Santa Teresa 1796 (Speyside Whisky Cask Finish)

Santa Teresa 1796 Speyside Whisky Cask Finish takes the Venezuelan house's well regarded solera ron and gives it a Scottish whisky cask finish. The base is molasses spirit in the smooth Venezuelan DOC style, and the finish pushes it toward whisky territory, bottled at a firmer 46%.

The cask leaves a clear mark. The nose mixes wood, smoke, dried fruit and dark chocolate, the palate brings wood, light peat, tobacco and more dark chocolate, and the finish carries tobacco, peat and smoke over gentle sweetness. The Speyside influence trades some of the rum's softness for a smoky, chocolatey profile that drinks part way between ron and whisky. It reads drier and more savoury than a standard sweet Venezuelan, making it a natural pick for whisky drinkers curious about rum or fans of 1796 wanting a smokier turn. A well made crossover rather than a classic sweet sipper.