Banned For Public Disorder - El Ron Prohibido Rum

Something seductive has landed in my lap... it's a new rum!

This really is exciting, as we have been trying to get hold of this unique rum since it was released last year. Let's just say that UK suppliers were a little thin (read: non-existent!) on the ground, but true to form, we have triumphed where others have failed. The rum in question is called El Ron Prohibido Habanero, and we are the first retailers in the UK to receive some. It is here now, and it's quite simply delicious!

So why all the big fuss? The name El Ron Prohibido Rum Habanero is Spanish for "The Forbidden Rum." With a name like that, it had better have a good story behind it! Luckily, it does.

In the latter part of the 17th century, the major European powers were vying for control of the New World, and cargo ships heavily laden with goods were arriving in Mexico and the Americas with increasing regularity. The Spanish brought casks of sweet red wine with them, and by all accounts, it didn't take them long to polish it off! Their attention soon turned to Chinguirito, a type of Mexican rum made from sugar cane, and many long nights of fun ensued.

When it was time to return to Spain, they decided to fill the empty sweet wine barrels with Chinguirito. On the voyage back, the rum matured in the casks and absorbed characteristics of both the wood and the wine residue. This new combination was an instant hit, and it was named Ron Habanero, as the last stop in the New World was Habana, Cuba. Once it landed back in Spain, it was regarded as a high-quality product, offering an unusual combination of sweetness and bitterness.

However, it became too popular for its own good. Traders grew concerned that Ron Habanero was damaging sales of local spirits, and excessive consumption led to public disorder, debauchery, and anti-social behaviour. To restore order, King Felipe V De Bourbon decreed that Chinguirito was outlawed in Spain.

Luckily for rum lovers everywhere, El Ron Prohibido Habanero is back and better than ever! This premium, artisan rum is produced under a 12-year solera system. Its distinctive sweet-and-sour taste comes from blending rums of different aging profiles with used raisin wine barrels, resulting in a wide range of delicious aromas and flavours.

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Appearance: Dark brown with a touch of red.

Nose: Sweet with intense notes of dried fruits, raisins, and prunes. Aromas of vanilla, wood, walnut, butter, chocolate, and coffee add depth.

Palate: Raisin, prune, walnut wood, with hints of chocolate and coffee.

Finish: Long and silky, with a touch of caramel and slight bitterness.

The Ideal Serve: Best enjoyed neat to appreciate the bittersweet tones imparted by the unique aging process. However, it's your drink—so enjoy it however you prefer!

1. Extraction: Sugar cane is cut and squeezed in mills to extract juice. A second extraction with water follows, then the juice is clarified.

2. Fermentation: Yeast is added, and water dilutes the juice for better results. After fermentation, the liquid is called mosto or cane wine.

3. Distillation: The mosto is distilled in stills or distillation columns for large-scale production.

4. Aging: Typically aged in oak barrels, with different aging durations affecting flavor and aroma.

5. Solera System: Younger rums are blended with older ones, yielding a complex profile. The final blend in raisin wine barrels adds sweet and bitter notes, making it stand apart from other rums.