Angel's Share Title
Santa Teresa 1796
Speyside Whisky Cask Finish
While shopping in Atlanta, I found this rum on the shelf beside the Santa Teresa 1796 expression I have kept in stock in my home bar for years. There was very little fanfare with this release, so I was curious if this was strategic or a lack of confidence. So, I bought the rum to review and began researching the product. According to the brand, the Santa Teresa 1796 Speysde Whiskey Cask Finish rum aging and blending process begins with the traditional blend of three different rums aged separately, then blended by Maestro Ronero. Then this blend is aged through four rows of Hogshead casks, creating their traditional Solera cask aging system. The final part of the aging process is done in large French Limousin oak vats that are never emptied to create the final flavor profile of their core rum. However, for this product, the rum is aged for an additional 13 months in previously used Speyside whisky casks. After the finishing process is completed, the rum is bottled at 46% ABV. This limited edition expression is the first in a new series the Maestro Roneros at Santa Teresa have crafted for rum connoisseurs to enjoy.
Santa Teresa 1796
Appearance
The bottle was purchased in a black tube with white, gray, and gold script. The top of the tube is secured with a red cap that is the same color as the red wax seal used on Santa Teresa bottles. The cap has the Santa Teresa logo with the words “Passion with Purpose Santa Teresa” featured on it. The back of the tube provides detailed information about the company’s aging process.Removing the 750-ml bottle from the tube, I discovered the custom Santa Teresa bottle design with the cork secured to the bottle in the traditional wax covering. The labels provide basic information about the rum. I could not find a security strip, so I cut the wax and removed the synthetic cork, revealing the strip submerged in the wax.The liquid in the bottle and glass has a dark ruby color with amber highlights. Swirling the liquid created a medium band that slowly thickened and released one wave of slow-moving legs, then additional waves of fast-moving legs before leaving a ring of residue and pebbles around the tasting glass.
Nose
The aroma of the rum is interesting; it leads with a whisky note front and center, balanced by turbinado sugar. After the liquid rested, I found notes of caramel, baked peaches, toasted smoky oak tannins, and black pepper in the profile.
Palate
The first sip delivered notes of sweet caramel and vanilla as the slight burn of the alcohol conditioned the mouth. Additional sips revealed notes of apricots and peaches, a light barley nuttiness, dark cacao, and charred oak tannins. As the rum transitions toward the finish, the oak tannins begin to take over, and pops of black pepper hit, with sherry notes coming in as the rum fades into a long, dry finish.
Review
It is always interesting when brands work with cask finishes, and I was curious how this rum would compare to the Santa Teresa 1796 that I have explored and featured at tastings in the past. I was pleasantly surprised at how the whisky influenced and altered the flavors of the core rum and turned it into something special and different. I can see where this rum would be a fun one to experiment with in a variety of cocktails, but I will focus on sharing it in tastings so others can enjoy the unique flavor experience. For anyone who enjoys the Santa Teresa line or aged Spanish-style rums, I recommend picking up Santa Teresa 1796 Speyside Cask Finish rum to sip and savor.
