Santa Rosa 10 ans is a rum from Panama, distilled by Varela Hermanos at Pesé in the province of Herrera. This is the country's leading distillery, which uses a multi-column system to produce pure, light rums.
The rum is aged for 10 years on site in bourbon casks, before being shipped to France, and more specifically to Gascony. There, it is finished for several months in small (100-liter) Armagnac casks from Maison Gélas.
Nico's tasting notes
The nose is soft and sweet, cushioned by mellow notes of nougat. Vanilla and coconut flow slowly over softly caramelized oak. Full-bodied white nuts continue the velvety sensation.
With a little air, the rum becomes more powdery, like a marshmallow with powdered sugar. The fruit is just as sweet and soft, like a strawberry marshmallow. A small flame is then passed over these confections, which then begin to caramelize.
On the palate, the rum is initially a little fruity. The fruit is soft and velvety, with the substance of ripe mango and the aromas of red fruit syrup. The aromas of toasted oak take over smoothly, comfortably coated.
The finish shows a hint of pepper and slightly simmering spices.
"This rum is so gourmand that it seems to have rolled in powdered sugar..."
Phil Gringo
A good rum with a slightly fruity flavor due to the Armagnac finish, but a little too tannic for my taste, which makes it a little bitter. I prefer Malécon 10 and 12 ans neat or in cocktails.