Abuelo 12 Gran Reserva from Panama

July 22, 5:27 PM
Written by Robert A. & Robert V. Burr

The Abuelo brand has earned the respect of many top connoisseurs of rum around the world with their affordable añejo and award-winning 7 year aged rum. Now the company has released their Ron Abuelo Añejo 12 Años Gran Reserva to great acclaim.

Aged in small white oak barrels near the equator, this unpretentious brand presents a spirit of surprising sophistication and complexity often found in far more expensive bottles. Well aged, and extremely well blended, the Abuela 12 presents bold oak and vanilla notes, dry spiciness and rich caramel tones with a long-lasting, warm mellow finish.

This rum plays well in a snifter, exuding heavy and ripe aromas reminiscent of fine brandy or cognac. At $35, it’s competing comfortably in a class with rums twice its price.

Using local cane from the 800 hectare estate near the distillery in Pesé, Panama, the company has been making rum since 1908. During the dry season, fresh cane juice is fermented and distilled in a system of 4 columns to produce Seco Herrerano, the national drink of Panama. During the rainy season, sugar is extracted from the juice and the molasses is fermented and distilled to make rum for Abuelo and Cortez brands. The company prides itself in combining the best of traditional methods with modern and sophisticated techniques to produce refined rum products year after year.