. Each better than the last. Havana Club 7. Eminente 7, and Havana Club seleccione de maestros. I can’t believe how delicious and complex they are. 

[zacca]

I’ve never actually had Cuban rum and feel like I’m missing out. Is this like a NC smoker asking about Habanos?

[Cestis4]

Aged rum is my drink of choice. Every time I’m in London, I end up indulging in far too much Cuban rum. If you have the chance to try it, don’t pass it up.

[cybermadhatter]

Just finished some Santiago 8 year. Really good. 

[Duder]

Only had the pleasure of a couple different Cuban rums but both were the best examples of their kind. Planning on extensive travel abroad next few years so hoping to sample a few more. Shame they’re so hard to procure in the States. 

[Boss Hog]

Never leave the island without bringing back bottles of Santero 11 Añejo.

Absolutely delicious.

[M777]

Form the article: 

“Yet not a single drop of those 164.9 million cases reaches American shores.” 

I can’t help myself but peek into my liquor cabinet and think, when there’s a will, there’s a way… 

[Pmo13]

In the warmer months, I’m a sucker for the Havana Club Seleccion de Maestros. The entry level Cuban blends, not so much. The quality of a lot of a lot of Caribbean, Latin and even American rums has really skyrocketed in recent years.

[cybermadhatter]

I am on vacation in South Florida and my parents had a treat for me; Añejo Especial.  

[BrightonCorgi]

I had Cuban Bacardi once about 40 years ago. The regular white rum, and it tasted the same as the Puerto Rican version. The bottle aging didn't add that much.

[WestCoastSmokin]

Interesting article, hopefully one day I get to some Cuban rum! 

[BrightonCorgi]

I prefer Central American or Jamaican rum to Cuba & Haiti's style.

[cybermadhatter]

One last pic: From the Partagas Festival in 2016; Havana Club Union. We took it back to the casa to finish. Delicious. 

Better pic. It is the Cohiba Experience one. Very complex.