Centenario Fundacion 20 Reserva Especial

It glistens like fine gemstones at sunset and drinks as smooth as satin.

Centenario International started as a Costa Rican Rum distiller more than 40 years ago. This Central American powerhouse has been making quality since day one and that has fueled huge growth. Today — as a division of the mega-corp Pernod Ricard — they produce a ton of jungle juice (Rum) under the Centenario brand along with Absolute Nikolai Vodkas, Chivas Regal Whisky, Martel Cognac, Gran patron Tequila Burnett’s Gin, Hpnotiq Liqueur, and a bunch of other things. Basically, they are one of the most prolific divisions and stock a good portion of the worlds liquor shelves worldwide. But it all started with premium Rum.

We’ve said it before and we will say it again… when premium Rum is aged in the tropics for a LONG time, it turns red. Well, not “red” as in “garish Vegas neon red.” More like, “garnet gemstones have been somehow magically dissolved into the Spirit at sunset” kind of red. Centenario Fundacion 20 YO Reserva Especial is just that kind of red. Perfecto.

And something else about really old Rum… it gets oh-so-smooth. The transformation of Rum is far more dramatic than most other Spirits. Fresh “white” Rum is un-aged and can drink like diluted Riccola throat lozenges. But by the time the best Rums get to 20 long years resting in oak at the high humidities of the tropics, what comes out of the cask is altogether different. Seriously… give this one a try.