Sancti Spiritus Twin Barrels 16 Years, a collectible Cuban rum
Sancti Spiritus Twin Barrels 16 Years is a rum created for enthusiasts who value provenance, time and traceability above any form of artifice. It is a limited edition, distilled in Cuba in 1998 and bottled in 2015 after sixteen years of genuine cask maturation.
This is not a rum intended for mainstream consumption. Its concept follows a more collectible approach, where every stage of the process adds meaning and context to the final expression.
Distilled in Cuba, in one of its most traditional regions
This rum is distilled in Cuba, in the region of Sancti Spíritus, one of the areas with the strongest historical roots in the country’s rum-making tradition. Located in the centre of the island, Sancti Spíritus is one of Cuba’s oldest cities and has preserved careful, less standardised production methods for decades.
The name of the region comes from the Latin Spiritus Sanctus, meaning “Holy Spirit”, a reference that has become part of the cultural narrative surrounding these rums, regarded by many enthusiasts as some of the purest expressions of the Cuban style.
A long maturation that began in 1998
The distillate was produced in 1998, at a time when Cuban production still applied strict controls over base alcohol and ageing processes. From that moment, the rum began a long maturation period that lasted a full sixteen years.
Bottling took place in 2015, once the rum had reached a solid balance between structure, depth and aromatic expression. This is not a rum that has been corrected or adjusted after ageing. Its final profile is a direct result of time spent in cask.
Double ageing in American oak barrels
The Twin Barrels concept refers to the use of American oak casks during maturation. This type of wood contributes warm notes and a gradual evolution, particularly well suited to long ageing periods.
The constant interaction between the distillate and the wood allows the rum to gain complexity without losing its sense of origin. The oak supports, structures and rounds the spirit, but never masks its Cuban character.
No chill filtration and natural colour
This rum is bottled without chill filtration, preserving the natural oils and aromatic compounds developed during maturation. This approach is especially appreciated by collectors and experienced drinkers, as it maintains the rum’s texture and full expression.
The colour is completely natural. No caramel is added and no visual adjustments are made. The hue in the glass is the direct result of years resting in cask and genuine contact with the wood.
Bottled in the United Kingdom by Ian Macleod
After ageing, Sancti Spiritus Twin Barrels 16 Years is bottled in the United Kingdom by Ian Macleod, a company with extensive experience in selecting and bottling spirits of distinctive character.
The involvement of an independent bottler reinforces the focus on selection and respect for the original distillate, without alterations aimed at homogenising the profile.
Numbered casks and full bottle traceability
Each bottle displays the cask number and the total number of bottles drawn from that cask. This level of detail provides clear traceability and turns every bottle into an identifiable piece within the series.
For collectors, this information is far from decorative. It highlights the fact that each cask evolves differently and that every bottling represents a specific, unrepeatable expression.
Aromatic expression and palate development
On the nose, it shows a complex and well-defined profile, with notes of ripe fruit, vanilla and integrated exotic nuances. Sweet tones appear, balanced by drier and more mineral accents.
On the palate, it is enveloping and structured. The texture is silky, with flavours of fresh cane, ginger, toasted sugar and a slow development that lingers across the palate.
The finish is long, spicy and persistent, with a mineral freshness that extends the experience.
A rum designed to be enjoyed slowly
This rum is intended to be enjoyed neat, without ice or mixers. A suitable glass and an unhurried pace allow its evolution and complexity to be fully appreciated.
It is an ideal choice for calm tasting moments or as part of a collection focused on long-aged rums with clearly defined origins.
A distinctive piece of Cuban rum at Licorea
At Licorea, we believe Sancti Spiritus Twin Barrels 16 Years holds a special place within our selection of Cuban rums. Its combination of origin, long ageing, independent bottling and cask numbering makes it a rare and distinctive release.
For collectors and advanced enthusiasts, this rum offers a deeper interpretation of the Cuban style, built on respect for time, transparency of process and the individual character of each cask.
