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SelvaRey Chocolate Rum
About SelvaRey Chocolate Rum
SelvaRey Chocolate Rum is produced by SelvaRey – a U.S.-based, celebrity-owned rum brand that partners with distillers in Panama. With the help of master rum distiller “Don Pancho” Francisco Fernandez, SelvaRey releases single estate rums that aim to elevate the perception of rum in the U.S. market.
Each of SelvaRey’s rums are produced from start to finish at the same distillery. The brand goes so far as to brag about the labor conditions of the sugarcane harvesters, who work 4-hour shifts to avoid the midday heat, receive clean water and food, and get paid at least minimum wage for their efforts. The pesticide-free sugarcane is then turned into molasses on site.
Each SelvaRey rum is fermented using Don Pancho’s signature pineapple yeast strain, and then distilled in copper column stills before aging. The base rum for this particular bottle of SelvaRey Chocolate is aged for 5 years in ex-bourbon barrels, before being infused with natural chocolate for flavoring.
Bottle Specs
❖ ABV: 35%
❖ Distillery: Las Cabras Distillery
❖ Aging: 5 years
❖ Price Point: Lower Moderate Price
Tasting Notes
❖ Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans
❖ Toffee
❖ Cardamom
My Tasting notes
The aroma of this chocolate rum had prominent banana notes which were sweet and pleasant. This was followed by the vague scent of chocolate in the background.
As I took a sip, the flavor had a slight bite at first, but this quickly dissipated into a sweet and mellow flavor. By the second sip, I was able to pick out delicious notes of chocolate and coffee. As I continued, it became a soft, complex dance that also included spices, toffee, and banana.
Overall, this rum is pretty smooth, with a slight heat in the tongue.
Cocktail
Sweet Jungle Heat
1
drinkIngredients
2 oz chocolate flavored rum
1/2 oz allspice dram
1/2 oz simple syrup
1 oz coconut milk
Directions
Add the ingredients to a shaker with ice, and shake until chilled.
Strain the mixture into a small cocktail glass.
Inside of a cocktail, I found this chocolate rum to be quite impressive. The chocolate flavor tastes very natural, and it was easy to balance against the other mixers. I ended up being really happy with my original recipe, and I think it will be a favorite in our household all summer long – or at least as long as the SelvaRey holds out!
Bottom Line
Overall, I think SelvaRey Chocolate Rum is an excellent choice, especially for any chocolate-lover looking to elevate their cocktails.
At first glance, this bottle may not seem like very much. After all, it’s a celebrity rum (partially owned by Bruno Mars) and a flavored spirit – both of which can lead to certain assumptions in the liquor aisle. However, this rum is clearly produced and blended with care, and you can really taste that with each sip. It’s also naturally flavored, which is a huge plus.
The brand works with master distiller Fransicso “Don Pancho” Fernandez, who is quite the legendary figure in the world of Cuban-style rum. The quality difference is apparent, and I can truly see myself sipping this rum in addition to creating cocktails. I highly recommend SelvaRey Chocolate Rum, and I look forward to trying out other SelvaRey bottles in the future.
As always, drink responsibly.
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