Eight Years of Genuine Ageing for a Spanish-Style Rum
Malabusca Spanish Style is a premium rum bottled at 40% ABV that interprets the so-called Spanish style through a blend of cane spirits from Guatemala, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. Its defining feature is its maturation: 8 full years in ex-bourbon American oak casks, without the use of a solera system.
It is a rum designed for those who prefer refined, balanced profiles, with smoothly integrated alcohol and enough complexity to be enjoyed neat. Within the Malabusca range, it represents the more elegant and lighter expression, in contrast to the more structured character of its British Style counterpart.
What Does Spanish Style Mean in This Rum?
The term Spanish Style does not refer to the geographical origin of the rum, but rather to a traditional approach to rum production historically associated with the Spanish Caribbean. In this expression, the key technical feature is column distillation.
This method produces clean, refined spirits, a quality that defines the character of Malabusca Spanish Style. The aim is not to create a heavy rum, but rather one that is balanced, easy to drink and free from aggressive alcoholic heat.
The blend is created using molasses and sugar cane juices sourced from Guatemala, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. This combination helps shape the final profile before maturation in oak adds further maturity and complexity.
8 Full Years in Ex-Bourbon American Oak
One of the most important aspects of this bottle is how its age is stated. Its eight years represent a genuine 8-year maturation in American oak casks that previously held bourbon.
This is not an age statement based on a solera system, where spirits of different ages may be blended together. This distinction is particularly useful when comparing aged rums, as it provides a clearer understanding of how long the spirit has actually spent in contact with the wood.
The ex-bourbon casks complement the clean character of the column-distilled spirit without making the rum excessively heavy. The result focuses on elegance, smoothness and persistence, while retaining an approachable style for those who enjoy well-integrated aged rums.
Gold Medal and Best Spirit from Spain in London
This expression won a Gold Medal at the London Spirits Competition 2025 and, at the same competition, was named Best Spirit from Spain. A particularly significant achievement for a rum created in Spain using carefully selected raw materials from several countries with established rum-making traditions.
How to Enjoy Malabusca Spanish Style
Given its maturation and profile, we recommend trying it first neat or over a large ice cube. Served this way, its evolution in the glass can be appreciated more clearly. If ice is added, it is best enjoyed slowly, allowing the gradual dilution to reveal subtle changes in the rum's character.
It also works well in simple mixed drinks. In this case, plenty of ice and a mixer that is not overly dominant are recommended. Its column distillation and 40% ABV make for a balanced serve, particularly when you want the rum to retain its presence without becoming overly intense.
Spanish Style or British Style: Which Should You Choose?
Malabusca presents its two rums as deliberately different interpretations. This Spanish Style is the ideal choice for those seeking finesse, smoothness and a lighter drinking experience, built around column distillation and eight years of maturation.
If you prefer greater body and a more intense personality, at Licorea you can also find Malabusca British Style, produced with a proportion of Pot Still distillation and conceived according to a different rum-making tradition. Rather than simply being two variations of the same rum, they represent two distinct approaches to how distillation shapes the final character of a premium rum.
