Rum with a hint of sherry

DON PAPA RUM presents a baroqueinspired innovation with a limited edition flavor from four sherry blends.

The Bleeding Heart Rum Company has just released its fourth product since its founding in 2012 — the Limited Edition Sherry Cask Finish. It is aged for four years in American Oak bourbon casks, then a further 18 months in four sherry casks — Fino, which gives the light in color and dry flavor; Pedro Ximenez for its sweetness; Cream, for the velvet- texture; and Palo Cortado for its nuttiness. The rum contains 45% ABV.

It is distilled in Negros province where the volcanic soil, along with the warm and humid climate, bring richness to the sugarcane on Mt. Kanlaon which is used to make the rum.

At the launch on July 10 in Intramuros, Manila, Bleeding Heart Rum Company senior regional brand manager for Asia Pacific Cristhel Molina told BusinessWorld that the country’s humidity contributes to achieving the rum’s flavor.

“The humidity contributes to the aging. For instance, a seven-year-old aged [dark] spirit here is equivalent to 21 years in Scotland. Because of the humidity, you have a faster aging process, at the same time you lose [a lot of more of ] the liquid. The evaporation contributes well to spirits because it makes a very potent spirit,” citing the term “angel share” about process of evaporating the liquid inside the barrel.

Ms. Molina added that the trend in sherry cask finishing of dark spirits such as whisky and cognac over the past 10 years inspired the Don Papa team to innovate on their own blend.

The light amber- colored rum has a smooth and fruity smell with hints of ripe raisin, plum, dark chocolate, and ripe figs. It leaves a long velvet-like texture down the throat.

The bottle is designed with the signature profile of Papa Isio, a sugar plantation foreman turned hero who fought during the Philippine revolution for independence. The label comes in a combination of plum, black, and gray which reflects the multilayered and complex baroque design.

Ms. Molina said that the team is looking forward to coming up with more innovations when it comes to flavors and finishes in the next five years.

The Sherry Cask Finish rum is produced in limited quantities and will be available in the Philippines by the end of July, and globally by the end of August. It will be locally available in select retail outlets, hotels, and bars for P3,500 SRP. —