Tonight, it’s Havana Club 7 Años, a rum that speaks in whispers of history, of long-forgotten conversations in the backrooms of Havana, of cigars and boleros, of time itself distilled into liquid gold. This isn’t just any rum–it’s Cuba in a glass, aged patiently, carrying the weight of tradition with every drop.
A Night on the Terrace
I’m sitting on a worn leather chair on the terrace of an old colonial-style house, the warm Caribbean breeze carrying the distant sound of a son cubano melody from the streets below. In one hand, my glass of rum; in the other, a well-aged Montecristo No. 2, its earthy, peppery draw complementing the deep molasses and oak of the Havana Club.
The First Pour
The first pour is slow, deliberate. It’s color catches the light to reveal a lovely deep mahogany. It emits an aroma consisting of molasses, aged oak, and light leather. This scent reminds me of the Partagas cigar lounge in Havana. The first sip unveils layers of dark cacao, dried fruits, and smoke, all of these elements collide the edges of one’s memories.
There’s no rush here. This rum was made to be savored.
A Drink Meant for Stories
This bottle won’t last long–not because it’s fleeting, but because it’s too inviting. One sip leads to another, and soon the night stretches ahead, filled with stories, music, and the unmistakable warmth of good company. This is what Havana Club 7 Años was made for–not just drinking, but experiencing, lingering, remembering.
If you ever get your hands on a bottle, don’t hesitate. This isn’t just rum. It’s a passport to another time, another place, a reminder that the best things in life–like a well-aged spirit–are worth the wait.
The Montecristo No. 2 Ritual
As I settled into my favorite leather armchair, the soft glow of twilight filtering through the shutters, I reached for a cherished companion: the Montecristo No. 2. Its impeccable construction and subtle pre-light aroma of almonds hinted at the experience to come. With a deliberate cut and a slow, thoughtful draw, notes of chocolate and mixed spices greeted my palate, underscored by an earthy foundation.
Beside me rested a glass of Havana Club 7 Años, its rich amber hue catching the dim light. The scent of the rum hinted at toffee, coffee, and honeycomb, blending with dried fruit and a hint of spices.
A Symphony of Flavors
As soon as I lit the Montecristo cigar, I could taste roasted nut, sweet coffee, cedar, cocoa powder, and leather. The complexity of flavors was something that intrigued me. The sip of rum was my next step. It coaxed me into a world of flavors that reminded me of withered cigar boxes, banana leaves, sweet toffee, and guava. All together they wrapped me in a warm embrace.
The combination was balanced. The creaminess and nuttiness of the cigar blended perfectly with the sweetness and mild spiciness of the rum. As the chocolate and cedar notes started to emerge in the later stages of the cigar, the hints of tropical fruits and spices in Havana Club 7 did just the same.
A Glimpse of Cuba
The essence of Cuba was alive for me there, miles away from those cobblestone streets, captured in the sinuous motion of the smoke curling upwards and the embrace of aged rum. In the solitude of my room, I was light years away from those cobbled streets.
