Ron Matusalem unveils the Matusalem Lefebre, a limited-edition release aged in ex-Bordeaux French oak barrels that marks the first of its new Tributes Collection.
Connoisseurs of premium rum are most likely to be familiar with – and possibly even own a few bottles – of Ron Matusalem. If you’re a big fan, you may want to get your hands on one of their latest limited-edition drops, the Matusalem Lefebre. Aged in French oak barrels that once used to hold Bordeaux wine, just 2,000 of these prized bottles are available.
But for those who aren’t quite so acquainted with this Caribbean rum producer and wondering what’s the fuss about? Well, here’s a short primer.
Ron Matusalem has an incredible storied past. It was first founded in 1872 in Santiago, Cuba by Spanish immigrant brothers Benjamin and Eduardo Camp. But they were forced to flee Cuba during the Cuban Revolution of 1953, and relocated themselves and production of their rums to the Dominican Republic where it remains today.
Named for the biblical character Methuselah, Matusalem is best known for pioneering the use of the solera system in rum production. Tapping on their Spanish roots, the Camp brothers borrowed the process originally used for the blending of sherry to make their rum. Aging and blending rums of various ages in the tiered criaderas allowed them to consistently produce a smoother and more balanced rum compared to traditional single-age expressions, resulting in what many consider a more superior product.
Indeed, today the solera technique is widely used in the making of premium rum across the industry.
As is in the case with the Matusalem Lefebre. Created as a spirited paean to Claudio Álvarez Lefebre, the great-grandfather of the founding family’s fifth and current generation, this first release in its new Tributes Collection likewise uses that solera technique. But what differentiates this limited release from its other expressions are that while the barrels of the preceding criadera levels of its century-old solera system are likewise comprised of ex-Bourbon American oak barrels, Matusalem’s Master Blender Cynthia Vargas explains that here the final solera level is made up of ex-Bordeaux French oak barrels instead.
Think of it as a form of cask finishing.
The result, according to Matusalem, is “a singular rum in a deep amber colour, with gold and copper hues, and an unmatched flavour profile. Lefebre’s seductive aromas conjure spiced wood, chocolate, bitters and sweet peppers, culminating in a long finish that lingers in the mouth”.
Having tasted it I certainly get the rich and layered rancio notes that we normally associate with well aged spirits, but also a certain freshness from the younger rums in the solera blend. Vargas also confirmed that the ex-Bordeaux barrels were sourced from the Left Bank, which explains the peppery and chocolate notes – characteristic of Cabernet Sauvignon – found here.
Only 2,000 of this limited edition release has been produced, of which around 100 bottles have been allocated to the Singapore market. Each bottle of Matusalem Lefebre is numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity, and presented in a beautiful case that makes it a great gift for the coming festive season. It is available on EC Proof at a recommended retail price of S$388. Trade enquiries can be directed to Proof & Co.
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