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🇻🇪 Venezuela /Culture & Society

Santa Teresa 1796 named one of the world's best rums for second year

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Santa Teresa 1796 rum has been recognized by Forbes as one of the top 11 rums globally for the second consecutive year.
  • The Venezuelan rum, produced in the Aragua Valleys, has won over 100 gold medals in international competitions.
  • Crafted using a solera method with rums aged between 4 and 35 years, it is noted for its artisanal quality and historical connection to Simón Bolívar.

In the Aragua Valleys of Venezuela, a rum aged in oak barrels is making global waves. Santa Teresa 1796 has secured a spot on Forbes' list of the world's 11 best rums for the second year running, a testament to its exceptional quality.

The Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) is not a generous competition.

Describing the rigorous standards of the BTI.

The Beverage Testing Institute (BTI), founded in Chicago in 1981, employs a rigorous blind tasting methodology developed with Cornell University. Its expert panelists evaluate spirits in a specialized sensory lab, ensuring objective assessments. A gold medal from BTI, signifying 90-95 points, denotes an "exceptional" rating.

Santa Teresa 1796, named after the hacienda founded in 1796 by Count Martín Tovar Ponte, has amassed an impressive 112 gold medals. This makes it the most awarded super-premium rum globally. The hacienda itself holds historical significance, having been visited by Simón Bolívar, who reiterated his proclamation against slavery there in 1818.

A gold medal from BTI, on the scale of 90 to 95 points, is equivalent to an "exceptional" rating.

Explaining the significance of the BTI's awards.

Currently managed by the fifth generation of the Vollmer family, the hacienda produces the Santa Teresa 1796 using the solera method. This traditional Spanish technique, typically used for sherry and brandy, involves aging rum in stacked oak barrels. Younger rum gradually blends with older reserves, creating a "living liquid" that evolves over time. The company claims each bottle contains traces of the very first rum distilled in 1796 and is hand-sealed with wax, ensuring each bottle is unique.

It is the most awarded super-premium rum in the world: more than 100 golden awards accumulated in the most demanding competitions on the planet.

Highlighting the extensive accolades for Santa Teresa 1796.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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