CONNECT
Are we friends on social media, yet? Use the buttons below to connect with us!
This past week, I was invited to attend a rum tasting event organized by Bacardi, the acclaimed rum factory that has a history of success but also of many challenges, including three coups d´etat, three earthquakes, four-teen years of civil war, military dictatorship and exile. For seven generations, the Bacardi family has been running this company, and in the process, accumulating prestigious awards and medals. Not many know that its very first award was gained at the World Fair Exhibition in Philadelphia back in 1876 where they happened to share the podium with the creators of the steam engine, the Remington typewriter, Graham Bell’s phone, and an electricity pioneer. Since then, they have accumulated nearly six-hundred awards and have gained worldwide recognition and prestige.
The rum tasting and pairing event took place at Costanera 700 where a few privileged lunch guests had the opportunity to taste the ultra-premium rum Facundo Collection. This collection consists of four blends that originate in the Bacardi private reserves and that were originally created for the likes and use of the family alone. On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the company, the family decided to share these special blends, and they also took this opportunity to launch the Facundo Collection. The entire collection consists of 12,000 bottles worldwide, of which some will now be available in Peru (LC Group). These are luxury blends with prices that can go anywhere between three-hundred to one-thousand dollars.
Leading us through the tasting experience that day was Rum Master David Cid, a Global Rum Ambassador, and a highly knowledgeable rum expert who helped us appreciate these exclusive distilled drinks. We first tasted the premium Reserva Extra Limitada, a blend of rums with ten to sixteen years in barrel that had vanilla and dark fruit notes, and was fairly subtle. We then passed on to the Facundo collection and we had the Facundo Exquisito, a blend of rums aged between seven to twenty-three years in barrel, with dry fruits and caramel notes which was just like its name indicates: exquisite. Our last sipping was of Paraíso, a blend of dark rums aged between eighteen to twenty-three years in barrel, with fruity notes and a strong character. The three rums were all incredibly smooth, aromatic and flavorful, but my favorite was the Facundo Exquisito. I liked its intense red oak color, the amazing aroma that stays behind for a long while, and its wonderfully smooth taste and texture.
The rum tasting was beautifully paired with a Sole tartare, delicious Smoked Scallops with miso sauce, a Crab Causa, Pork, duck and ribs with rice, and a Piglet with mashed potatoes prepared by the Costanera 700 experienced hands. The superb chocolates from Giovana Maggiolo were the perfect end of a rum-re-discovering journey.
Cover photo: Roxana Garmendia