According to "The Spirit Business", Cuba's Havana Club announced that they have developed a new recipe and bottle for their Anejo Especial expression. This is to celebration of their Latin American roots. The new Anejo Especial blends rums that have been aged in white young oak casks to produce an expression with notes of vanilla and caramel and an underlying scent of tobacco, cinnamon and orange peel.Along with the new formulation, there is a new bottle and label for the package. Aiming for a better shelf eye appeal,
"the label is styled to look "handwritten" with an oak barrel graphic to highlight the craftsmanship and Havana Club's core values of authenticity, quality, and tradition".
“At the Havana Club distillery in Cuba, we are continuously
working on developing new recipes that will appeal to a wide range of rum fans
around the world,” said Havana Club’s Maestro Ronero, Asbel Morales.
"He added that the edition has a unique flavour profile as the rum
undergoes an unusual aging process before being blended and aged for a second
time."
“The influence of the barrel aging is evident in the flavor
profile with notes of vanilla and caramel really coming to the fore, which
makes it an ideal base for Cuban cocktails, particularly the Cuban Libre.”
Nick Blacknell, international marketing director for Havana Club
International, said the brand hoped Añejo Especial would also entice whisky
drinkers “looking for equally good, yet more exciting alternatives to their
brand”.
He said: “With this new formulation and premium look, we are
confident that Havana Club Anejo Especial will satisfy demand from sociable
young adults seeking a naturally sweeter taste profile, but for whom
authenticity and high quality are equally important purchasing cues.”
The rum will continue to be presented in a 40% abv. This is a rum that has all the earmarks of the traditional Havana Club rum, but is being aimed at the palates of those looking for a sweeter than normal Havana Club expression. The rum will be launched in September in Germany, and then spreading to the rest of the world over the next year. ;o)
