Cuba /Nov 19, 2018
What comes to mind when you think of Cuba? Beautiful beaches and stunning countryside? Classic cars and crumbling architecture? Maybe it’s the Revolution, Che Guevara & Fidel Castro? Perhaps music and dancing in a steamy basement bar, with a fat cigar in one hand and glass of rum in the other?
It is said that by the mid-19th century Cuba accounted for around a third of the world’s sugar cane crop and, as the saying goes: If you’ve got limes, make lime juice / If you’ve got sugar cane, make rum. If you’ve got both, great, make mojitos!
Of course, there is more to rum than simply mojitos. Other, rum-based cocktails that are popular in Cuba include the Cuba Libre, Ron Collins, Daiquiri, El Presidente, Canchanchara, El Nacional, Pina Colada, Cubanito & Cuban Ginger.
When visiting the island, and deciding which brand of rum to go for, well, that’s much easier. Due to the high level of state control over the economy, Cuba is yet to experience the hipster, beardy world of artisan distillers and, instead, is dominated by the ubiquitous Havana Club, a joint venture between global spirits company Pernod Ricard, which sells and markets the product around the world, and local company Corporación Cuba Ron which makes the stuff.
The best-selling variety of Havana Club is Anejo 3 Anos (basically 3 year old), a clear / white rum that is used as the basis for cocktails such as mojitos.
Next up is Havana Club Especial, a smooth, doubled-aged golden rum that can be drunk on its own or as a mixer, most typically in Cuba Libres (rum and coke).
For those who don’t like to dilute their drinks, Anejo 7 Anos, is a dark rum that is meant to be sipped on its own or over ice, not unlike a decent Scotch.
These three versions of Havana Club can be found all over Cuba and, more pertinently, in pretty much every bar and hotel on the island.
For those in search of something a bit, er, beyond the ordinary, Havana Club also has a range of premium rums that are marketed under the Iconica Collection brand. There are essentially five varieties to chose from within this collection: Seleccion de Maestros, Anejo 15 Anos, Union, Maximo Extra Anejo & Tributo.
Due to its tie up with Pernod Ricard, you can now find Havana Club around the world, both in bars & supermarkets. Often you will see Havana Club positioned side-by-side with Bacardi, the ‘original’ Cuban rum…….but that is a story for a different time.
This 6 Night Cuba Tour Holiday is a small group, escorted tour, starting in Havana and taking in the key destinations of Vinales, Las Terrazas, Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, Trinidad & Remedios. Please scroll down for full details of the itinerary together with tour dates & prices as well as guidance ...
Enjoy a private Cuba tour with your own driver / guide. This 10 night itinerary takes in the highlights of western Cuba but is only a small taste of what we can offer.
For clients short of time or who are simply happy to clip along at a good pace, this suggested week-long circuit of western Cuba starts and ends in Havana and incorporates both the island's towns and cities as well as its beautiful countryside.
My mojito in La Bodeguita, my daiquiri in El Floridita – so said Havana’s most famous literary resident and full-time bon-viveur, Ernest Hemingway.
La Bodeguita del Medio is a bar and restaurant located in the Old Havana neighbourhood of Cuba’s capital city
La Canchanchara is both the name of a cocktail and a bar (which specialises in the drink) in the town of Trinidad on Cuba’s south coast.
When making your travel arrangements, we understand just how important peace-of-mind is. Beyond The Ordinary hold both ATOL & ABTOT bonds so whether you book your flights through us, or independently, any money you pay us is 100% protected. More detailed information on Financial Protection can be found by clicking here.
Whichever of our featured countries you wish to visit, we've been there several times. So, if you're after something beyond the ordinary to Cuba, Nicaragua, Guatemala or the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, we'd love to hear from you.
