AGED WITH A HINT OF WOOD
Normally reserved for the whiskey market, a new limited-edition cask-finished rum has been unveiled at Barcadí
IF YOU LOVE RUM you will want to get your hands on the latest offering from Bacardí. The leading rum brand has announced a new limited edition Bacardí Reserva Ocho Sherry Cask Finish. The new and rare rum is part of the brand’s new Premium portfolio range, and marks the start of a five-year collection, which will see Bacardí unveil a new cask finish each year. All through to 2025, each cask finish will change each year based on the type of barrel used for the additional ageing.
An Ode To Heritage
According to Bacardí, the rum blends from the new Reserva Cask Finish series are similarly crafted by the brand’s master blenders who selected the esteemed Reserva Ocho as the base. This choice is based on the original recipe from the family reserve created in 1862, and is a symbol of the brand’s heritage. The Oloroso sherry cask was chosen as the first finish in the series to honour its origins from Spain, much like Bacardí founder, Facundo Bacardí Massó,
Each of the Premium rums from the Bacardí Reserva Cask Finish series will begin with a base of Bacardí Reserva Ocho, aged under the Caribbean sun. It will then then be finished for several additional months in a unique barrel, the choice of which will change from year to year.
The finishing process differs from the ageing process by increasing the complexity of the spirit ‒ in this case, adding subtle notes of chocolate and almond, which are not typically found in Bacardí Reserva Ocho.
This year’s inaugural release has been aged in American oak barrels for eight months to two years and then finished in an Oloroso sherry cask for two more months. These additional months in the sherry cask allow the blend to take on a sweet, smooth velvety texture with notes of caramel, vanilla and orange, along with hints of walnut and almond.
The result is a deep mahogany flavour.
A luxurious libation, it is best enjoyed neat at room temperature in a tasting glass. This will bring out the full flavours of the finish.
The Growth Of Rum
Premium rums are a growing segment in the market, and there is no better time to announce the launch of the new programme than now. According to Nielsen, the revenue from Rum Cask Finishes is growing by over 190 per cent.
As Cask Finishes are most commonly found within the whiskey segment, Bacardí is seeking to entice whiskey drinkers to explore outside of the category through the launch of its new five-year Reserva Cask Finish Series.
To accompany the launch of this new product, Bacardí is teaming up with famed celebrity photographer, Cam Kirk, to create an original NFT (non-fungible token) inspired by the new Reserva
Ocho Sherry Cask Finish.
The partnership between Bacardí and Kirk is the embodiment of the rum brand’s ethos, ‘Do What Moves You’. It stands as a guiding principle rooted in self-expression and connectivity, celebrating creativity and individuality. The NFT will go on sale on 1 September for just two weeks.
Proceeds from the NFT sale will directly benefit the “Backing the B.A.R.” initiative, presented by the NAACP and sponsored by family-owned Bacardi. The new Bacardí Reserva Ocho Sherry Cask Finish is available in 750mL bottles with a 40 per cent ABV.