Papa’s Pilar, the award-winning, premium sipping rum inspired by Ernest Hemingway, will release 2,000 cases of Platinum Blonde rum in select markets beginning August 2018. As the first special release crafted from the brand’s award-winning flagship Blonde Rum, the team of Master Blenders drew inspiration from Cuban-style rum, which is known for being light to medium-bodied, smooth and soft.

While the team chose to use the same five premium aged rums as in the Flagship Blonde expression, which is sourced from five different locations throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and the U.S., they varied the quantity of the rums (aged from 2-7 years) to produce a specific taste profile the Master Blender was looking to achieve. The five rums are column distilled and solera blended in Bourbon barrels and Spanish Sherry casks. Rich notes from once-used bourbon barrels give the expression great depth. Other factors, including the cooperage, temperature, and different percentages of rums, also impact everything from the nose, color, flavor, and finish. Over-proofed at 92 (vs. the Flagship at 84-proof), Platinum drinks smoothly, is incredibly mixable, and perfect for cocktails. - Chilled Magazine