Ron Matusalem Rum Gran Reserva 15 Year rum is a deep, gold color. Sitting perfectly still in the glass it is reminiscent of honey. Giving the glass a swirl reveals legs that are thick, heavy, and slow moving.Founded in 1872, the Matusalem company has been made by the same family for generations. The company originally took root in Santiago de Cuba, where it eventually became one of the most successful Cuban rum producers. Of course, in 1959, Castro’s little revolution upset the apple cart, and Matusalem was forced to leave Cuba for the Dominican Republic. The company currently produces its rum in the city of San Diego in the Dominican Republic.Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva is a molasses-based rum produced using a formula crafted by Doctor Claudio Alvarez Salazar and other master blenders – all of whom are descended from the original founders of the company. The rum is aged using the solera process for aging spirits, in which barrels containing older spirits are “topped off” and married with younger spirit from other barrels as the angel’s share takes its toll. By the time the rum is bottled, Gran Reserva 15 is a blend of rums which have been aged for an average of 15 years.
