Meet the Producers | Cabezon Beverage | 2024

Cabezon, meaning ‘Pig headed’ in Spanish, was founded in 2020 by David Smith, with the mission to create a rum that stands out.

In the world of spirits, the unique blend of cultures often gives rise to exceptional flavours and stories. Cabezon Beverage exemplifies this blend, marrying the robust heritage of the Scottish Highlands with the vibrant, sunny essence of the Caribbean. This fusion not only defines its flavour profile but also narrates a story of passion, craftsmanship and adventure.

Cabezon Beverage was born from spirit enthusiasts who were deeply rooted in Scottish tradition but equally enchanted by the allure of Caribbean rums. The journey began with the ambition to craft a rum that was distinctly Scottish yet embraced the complexity and vibrancy of Caribbean rums. The rums are tropically aged for five years in the Caribbean before being moved to the cooler climes of Scotland. Upon arrival at the distillery in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Guyanese and Dominican rums are blended to perfection and then split into two batches.

Batch one is macerated with sultanas to impart a subtle Christmas morning feel, adding natural sweetness and depth of colour. Batch two is infused with botanicals, including fresh Scottish honey from a farm across the road as well as Madagascan vanilla, West African kola nut and a touch of spicy Arabian cubeb for a lip-tingling warmth.

They distill their infused rum to create a fresh white rum and then blend with the macerated Batch 1 to achieve a gorgeous, golden Caribbean rum colour. The final touch involves bringing the rum down to bottling strength using spring water trickled down from the Cairngorm mountains.

For their second expression, The Accord, the aging process in Scotland also plays a crucial part in shaping the rum's character. The Scottish climate, known for its cool and damp conditions, influences the aging process differently from the tropical aging in the Caribbean. This unique Scottish terroir imparts Ron Cabezon, The Accord with a distinctive smoothness and depth, gradually enhancing the rum's inherent flavours of honey, West African kola nut and spice with a slight hint of the peaty smokiness reminiscent of Scotch whiskies.

Cabezon Beverage is available in nearly 400 on- and off-trade venues across the UK, as well as select locations in the USA and Spain.  Ron Cabezon is often enjoyed neat or on the rocks, allowing its complex flavours to be thoroughly appreciated. It also serves as a versatile base in sophisticated cocktails, easily mingling with various mixers to create refreshing concoctions that hint at its dual heritage.

As Ron Cabezon continues to grow in popularity, it serves as a testament to innovation and collaboration across continents. Each bottle reflects the skilled craftsmanship of its makers and serves as a bridge between Scottish and Caribbean spirits, blending tradition with daring innovation. Ron Cabezon is more than just a rum; it is a celebration of cultural unity and the beauty of expertly crafted spirits.

Website | cabezonbeverage.com

Facebook | fb.com/cabezonbeverage

Instagram | @cabezonbeverage

Twitter | @cabezonbeverage