40% ABV
Rum
Costa Rica
The Spirit of Costa Rica
Costa Rica may be small, but its ambitions are anything but modest. This Central American nation, nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, has managed to punch well above its weight on many levels of the global stage. With just over five million inhabitants, the country is home to an astounding 5% of the world’s biodiversity, a testament to its unique microclimates and commitment to conservation. More than a quarter of Costa Rica’s total land area is protected as natural reserves, making it a leader in environmental stewardship that many larger nations aspire to emulate.
But Costa Rica’s progressive spirit extends beyond environmental protection. In 1948, the government made the bold decision to abolish its military, redirecting those funds toward education and healthcare. The result is a stable democracy that has avoided the social unrest and civil wars that have plagued many of its neighbors. Nearly 100% of the country’s energy comes from renewable sources, and Costa Ricans, who call themselves “Ticos,” have adopted the national motto “Pura Vida” – pure life – which captures their laid-back philosophy of appreciating the simple pleasures, always having a positive outlook, and being closer to nature.
A Steady Hand
Under the guidance of Doña Susana Masis, a chemical engineer with over 27 years of experience in the spirits industry, Ron Centenario has evolved from a single expression in 1985 into a world-class portfolio that showcases the best of Costa Rican rum-making tradition. Masis, who serves as both master blender and quality control assurance manager, brings a unique combination of scientific precision and artistic intuition to her craft. Her passion extends beyond the blending room to encompass everything from raw material sourcing to international portfolio development, making her one of the most influential figures in Central American rum production.
Masis has a talent for understanding consumer needs across different international markets, a skill that has allowed Ron Centenario to expand from a domestic brand to one available in over 33 countries.
The Solera Advantage
The Ron Centenario 30 Aniversario represents the pinnacle of the distillery’s solera system mastery. This traditional Spanish method, adapted from sherry production, involves a complex fractional blending process that would give any bookkeeper nightmares but results in rums of exceptional complexity and consistency. In the solera system, barrels are stacked with the oldest rum at the bottom, followed by progressively younger spirits in the tiers above.
When rum is drawn from the bottom barrels for bottling, it’s replaced with rum from the second-oldest tier, which is then replenished from the third-oldest, and so on. This creates a continuous blending where even the “youngest” rum in the final product has been influenced by much older spirits. For the 30 Aniversario, this means a blend that incorporates rums ranging from 8 to 30 years old.
The process requires meticulous record-keeping and an intimate understanding of how different aged rums will interact with each other. Each barrel contributes its own character – some might offer bright fruit notes, others deep caramel and vanilla, still others the complex tannins that only decades in oak can provide. Masis must orchestrate this symphony of flavors, ensuring that each release maintains the signature profile that Ron Centenario lovers expect.
This 30-year expression earned international recognition with a gold medal at the 2011 International Spirit Awards.
Aged by Nature
Costa Rica’s geography creates natural aging conditions that are unavailable elsewhere. The country’s position between two oceans, combined with its volcanic terrain and varied elevations, creates microclimates that influence how spirits mature in barrel. The consistent tropical temperatures accelerate the aging process compared to temperate climates, while the humidity levels help prevent excessive evaporation that can concentrate spirits too quickly.
The volcanic soil that feeds Costa Rica’s sugar cane also contributes to the terroir. The cane grown in these fertile, mineral-rich soils provides a foundation of flavor that carries through fermentation, distillation, and into the aging process.
Pairing by: Erik Calviño
Tasting Notes: Ron Centenario 30 Aniversario
Featuring a sherry-like nose loaded with dried fruit, oak, vanilla, and butterscotch, this rich, sweet rum has a round and full mouthfeel. There’s a touch of heat and wood to balance the caramel and chocolate sweetness. At 40%, Centenario 30 is at its best when tasted neat or with a single rock of pure, clean ice.
Cigar Pairing: Tatuaje Black
The Tatuaje Black is a powerful and intense blend with a core of cocoa powder, hazelnut, earth, and pepper with an aroma of tanned leather that fills the room. The rum introduces a level of sweet creaminess to the smoke that takes the experience to another level.
