Overview
Brand: Holmes Cay
Origin: Destileria Sofa, El Consejo, Aragua, Venezuela
Still: Column
Age: 15 years
Finish: ex-Bourbon
ABV: 55%
For many in the rum community, a column-distilled, Latin American style rum may not seem very interesting, let alone anything to be excited about. When I heard the details of this Venezuelan release from Holmes Cay, however, I was intrigued.
Holmes Cay Venezuela 2007 is labeled as being distilled at "Destileria Sofa" in Aragua, Venezuela; the problem is, there is no such distillery with that name in that state. Instead, this is a common pseudonym for Hacienda Santa Teresa, the producer behind Santa Teresa 1796.
It is a molasses-based rum that was produced using a column still, and aged for 15 years in ex-bourbon casks, entirely at origin. The rum was bottled in New York state at 55% ABV.
What's exciting to me about this rum is that it is a high proof, single cask, additive-free expression of a rum that is typically 80 proof with sweeteners added. Let's take a look at what an unadulterated Santa Teresa rum is like.
Appearance
Brown, low viscosity
Nose
Vanilla wafer, crème brûlée, toasted almonds, peppercorns, brown sugar
Palate
Vanilla, brown sugar, molasses, black pepper, custard, hint of medjool date
Finish
Long, hot, tannic; brown sugar, oak, vanilla, medjool dates
Rating: 8/10
Summary
While on its face the notes on this doesn't seem like the most exciting rum, Holmes Cay Venezuela is just dang good. It has the hallmarks of Latin American rum, but packs a punch at a full proof.
Vanilla, brown sugar, and custard/crème brûlée are the major notes I get throughout tasting my pour, with black peppercorns, dates, and toasted almonds as supporting elements. It's a fairly dry rum, but very enjoyable even if it isn't the most complex.
Holmes Cay Venezuela shows that there is a lot to love about the oft-overlooked column distilled rums of Latin America– if they are presented in a way that can highlight their craft.