Matusalem Solera 23 Blender Gran Reserva French Oak

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 40% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: No

Special Features:

French oak from former Bordeaux casks shapes this Gran Reserva. Matusalem combines this cask selection with Solera maturation, in which rums at different stages of maturity are brought together. This gives the bottling a wood-led, spicy character with a tendency towards dryness.

Honey and nuts provide a counterpoint to the wood and spice notes. In the glass, the rum displays an intense amber colour with copper highlights. It comes from the Dominican Republic and is offered at 40% in a bottle containing 0.7 litres with gift packaging. It can be enjoyed neat, on ice or in cocktails.

Undergrowth, hazelnut and balsamic spice notes broaden the aromatic spectrum.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: On the nose, honey, wood and vanilla mingle with spice notes and red fruits. Cinnamon and cloves add to the aromas, while the oak has a dry character.
• Palate: On the palate, wood notes meet honey and nuts. Berries and dried fruit complement the delicate, balanced flavour. Pink pepper adds to the spicy character.
• Finish: Spices and pleasantly dry oak remain present in the lingering finish. A hint of vanilla accompanies the aftertaste.

Distillery/Bottler:

Matusalem's roots lie in Santiago de Cuba. There, Spanish-born Pablo Nonell introduced the Solera process at his distillery as early as 1872. The method, previously used for sherry and brandy, was thus applied to rum production at an early stage. In 1888, Nonell registered the swallow as a trademark and handed the business over to his nephews Enrique and Benjamin Camp.

The marriage of Eduardo Camp and Justina Álvarez Lefebre in 1912 brought the Camp and Álvarez families together; the Álvarez family later took over the management of the company. Following exile in Miami and a period of family disputes, Claudio Álvarez Salazar revived the brand in the 1990s and moved its production facilities to the Dominican Republic. Production there was firmly established by 2016. Today, the fifth generation carries on the family legacy. The combination of Solera maturation and deliberate cask selection remains central to the approach used for French Oak.

Facts: