Ron Matusalem ages rum in junmai sake casks
Family-owned Ron Matusalem has unveiled a rum finished in Japanese junmai sake casks as the second expression in its Sublime Collection.
Ron Matusalem Sublime Kiku is described as the brand’s ‘most exclusive and sophisticated’ expression to date – limited to 600 bottles worldwide.
Sublime Kiku is the second release in the Sublime Collection: A Journey Through Traditions.
The first chapter, Sublime Limited Edition, was released in 2022 to honour the distillery’s 150th anniversary. The rum was aged in American oak and Sherry casks, and limited to 450 bottles.
The second edition was initially matured in a mix of American oak ex-Bourbon barrels aged in a 20-year-old Solera system, and Spanish ex-Sherry casks, which were aged for 10 years. After this, the rum spent two years in France, maturing in ex-Premier Grand Cru Bordeaux wine casks.
For the final stage, the expression was aged in ex-junmai sake casks from an undisclosed Japanese producer.
Inspired by kiku, the imperial flower of Japan, and a symbol of nobility and longevity, the rum is said to pay tribute to the country’s artisanal heritage.
Bottled at 40% ABV, Sublime Kiku is offered in handcrafted crystal decanters individually numbered by Portuguese crystal house Vista Alegre.
Each decanter comes with a certificate of authenticity and exclusive artwork by Japanese artist Mari Ito, and has an RRP of US$3,000.
Sublime Kiku was unveiled at a private event on 23 June at Sefino restaurant, located in the JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo. The event was hosted by Ron Matusalem global CEO Yoze Torres, master blender Cynthia Vargas and global marketing director Lara Pac.
Guests included representatives from the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Japan, the Japan Rum Association, and a select group of journalists.
Earlier this year, Ron Matusalem released Enigma French Oak, a 23-year-old rum aged in ex-Bordeaux barrels.
Last year, The Spirits Business interviewed Claudio Renaud Álvarez, president of Ron Matusalem and fifth-generation family member, to gain insight into the brand’s longevity.
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