Pernod Ricard-owned Havana Club has debuted a new expression in the Canadian market – a smoky rum matured in Islay whisky barrels.
Havana Club Cuban Smoky is a dark rum that has been part-aged in Scotch whisky barrels from Islay.
On the nose, the rum offers touches of dried fruit and a light smokiness; the palate brings notes of smoke, cocoa, dark chocolate and a dry spiciness, followed by a half-dry finish.
The 37.5% ABV bottling is available exclusively in Canada and Cuba. It was released in Ontario and British Columbia this month and will be available in Quebec in June, retailing for CA$42.45 (US$35.14).
Havana Club, which is represented by Pernod Ricard affiliate Corby Spirit and Wine in Canada, claims that the bottling is a first in the country’s rum scene.
Aurelie Goffinet, brand manager, said: “We have a new kid on the block and it is bringing the smoke. Cuban Smoky is the first of its kind in the Canadian market, the intense brother of Havana Club 7, and it is shaking up the rum shelves in the liquor store.”
In 2018, Pernod Ricard released a smoky rum as part of the limited edition Havana Club Tributo Collection.
The brand launched its first spiced expression in March, and in May, it revealed a new marketing campaign in collaboration with rapper Ms Banks.
