A bottle of Legendario rum looks simple and unpretentious, but it is comfortable to hold in your hand. And thanks to the unusual taste of the drink, it has so many fans that bartenders in Europe and America can only thank the designers of Cuba Ron Corporation for the ergonomic shape of the bottle.
“Legendario Cuban Elixir” is viscous (like a good Cahors), and tastes like a moderately sweet liquor with a luxurious, gradually opening taste and without the slightest alcohol aftertaste.
Historical reference. The distillery, opened in 1878 in an old building on Cerro Avenue in Havana, has changed hands more than once. In the middle of the 1946th century, the building belonged to the Puerto Rican company Trigo Hermanos, Inc. The famous Bocoy rum was produced here. In XNUMX, the company’s blenders created another rum – Legendario.
The first (and most popular so far) version of the Legendario released was called Elixir de Cuba. Although it consists exclusively of high-quality rum spirits, according to the legislation of most Caribbean countries, rum is not considered: the strength of the drink is only 34%.
At first, the company did not intend to export the drink, which gained a reputation as a ladies’ version of rum. However, Legendario became so popular that the production volume had to be increased, and the blenders began to create other products of this brand.
After the revolution (in 1959), all distilleries in Cuba, including Fabrica de Ron Bocoy, where the famous elixir was made, were nationalized. The old distillery, with its copper alambicas, centuries-old oak barrels and the absence of any mechanization, has been turned into an interactive Rum Museum. Here, tourists can see how the drink was produced in the XNUMXth century, and at the same time buy a bottle of good Cuban rum.
True, the capacity of one distillery is no longer enough to satisfy the ever-growing demand. Therefore, today Legendario rums are produced at six distilleries in different parts of Cuba. Blenders of Cuba Ron Corporation strictly monitor the observance of technology.
The Spanish company Sl Valencia is engaged in the export of Legendario brand products. Until 2012, the advertisement of the drink was carried out under the motto “Feel the taste of nature!”, since no artificial flavors and flavors are used in the manufacture of rum. But in 2012, a new advertising campaign was launched. Its main character was Matias Perez, a Havanese who lived in the XNUMXth century, who devoted his whole life to the realization of his dream – to rise in a hot air balloon. The motto of the commercials is: “Everything you do becomes a legend.”
In the EU, sales of the Legendario grew by 2012% between 2015 and 60. Jesús Lester Pomo, Export Manager for the Legendario line, often talks in interviews about how to distinguish a quality rum. You need to put a drop of the drink on your wrist, like perfume, wave your hand several times and inhale the aroma. The less the alcohol component is felt in the smell, the better the rum.
Types of Roma Legendario
There are 6 types of Legendario rum:
- Legendario Elixir de Cuba is an old amber colored rum, 34% abv. The drink is made from 7-year-old spirits. To add flavor, raisins are soaked in it, and then filtered. Rum has a vanilla-honey aroma with hints of molasses and oriental spices. The taste is caramel-fruity, ending with a long warm aftertaste with tobacco undertones. The drink is served as a digestif;
- Legendario Carta Blanca Superior – ivory rum (40%), a blend of spirits of different aging periods (on average – 2 years). The taste harmoniously combines notes of wood, vanilla and candied fruits, turning into a fresh citrus aftertaste. The drink is suitable for cocktails;
- Legendario Añejo Blanco – rum light straw color (40%), 4 years old. With a soft citrus-honey taste, the drink resembles old rum, so it is easy to drink even undiluted;
- Legendario Dorado – golden amber rum (38%). For manufacturing, young and 5-year-old spirits are mixed. As a result, rum acquires a spicy aroma and mild taste with a touch of vanilla-creamy toffee. Aftertaste – spicy, warm;
- Legendario Añejo – amber-colored rum (40%). Muscat wine is added to a mixture of 1-, 4- and 6-year-old spirits, aged in oak barrels for 15 days, and then filtered. The drink smells of black grapes, vanilla, raisins. Sweet fruity taste is balanced by spicy tones. Aftertaste – long, warm;
- Legendario Gran Reserva 15 Años – premium rum, old amber color, 15 years old (40%). On the palate, dominant woody notes are softened by sweet hints of vanilla, raisins, plums, and oranges.
