Santa Theresa 1796 Solara Rum

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Gifted a bottle of the 1796 solara rum so I was looking forward to completing this review. I believe this is my first experience with a solara rum although I may have sampled one unknowingly upon a Carribean cruise to the Dutch Antilles.

In the glass is a 1796 Santa Theresa rum from Venezuela distilled by the Vollmer family to celebrate the bicentennial of the Hacienda Santa Theresa. Packaged in an attractive tube the heavy bottle has an unique shape complete with a dipped waxed neck and cork. Classic labeling to complete a traditional saloon look.

In a simplified description of the solara system it basically requires inter-connected barrels of rum tiered upon each other with the oldest aged rum on the bottom and newer (less aged) kegs ascending to the top. When a percentage of the bottom barrel aged rum is bottled rums from the other kegs will descend thus replenishing all the tiered barrels. The top (youngest) keg then gets topped up with new rum. The resulting spirit is a blend of old, middle aged and younger rums for a complex, balanced and consistent rum.

This does make age statements in solara rums  controversial as there is no way to really determine the exact percentage of aged rum in any given bottle.

In the glass the 1796 shows a brilliant amber. With a pleasant nose and mouth feel I experience a predominance of dried fruit upon the palate with a touch of vanilla. The excellent finish is smooth yet complex and where I ascertain notes of cinnamon and spice. It is quite delicious neat in the glass. I usually prefer some ice with my rum but can be quite happy going it alone with the 1796.

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