Cabeza Llena Cuba 1948

Whiskyfun"Rumour has it these extremely old Cubans, fully aged on the island, hail from the remaining stocks of the former Havana Club distillery, Vizcaya, which was nationalised and subsequently shuttered by Fidel, who redirected production to other facilities, notably Bacardi, which had also been nationalised. We've already had the chance to taste some examples from this 1948 stock, and they were so marvellous that, dare we say it, we almost feel compelled to thank Mr Castro, posthumously. Truth be told, these casks might never have survived without his intervention in the early 1960s... but claro, let’s move swiftly on. Colour: amber. Nose: the first impression is that of opening a box of fine chocolates from a top-tier chocolatier, think Patrick Roger, Ferber in Niedermorschwihr, or Jacques Génin, but precious woods soon come to the fore: rosewood, macassar ebony, walnut, with a sensation not unlike sitting inside a freshly reupholstered vintage Jag. Beeswax too. The rest unfolds in waves of toasted hazelnuts, pecans, delicate tobaccos (not necessarily Cuban), and a lovely infusion of linden blossom. It is, naturally, glorious. Mouth: the esters! Completely unexpected! That green olive and pickled gherkin sharpness, beautifully sour and acidic, then a medley of vintage sweets and cough syrups (PulMoll springs to mind) with eucalyptus and cinchona leading the dance for a while. Then come the chocolates again, especially fruit ganaches, with mango standing out. Simply irresistible. Finish: long, saline, almost sherry-like, with walnuts and lovely touches of rancio. Comments: more than just a great rum, this is a truly great spirit that should also delight fans of fine malt, cognac or armagnac." - 94/100 point