El Supremo 5-Year-Old gets set for summer
Paraguayan rum brand El Supremo is preparing to unveil its latest expression, El Supremo 5-Year-Old.
Aged in Incienso Marrón barrels, and finished in French oak casks, the rum is made from pure sugarcane juice, using a 500-year-old method.
Featuring no added colour, sugar or additives, the new rum is said to capture the South American nation’s essence in a single sip.
Its tasting profile brings soft and grassy aromas on the nose where vanilla, walnut, fruit and flowers evolve into honey and antique leather, culminating in a hint of chocolate. The palate then begins with vegetal notes before toffee and spice take over with a linger of black pepper.
For the finish, vanilla adds sweetness while black pepper adds a warming touch.
When the rum makes its debut, it is expected to prove popular with bartenders, thanks to its compatibility in some of the season’s best-selling cocktails, such as a Daiquiri, a Chupito, or a Highball.
Dario Knox founder of Singapore bar The Backdrop, said: “The new El Supremo five-year-old bottle is a showstopper. Seriously premium, and the price point? Insane. Every bar needs this gem to elevate their cocktail game or to kick off some summer Chupitos.”
And while it promises new dimensions for cocktails, the spirit is recommended for sipping solo too. El Supremo is first presenting the five-year-old rum at Vinexpo Paris, taking place between 12-14 February, and it will be available for consumer purchase in early summer for an RRP of €30-€35 (US$33-US$38).
Premium rum has really taken off in the past few years – to the point where it surpassed £1 billion (US$1.2bn) a year in sales in the UK (Nielsen IQ 2022) – and the sector is primed to make another major splash on the bar scene this summer.
El Supremo founder Filippo Maria Olivi di Briana said: “The new El Supremo 5-Year-Old Rum is like sunshine in a bottle that represents the very essence of sun-soaked summer.
“Meticulously crafted, it is the ultimate sidekick for those laidback moments and refreshing cocktails. It’s not just a spirit; it’s a perfect summer celebration of the season.”
The core El Supremo range also includes eight-year-old and 12-year-old rums. An 18-year-old expression is due to launch this spring, and a travel retail-exclusive 25-year-old bottling is also planned for summer 2024.
