Ron Abuelo XII Two Oaks

Varela Hermanos' Ron Abuelo Two Oaks is a double-aged rum. The finish is the focus of aging experimentation. It is a blend of rums aged in ex-bourbon oak barrels for at least 12 years. The blend is then aged for 9 months in extra "charred" American virgin oak barrels. Additional "charring" of virgin barrels occurs in the Napa Valley. In other words, it starts with an initial toasting at 180°C to gently open up the wood grain. Then, at 220°C, further charring occurs, reaching up to 8 mm below the surface of the wood. Inside the barrels, at the end of the carbonization process, grooves are carved to increase the contact surface. This two-step procedure extracts flavor from the wood and also creates a natural charcoal filter, giving Abuelo Two Oaks a nice and smooth finish.