La Casa del Rum

Meeting FRANCESCO RUFINI, independent selector and bottler, to talk about RUM was such an interesting and exciting experience that I had to write about it. His story, and his quest to excellence, made me fall in love with his job even before tasting the fantastic RUM blends he created. The story begins in 2006, in a bar on the beach in Tuscany. At the time, Francesco is a student of Telecommunications Engineering in Pisa and has always had a passion for spirits, still, with the eye of an engineer: he begins his training right on the field, selecting the finest RUMS, unknown to most, and devoid of all preservatives.

He uses his technical-scientific skills to analyze the composition, fermentation and the impact of the nature of the place of origin and the raw material. Soon, the bar becomes a reference point for connoisseurs, a place where you could choose from a variety of more than 150 RUM labels (resulting from his winter research of small local distilleries in the producing islands) paired with chocolate, also smoking an excellent cigar on the beach if you wished.

Following an increasing demand by private customers and professional restaurateurs, Francesco founds a company to market RUM, which he names LA CASA DEL RUM, and with it, he starts a new selection project, purchasing the rum directly from the distilleries.

On the islands of origin, the Rum is almost exclusively sold in bulk and without a label. Francesco becomes then an independent ethical bottler, without damaging the product with cuts or alterations (such as sugar additions or aromas), intending to preserve its value and history. Thanks to his experience and olfactory and gustatory skills, Francesco begins to conceive RUM blends, each with its own different origin and aging (the aging takes place totally on the island of production). From his research, Francesco develops 5 RUM projects, which he named 1,2,3,4,5. Rum 1 is now sold out, but Rum lovers can still enjoy all the remaining blends, each with its very strong identity.

PROJECT Nº2
BARBADOS OVER PROOF 65º
RUM blend obtained from the fermentation of sugar cane molasses and distillates both with the “pot still” and with the “patent still” technique. Aged up to 8 years in a tropical climate in American oak barrels at the Foursquare distillery in Barbados. Bottled without filtration and without any addition at 65% vol. to keep all the extraordinary aromatic nuances intact.

PROJECT Nº3
GUATEMALA, NICARAGUA
AND DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
A blend designed for those who are approaching the world of RUM for the very first time. The classic expression of the Spanish style, soft but authentic, not sweet. As soon as it is poured, it immediately releases notes of coffee, chocolate and liquorice. All pleasantly accompanied by a fresh orange note that makes the blend extraordinarily balanced. Despite being a young Rum, it evolves interestingly during the tasting. Alcohol content 50% Vol.

PROJECT Nº4
JAMAICA, BARBADOS
AND DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
This blend is created specifically to enhance the unicity of the Jamaica style. For this selection, three different RUMS from the best distilleries on the island were used. English style, edgy, balsamic and herbaceous with those typical hints of Jamaica. As soon as it is poured into the glass, the mix of exotic scents is surprising. During tasting, it is harmonic, fresh, drinkable, and very well balanced. Alcohol content 40% Vol.

PROJECT Nº5
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, PANAMA
AND BARBADOS
This Rum is designed for those who seek smoothness, an intense and persistent taste, absolutely with no added sugars. Dominican classic style, but with the unique body and structure of Barbados Rum. Immediately the scent is enveloping and suggests that the tasting will not be trivial. The wood notes are well balanced, accompanied by sensations of ripe red fruit, chocolate and vanilla. There is also a slight vegetal and herbaceous note that makes everything even more enjoyable. Alcohol content 45% Vol.