Distilled in 1956 during the Batista regime, in the midst of the Cuban revolution, this unique rum echoes the carefreeness of a period when evenings in Cuba were light, like the cocktails associated with them.
The discovery of a rum, distilled in 1956, aged for 68 years in the tropical climate of Cuba, is exceptional for several reasons. To obtain this unique barrel, it was necessary to concentrate the nectars from more than fifty barrels since the angels’ share (the loss linked to the natural evaporation of the rum during its maturation in the cellars), is of the order 8% per year in Cuba. Also due to its aroma, because under the Batista regime, at the beginning of the Cuban revolution, the evenings in Cuba were light, like the cocktails associated with them: refined, non-saturating, offering dazzling freshness and softness on the palate.
Taking advantage of prohibition, Cuban mixology then experienced a tremendous boom, relying on local rums with a refined character: the blend ofschnapps aromatic and light rums that the rum masters aged in oak barrels for several years. This is how, thanks to Bartenders Clubthe association of Cuban bartenders created in 1924, the iconic daïquiri (born at the end of the 19th century) and cuba libre (around 1895) are sublimated, while the El Presidente was created around 1915 at the Floridita, in Havana, and that the mojito, since 1942, has been emulated all over the world.
A revolutionary rum
But it was unique, with much less polished and much more revolutionary accents. It glimpses, through its strong aroma, the landing, the same year by Fidel Castro and Che Guevera at Playa Las Coloradas, the guerrilla war in the foothills of the Sierra Maestra and what the Castroist coup will be a few months later. This rum constitutes an aromatic cavalry which builds a gourmet connection (glazed chestnut, baba, chocolate with hazelnuts) between fine fruitiness (ripe strawberry, jammed apricot) and multiple licorice (black, red, filled) which accentuates its contours. It nourishes a creamy structure (quince liqueur, fig jam) that the black cherry and overripe damson perfectly balance. The tension is lustrous with precious essences (rosewood, rosewood) and the mouthfeel is structuring (cinnamon, sassafras) and layered.
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SDP
A treasure found, like an old galleon, which bears the name ofToday Like Yesterday (Today like yesterday), in reference to a work by the Cuban multidisciplinary artist Aconcha. It is also the title of a song by the Cuban virtuoso Benny Moré, whose tenor voice knew how to color the musical expression of the time, a title which initially appeared in a cult film from 1956: Don’t ever forget me (Never forget me), like this rum that we will not soon forget.
Velier, Cuban Rum 1956 ‘Hoy Como Ayer’, 68 years, 53.7%, €1,790 (285 bottles only worldwide)
