Ron Matusalem unveils Lefebre

Cuban rum Ron Matusalem has kicked off its Tributes Collection, which pays homage to the brand's founding family, with the release of Lefebre.

As the first product in the brand’s Tributes Collection, Lefebre is inspired by Claudio Álvarez Lefebre, the great-grandfather of the founding family's fifth generation. Each rum in the series will be based on a key figure from the Matusalem family. Claudio Álvarez Renaud, the current representative of the fifth generation, explained: "Lefebre is a tribute to my great-grandfather, Claudio Álvarez Lefebre, who spearheaded the company during Cuba's legendary Golden Age. “This limited edition honours our traditions, using French oak to capture the subtle notes of a Mediterranean forest. Lefebre is elegant, smooth and superlative: a truly one-of-a-kind rum that celebrates the French charm of our origins." Developed by Matusalem master blender Cynthia Vargas, the rum has been aged in ex-Bordeaux barrels using the Solera system. The brand noted that this method gives the expression a 'deep amber' colour with gold and copper hues. The flavour profile then evokes aromas of spiced wood, chocolate bitters and sweet peppers, all ending with a long finish that 'lingers' in the mouth. The high-end rum is presented in a numbered bottle, which features an arch that nods to the brand’s roots and is also a typical design point of Cuban colonial architecture. The bottle’s neck is adorned with a leather collar and a golden button, which intends to blend the style of art deco with French navy blue. It also comes with a certificate of authentication and is packaged in a luxurious case. Just 2,000 bottles of Lefebre are available worldwide with 250 set aside for Spain. It retails for €299 (US$324). Over the summer, Ron Matusalem also debuted its first cocktail competition, called The Golden Master. The contest was created to provide a platform for mixology talent. At the finale in Barcelona, Eduardo Sánchez, of Japanese restaurant Kiki in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, was crowned the inaugural winner.