Tag: Don Pancho

Selvarey Owner’s Reserve aged rum from Panama

Thursday, April 22, 2021 / Robert Burr / 0 Comments

From the central regions of Panama — via Hollywood, California — here is a limited edition aged rum worthy of its title: Selvarey Owner’s Reserve.

The name Selva Rey is based on the Spanish translation of Jungle King. This fine aged owner’s reserve edition was conceived and developed by international super-star performer Bruno Mars, in collaboration with legendary master distiller and blender “Don Pancho” Fernandez — a king of rum in his own right.

Selvarey Owner’s Reserve aged rum was created by famed master blender “Don Pancho” Fernandez in Panama under the direction of international super-star Bruno Mars.

It’s obvious this product is meant to impress rum aficionados and collectors, as well as anyone who appreciates luxury spirts, with a decidedly sophisticated approach and elegant presentation.

Sustainability Issues

The distillery at Las Cabras makes a point of sustainable practices, using the disposed crushed cane to operate their steam boiler, driving a centrifugue that generates about seven megawatts, so the distillery runs on its own clean energy. Waste from the distillation process is used to fertilize the cane fields. They sow, cultivate and harvest their own sugar cane, controlling all aspects of the process.

Production Notes

Selvarey Owner’s Reserve is created by Don Pancho in Panama using his antique copper column stills. After aging in used American Oak Bourbon and Whiskey casks — using wood management techniques developed over decades in Cuba — the most outstanding marques for this owner’s reserve are masterfully selected and blended for near-perfect balance.

The resulting fine rum is bottled in limited edition for this special owner’s reserve release in a stunning package designed by Bruno Mars, featuring a tall statuesque elegant bottle enclosed in an artful box that faithfully reflects the unique nature and quality of the product.

Tasting Notes

Initial aromas of rich toasted oak, smokey honey, dark fruit and cocoa nibs are followed by suggestions of creamy vanilla and bread pudding. On the palate, a smooth entry of rich caramel, raisin and prune leads to treacle, hazelnut and vanilla custard with baking spices and toffee, before hints of old oak tannins and a bitter cacao note adds balance. The very long luxurious finish echoes the notes of charred oak, caramel, vanilla bean and cocoa.

Bruno Mars - Selvarey Owner's Reserve aged rum from Panama

Bruno Mars proudly presents his Selvarey Owner’s Reserve aged rum from Panama

Selvarey Owner’s Reserve is an exquisite example of the best of Panama’s rum, available in limited supply at select retailers in the USA as well as several online sources. It’s best enjoyed neat or with just a single cube of clear ice in a generous tumbler or proper tasting glass.

The 750ml bottle of SelvaRey Owner’s Reserve, bottled at 40% abv, sells for about $150.

Selvarey Rum web site
http://selvarey.com/

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Yolo Gold aged rum from Panama

Wednesday, January 20, 2016 / Robert Burr / 0 Comments

“You only live once” is the motto of a person who enjoys a sociable and luxurious lifestyle — and it’s the theme behind this delicious Yolo Gold aged rum.

Produced in Panama by master of rum Don “Pancho” Fernandez, Yolo Gold aged rum rests for ten years in charred oak bourbon barrels, developing a complexity of flavor and a deep mahogany color.

Yolo Gold is a ten year old dark mahogany colored aged rum created by master of rum Don Pancho Fernandez in Panama.

Philip Guerin’s enthusiasm for rum lead him to establish the brand along with his wife Jessica. With a lifetime of experience in marketing and brand development, they assimilated their talents, their passion and love for quality rum into this savvy Colorado-based brand.

This dark amber aged rum offers aromas of charred wood and toffee before a hint of burnt sugar balanced by a vegetal sweetness over cigar box. On the palate, cinnamon brûlée leads then fades to reveal a cognac-like wet wood into the long dry vanilla finish, well balanced between sweet and dry, offering a subtle hint of raw cocoa in the aftertaste.

Yolo Gold aged rum is the winner of numerous medals, including a Gold Award at the International Rum Expert Panel Tasting Competition in 2015.

Yolo Gold carries a list price of $44.99 for the 750ml bottle.

Caña Brava 7 year old aged rum from Panama

Tuesday, December 1, 2015 / Robert Burr / 0 Comments

A long awaited addition to Caña Brava’s line of fine spirits has arrived. The 86 Company today announced the release of Caña Brava 7 year old Reserva Añeja Rum, the first dark aged spirit in their portfolio.

Caña Brava 7 year old Reserva Añeja Rum from Panama is the latest release from the 86 Company, developed to make the finest classic and contemporary cocktails.

The 86 Company has announced Caña Brava 7-Year-Old Reserva aged rum from Panama, developed in concert with leading bartender of the world by master distiller and blender Don Pancho Fernandez.

Like the award-winning Caña Brava white rum, it was distilled and blended by legendary master of rum Don Pancho J. Fernandez in Panama with input from the professional bartending community for a spirit designed to excel in classic and contemporary cocktails.

Caña Brava 7 year old begins with a selection of young and fresh rums handpicked by the Master Distiller. The rums are blended to create an age base which is then further aged in used bourbon casks for over seven years before being bottled. Caña Brava 7 is a true aged expression of its lighter and younger sibling, Caña Brava 3-Year-Old.

After creating the Caña Brava 3-Year-Old Carta Blanca Rum, a small amount stayed in casks for further aging. After seven years of total aging this rum is now ready for a one-time release. Caña Brava 7’s character emphasizes the fresh cut sugarcane flavors associated with their style while the aging has added depth and richness you would expect from a rum with this age.

The surprisingly dry finish and higher than normal proof (45% ABV) give this rum additional body and flavor, making it very suitable for mixing in cocktails such as the El Presidente, Old Cuban and Rum Old Fashioned.

“We wanted to introduce a rum that would work like a rye whiskey in cocktails,” says Dushan Zaric, Co-Founder of The 86 Company.

The rum-making process begins with hand harvested sugarcane. The resulting fresh sugarcane molasses is rushed to fermentation and kick-started using Don Pancho’s distinct pineapple yeast. The molasses wash ferments for approximately 24 hours before being distilled in a vintage copper and brass still built in 1922.

The result is fresh aguardiente that is then aged in used American whiskey barrels for 2 to 3 years. This aged rum is gently filtered through charcoal before blending with fresh aguardiente to make the age base for Caña Brava rums. This blend is then further aged for seven years in used bourbon casks before being cut to 90 proof and bottled.

The 750ml bottle of Caña Brava 7 year old Reserva Añeja Rum retails for $44.99.

The 86 Company is comprised of notable industry experts Malte Barnekow, Kris Roth, Simon Ford, Jason Kosmas and Dushan Zaric. Their vodka, gin, tequila and rum products are created for mixing and formulated in partnership with highly respected artisanal distillers and recognized cocktail professionals. Their labels feature honest, useful information and a design tone of voice that mirrors the life style of a new breed of opinion former — The Career Bartender. This affinity trickles down to consumers in the know, making good drinks available to a broader audience.

Ron Duran 12 year old aged rum from Panama debuts

Friday, September 18, 2015 / Robert Burr / 0 Comments

A new aged rum, named for famed boxing champion Roberto Duran, was recently introduced to the U.S. market by Ekeko Fine Wines and Spirits of Houston Texas. Duran 12 year old aged rum, produced by Master Distiller and Blender Don “Pancho” Fernandez of Panama, was first shown at the Miami Rum Fest Trade Show in April.

Ron Duran 12 - From his copper column still in Panama, master blender Don Pancho Fernandez has created a masterpiece aged rum of 12 years in honor of famed boxer Roberto Duran.

Ron Duran is a fine aged rum produced in Panama by master blender Don Pancho Fernandez in honor of boxing legend Roberto Duran.

Ekeko today announced that Ron Duran 12 would soon be available widely in leading liquor retailers and venues throughout North America.

Roberto Durán Samaniego is a Panamanian former professional boxer, widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time. He retired in 2002 with a record of 120 fights, 104 wins and 69 KOs. The Associated Press voted Duran as the #1 lightweight boxer of the 20th century.

As a tribute to the master fighter, this Ron Duran 12 year old aged rum was specially crafted by Don Pancho for strength of character. This exquisite flavor profile is achieved by a blend of rum aged for 12 years in white oak whiskey barrels.

Ron Duran 12 rum uses the finest molasses from Panama and is distilled in copper columns using a proprietary yeast from the master blender. Don Pancho developed Duran rum to truly capture the essence of patience, passion, perseverance and triumph.

Aromas of buttery wet oak, cola nut and pistachio lead to creamy dry vanilla, orange blossom, dried fruits and toffee over creamy vanilla before a subtle hint of anise. On the palate, a well balanced coconut husk entry walks a fine line between sweet and dry as it cascades through cream soda, dark fruit, custard, toasted oak and coconut husk before dry toasted wood with hints of anise. Through the long finish, the palate remains well balanced.

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SelvaRey rum expands distribution

Tuesday, August 25, 2015 / Robert Burr / 0 Comments

From the wilds of Panama, SelvaRey (King of the Jungle) rum is flexing it’s distribution muscle as this award-winning brand today announced its expansion into new territories across the USA.

The company announced expanded distribution of his acclaimed SelvaRey Rums, including the aged white rum and cacao flavored rum made by Don Pancho in Panama.

Both the aged white rum and the delicious cacao flavored spirit drew critical acclaim from rum experts, reviewers and the public at the Miami Rum Fest and Trade Expo last year.

Initially distributed in California and Nevada, SelvaRey has grown its network of distributors to include Southern Wine and Spirits in Florida, Hawaii and South Carolina; Savannah Distributing in Georgia; Fedway Associates in New Jersey; Empire Merchants in New York; Lipman Brothers in Tennessee; and Washington Wholesale in the nation’s capital. Availability in Ontario, Canada is scheduled for the fall season.

Selvarey White Rum offers a medium viscosity, suggesting it’s been well aged (up to five years) and filtered to remove most of the color. The nose reveals subtle hints of vanilla and mineral water with soft sweetness, buttered toast and a touch of fresh cane. The palate finds a delicate balance of grassy cane, vanilla and spices leading to a medium dry finish. At 80 proof, this is an exceptional white rum for fine cocktails and plays well as a sipper. SelvaRey’s aged white rum was a 2015 Double Gold Medal Winner and named best white rum by TheFiftyBest.com.

The cacao rum is a well-crafted five year old Bourbon cask blend, one of the few flavored rums that drinks like a sipping rum. On the rocks, Selvarey Cacao rum opens up with accentuated tones of creamy vanilla and toasted oak under semi-sweet chocolate. SelvaRey Cacao rum won the 2014 Chairman’s Trophy at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge in New York City and the Gold Medal at the 2014 Miami RumFest.

In addition, the rums were rated 94 and 95 respectively by The Tasting Panel Magazine, the highest ratings ever in their categories in the magazine’s history.

Selvarey rums are created by Master Distiller Don Pancho Fernandez in Panama using his antique copper stills. The rums are bottled and imported by Pacific Plate Spirits of California. The suggested list price of the white rum is $24.99 for the 750ml bottle; $28.99 for the cacao.

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