Thursday, February 18, 2016

Don Q is Aiming to Elevate the It's Rum with Two New Launches

Don Q is gearing up to release two new rum expressions later this year, including a limited edition single barrel expression and a “sophisticated” spiced variant.

Don Q Signature Release Single Barrel
 This is the first single barrel rum from the brand.  Just 6,000 bottles of the Don Q Signature Release Single Barrel rum will be launched, with 3,000 4.5 liter cases dedicated to the US and Puerto Rico, and the remaining 1,000 destined for Europe.
Bottled at 40% abv, the rum has been aged for just over 10 years and is described as offering “a really wonderful woodiness, with tanins and sweeter notes” as well.
The launch is part of a planned series of releases beginning with the 2005 vintage, which will be followed by the 2007 single barrel variant next year.  “We love ageing and blending,” commented Roberto Serrallés, Don Q owner and master distiller. “This is the first single barrel expression we’ve released.   “We wanted to start playing around and having fun outside of our comfort zone.   “The single barrel is a beautiful light style rum.”
Don Q Barrel Aged Spice
Furthermore, the firm is also planning to bring out a spiced rum expression mid-2016, aimed as “elevating” the spiced rum category.
Titled Don Q Barrel Aged Spice, the expression has been designed to offer a “next step” to fans of spiced rum and will be a permanent addition to the brand’s portfolio.   The rum has been infused with “natural” spiced, including cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and tamarind.
“The spiced rum segment is growing and it’s an interesting category,” said Serrallés. “Everyone knows the big players in spiced rum, they know Captain Morgan.   “But where do spiced rum drinkers graduate to? Our rum will offer a more sophisticated version of a spiced rum – we want to elevate the category.  “We need to get away from pirates and sea monsters – we’ve talked too much about pirates and forgotten the fantastic properties of the rum itself.   “It has such an amazing taste profile that we think consumers who are interested in spiced rum are going to love.”