I bought this bottle because I wanted to get better at making delicious Daiquiris. It was highly recommended due to its quality & its proximity with the cocktail, since both originate from Cuba. I can say this bottle brought my Mojitos to the next level as well. It will definitely keep its spot in my bar for a while.
“I’m astounded by how much I love sipping it neat.”
Havana Club Añejo 3 Años
Distilled by: Havana Club International S.A.
Type: Column Still Aged White Cuban Rum
Region: Santa Cruz del Norte & San José, La Habana, Cuba
Age: Blend of 3 years in ex-Bourbon barrels
ABV: 40% (80 proof)
Rum provenance: Cuba
Colouring: No
Appearance: 6.5/10
The Havana Club 3 comes in a tall cylindric clear bottle & is topped by a golden metallic screw cap. As always, my opinion varies depending on the type of product at hand. In this case, this rum is mostly intended as a mixer, so it is often empty before sunlight or oxygen had the time to affect the rum. However, to remain equal, I must treat it the same as any other bottle. In my glass, the liquid is clear with a near-transparent yellowish tint from the barrel-aging process. Upon swirling, I see some medium legs finding their way back into the liquid, but no crest is apparent. The rum seems to have an oily quality to its texture from the visual analysis.
Nose: 12.5/15
The nose has dominant aromas of fruits. I would even say overripe Bartlett Pears, bruised apples, fresh pineapples & juicy nectarines. I perceive some well-hidden notes of vanilla, sweet corn & turbinado syrup. There’s a mild ethanol aromas lending pleasant grassy & slightly sweet notes to the rum. It’s a pretty straightforward white rum with plenty of fruit aromas.
Mouth: 12.5/15
The rum has a certain sweetness to the palate but nothing cloying, just like a soft coating. There’s also a light acidity that complements the ethanol which is more present than on the nose. The body is surprisingly full & it has a mild oily texture, as predicted, which enhances the fullness of the mouthfeel. The flavours are heavy on the fruit just like it was on the nose. I get loads of juicy, slightly overripe orchard fruits along with more subtle notes of exotic pineapples, green bananas & juice-dripping-on-your-chin peaches. The vanilla takes up more space than on the nose, but remains in the background, only lending a bit of complexity.
Finish: 9/10
The finish is long with lasting notes of vanilla, Bartlett pears & a hint of tropical fruits. There’s a mild bitterness that seems to make its way on the finish, which counterbalances the perception of sweetness.
Overall: 81/100
I’m astounded by how much I love sipping it neat. I only thought about using it in my cocktails, but never stopped tasting it neat & I should have. It should have been obvious since it elevated my Mojito game to a completely different level. The bouquet is submerged by notes of fruits & the mouthfeel is rich, which is rare in young rums. It’s one of the most perfect bottles for anyone who doesn’t believe that white rums can have some complexity.
3-word Description:
Fruity, Oily & Off-Dry.
The Reference:
More information @havana-club.com
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