Panama will be forever famous for the engineering feat completed exactly 100 years ago.  The canal which connected the Atlantic and Pacific oceans allowing ships to bypass the lengthy and treacherous Cape Horn route which had been in existence for hundreds of years.  But, Panama is also home to one of the world’s finest rums.

Selvarey (which means “king of the jungle”) is made in the Herrera province which happens to be one of the largest producers of sugar cane in Central America.  The rums are distilled in copper column stills, which is quite unusual, but lends a lot of character and flavor to the final product.  They are then aged in American Oak ex-bourbon casks.  The white rum is a blend of three and five-year old expressions, while the cacao is a five-year old which is infused with locally grown chocolate.

Selvarey Rum (80 proof)
Visual: Clear.
Nose: Tangy, almost fruity notes greet your olfactory senses with a rich, and welcoming depth.  Quite evocative.
Taste: Warm, round and tropical notes, with a hint of coconut.  Very friendly and laid back.  A lot of personality comes through.  This is a rum you want to make life-long friends with.
Finish: Medium long, with lingering notes of barley sugar and fresh cane juice.
Overall: A high quality rum that just gets better with each sip.  Impressive!
GSN Rating: A+

Selvarey Cacao (70 proof)
Visual: Light brown.
Nose: Cocoa powder.
Taste: This is what all other chocolate rums hope to be, but fall short.  Just the right balance of rum flavor and natural and unsweetened cocoa.  Not overly sweet, but more refined and elegant.  A masterful blend of distillation and infusion.
Finish: Long lingering notes of cocoa and sweet rum.
Overall: Many flavored rums tend to extremes.  This one in no way can be improved upon.  A true artisanal rum that everyone should try at least once in their life.
GSN Rating: A++

For more information go to: Selvarey

Filed under: Spirits & Liqueurs