Founded in 2020 as a collaboration between French luxury group LVMH and Cuban Ron, one of only two state companies that distills rums in Cuba, Eminente has been charged with the mission of reviving traditional 19th Century Cuban rums, with a focus on the use of the highly aromatic aguardiente cane spirit. Eminente has since been operated under the direction of Camille de Dominicis and Maestro Ronero Cesar Marti, the youngest Maestro Ronero in the world. Using 120 varieties of Cuban sugarcane, Eminente touts the highest proportion of use of aguardiente in its Cuban rums, which are then aged in ex-Bourbon white oak barrels as is local tradition.

In the Eminente Gran Reserva Edition No. 1, 10 Year Old rum (a blend of light rum and aguardiente) was finished in French oak barrels for 3 months, and in the new Eminente Gran Reserva Edition No. 2, we see a reprisal of the 10 Year Old rum, made with 80% aguardiente (and 20% light Cuban rum) that is then finished for 4 months in Sauternes barrels.

Yet, there might be more than meets the eye, as after all French luxury group LVMH only owns but one French Sauternes winery, that is none other than the legendary Chateau d'Yquem. The golden nectar-like sweet Sauternes wine is made from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle grapes that spot noble rot, which in turn causes the grape to lose water and concentrate its flavours, in turn producing luscious wines that are incredibly perfumed with vibrant tones of fruits and florals. Produced to the south-east of France's famed Bordeaux (perhaps the most classically appreciated wines) in the area known as Graves, Chateau d'Yquem is the only standalone estate to be designated as Superior First Growth (Premier Cru Superieur) in the landmark 1855 Bordeaux Wine Classification that ranked various notable estates of the time.

And thus considering that LVMH only owns one Sauternes winery, that is Chateau d'Yquem, as it does but one Cuban rum producer, Eminente, it stands to reason that the Sauternes barrels used to finish the Eminente Gran Reserva Edition No. 2 comes from the legendary French winery. Nevertheless to be clear, this is not officially stated.

Official Tasting Notes for Eminente Gran Reserva Edition No. 2

Aroma

Sophisticated and complex, the nose reveals aromas of dried fruits and honey, accompanied by notes of apricot. The bouquet then evolves towards tropical fruits such as mango and pineapple.

Taste

Round and smooth, the palate seduces with its aromas of candied fruit and apricot mixed with delicate spices. Its long, silky and elegant finish balances the sweetness brought by the passage in Sauternes barrels with the spicy character typical of aged Cuban rums.

The new Eminente Gran Reserva Edition No. 2 is bottled at 43.2% ABV.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team