Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/518118
june 2015 / the tasting panel / 87 Guardians Of The Secret The first of three in a series of new products from Bacardi, Maestro Gran Reserva de Ron—named after the Master Blenders who safeguard the secrets of the brand's rum- making process—is a white rum and a blend of two different distillates, each aged sepa- rately for one year and subsequently blended together. The blend is then placed in white oak barrels for three months prior to bottling. Like some of the other rums presented, the Maestro is considered to be more of a sipping rum, though it can be made into cocktails if so desired. The cocktail presented to our panel- ists today using the Maestro Gran Reserva is a variation of a Cuban classic. Tasting Notes: "A really tasty white rum with great mouthfeel, nice acidity and a smooth fin- ish—very soft and earthy. The cocktail, which would be great for the summer or beach, had nice citrus and mint notes; an excellent twist on one of my favorites."—Chad George "Talk about tropical fruit! Bananas, dates, figs, nuts, lime and papaya—delicious! Maestro is very clean and light with a linger- ing flavor profile, and the cocktail mirrored those qualities perfectly."—Dylan Regan Rachel Burkons, VP Managing and Marketing Editor, THE TASTING PANEL Magazine; Dan Lang, Portfolio Manager in L.A. for Bacardi; and Bryan Dayton of Acorn/Oak. Return to Havana ◗ 1½ oz. Maestro Gran Reserva de Ron ◗ ½ oz. Maraschino ◗ ¾ oz. grapefruit juice ◗ ½ oz. lime juice ◗ 1 oz. tonic ◗ Shake, serve over the rocks.