Bacardi celebrates 150 years with limited edition rum and decanter

Source：Bacardi Limited Release Date：2012-03-16 374

Food & Beverage

Techniques have been handed down through 15 generations of Bacardi master blenders to create the rare $2,000 rum

HAMILTON, Bermuda -- To commemorate the rum-making standards achieved 150 years ago family-owned Bacardi Limited announces a first -- the rarest rum ever released, as a celebration of the expertise and craftsmanship in every bottle of Bacardi rum.

Eight Maestros de Ron Bacardi (master blenders), and each a family member, have combined their extraordinary talents to create a very special and rare limited edition rum. A blend of the finest Bacardi rums laid to rest in oak barrels over the past 20 years and finished in 60-year-old Cognac barrels, this vintage blend – the Ron BACARDI, de Maestros de Ron, Vintage, MMXII -- is presented in a hand-blown crystal decanter.

The masterful art commemorated by the release of this exquisite vintage rum was perfected by Bacardi founder Don Facundo Bacardi Masso -- the original Maestro de Ron -- in Santiago de Cuba in 1862. "Don Facundo forever changed the spirits world by creating Bacardi Superior Rum,introducing steps and setting the standards in rum-making," said Manny Oliver, Global master blender. "This defined premium clear rum -- what the world now knows as rum."

"He used these same techniques in creating his dark rums, as well. These steps have been handed down through 15 generations of hand-selected Bacardi master blenders and used today to create the BACARDI portfolio of fine rums," said Joe Gomez, Puerto Rico master blender.

Before 1862, the rum of the time was crude, harsh and unpalatable to the emerging Cuban middle-class who were used to drinking fine wines and Cognacs. Don Facundo set out to create a spirit more refined and comparable to the finest Cognacs of the time.

Facundo L. Bacardi, chairman of Bacardi Limited, said his family honors the 150-year legacy of his great-great grandfather every day by continuing to create and blend rums in the same artful and masterful way he did in 1862. "Bacardi rum is not only the world's favorite and best-selling rum; it is also the world's most awarded rum, winning more than 400 awards for taste, quality and innovation," fifth generation Mr Bacardi said.

Rum-making standards

After years of experimentation in the 1860s, Don Facundo pioneered and developed seven rum-making standards:<Air Max 95 20th Anniversary