From ArteNOM to Panama-Pacific

As many of you may know, Jake Lustig of ArteNOM tequila fame is one of my best friends in the industry. He's been telling me for years about an extension of the line he was working on, a rum project, that would create a similar independent label for South American spirits. I was very excited to learn last week that the rums had landed in San Francisco and were ready to be shipped. If you'll remember Jake's philosophy concerning tequila and mezcal, he's a big fan of clean, pure-tasting spirits, so don't expect to taste a big sweet version of Ron Zacapa here. These rums are dry and robust, mellow and sippable, but easy to like and very reasonably priced. From Panama's famed growing region of La Provincia de Herrera, these rums are distilled from estate-grown sugar cane molasses, then barrel-aged in 220 liter ex-Bourbon casks. Imported directly to CA by Haas Brothers in San Francisco, it's an incredible new step into another exciting genre for Jake.

Panama Pacific 9 Year Old Rum $27.99 - Aged for nine years and imported directly to CA by Haas Brothers in San Francisco, it's an incredible new step into another exciting genre for Jake. Fans of Zafra and El Dorado 8 year will be extremely pleased by the rich and woody profile, but dry and clean-tasting finish. This isn't a caramel laden dessert rum in any way. It's an old-school cigar smoker's delight.

Panama Pacific 23 Year Old Rum $54.99 - The 23 year is a smooth and silky revelation that relies on the quality of the distillate rather than the introduction of caramel or sweeteners. It finishes robust and dry on the palate with a savory note and hints of pepper and spice. True 23 year old rum for a ridiculous price that can stand on its own merit. Everyone should own a bottle of this. 

-David Driscoll