For Q4 2026, Rum Club is heading to Tequila! But wait, before you send us a panicked message - there will be no Tequila on this Tequila trip. Instead, let us dig into the history of sugar cane in Jalisco with Pelacañas Rum...
Made at the scenic Hacienda El Carmen in Jalisco, Mexico, Pelacañas Rum is made from 100% fresh pressed sugarcane juice, estate grown in the shadow of Volcán de Tequila, in the Ahualulco Valley. The valley has a history of more than 300 years of sugarcane farming. At Hacienda El Carmen, several varietals are used, with the most common being La Milagrosa, La Morada, and La Colmex - each harvested by hand. Fermentation is done in traditional open pine vats for 2-3 days before moving on to distillation. The fermented cane juice is first distilled in a stainless steel pot still before passing to a copper alembic rectifier, coming out between 52-56% abv.
For this single barrel, which we were thrilled to pick out in collaboration with Smuggler's Cove, the rum then ages in French Oak ex-red wine casks for 14 months. On the nose, cinnamon and graham crackers steal the show, followed by vanilla and oak, with just a hint of almost oxidized sherry-like character. On the palate, tart cherry syrup, golden raisins, and raspberry jam all bring the juicy fruit to the party, while there remains a touch of fresh cane grassiness, although its richer and sweeter than typical Pelacañas. The finish has more dried fruits, along with a wonderful earthy ashiness that closes out the sip with a deliciously sinister slant. Bottled at 51.7% abv, this is wonderfully full while also being relatively low proof for a cask strength bottling, never burning or overwhelming with alcohol. We know we'll be drinking this by the fire as the days get shorter, although we may just have to add it to a cheeky Sangria in a tasty remembrance of summer. Cheers!
