October 2012 - Santa Teresa Gran Reserva

[Edward Hamilton]

After last month's rum that costs more than the annual rum budget of most visitors to this site, I'd happy to feature a rum that shouldn't be overlooked by anyone looking for a great rum that won't break the budget.

From Venezuela, a country known for great rums, comes Santa Teresa Gran Reserva. Best known for their flagship, 1796 Antiguo de Solera, Santa Teresa grows most of their own sugar cane and supplements that with sugar cane grown on a neighboring estate owned by family members. All of the cane is crushed at a sugar mill owned by the Vollmer family, who also own Santa Teresa. Every bottle of Santa Teresa rum is bottled by the Santa Teresa company ensuring a clear chain of accountability from the fields to the bottle in your hand.

Gran Reserva is a blend of rums aged up to five years in used American bourbon and whisky barrels. Despite being a great mixer, Gran Reserva should be tasted neat to really appreciate the rich dark fruit, spice and smoky oak flavors of this aged rum.

[SeldomSeen]

In honor of Santa Teresa's Gran Reserva being the "Rum of the Month", I decided to break a bottle out for last nights pre-snooze beverage. While it is sip able neat, it is barely so for my palate. I prefer it served on ice where IMHO this Rums flavors become more approachable. But that's just me. However, it also makes an excellent mixer. Had it in a Rum Tonic a couple days ago while seeking relief from the +100 degree weather we have been experiencing here in SoCal. The combo of lime and tonic really brought out this Rums best qualities. Sadly though, it has become difficult to come by in my neck of the cactus patch. Total Wine has discontinued all of Santa Teresa's line-up here. The only silver lining in this local extinction was my luck in discovering the close-out in time to take advantage of the mark downs,.... picked up the last 8 bottles of the the Gran Reserva for $6 a piece, and the last 5 bottles of the Rhum Orange for $10 a piece,......
and the Rhum Orange makes a superior substitute for Orange Curacao in a Mai Tai. I may never go back.

[Ben]

10$ for ST Orange Rum Liqueur? It is over 50$ here! Aaargh!

[SeldomSeen]

Well,... both were close-outs..... they wanted to get rid of them and I was more than happy to oblige.

But when it's gone, a re-supply of the Rhum Orange will cost me $36 per bottle, tax and a 90 mile round trip drive. So I feel your pain.

[Ben]

Best rum liqueur I've ever tasted.