Flor de Cana 130th Anniversary 750ML

Flor de Cana 130th Anniversary 750ML is a 20-year-old Nicaraguan rum bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof) to commemorate the distillery's 130 years of continuous rum production. Awarded 96 points by Wine Enthusiast, this limited commemorative expression stands among the most critically acclaimed rums produced in Central America.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 Proof)  |  Origin: Chichigalpa, Nicaragua  |  20 Years Old  |  Distillery: Compañía Licorera de Nicaragua

Production & Heritage

Compañía Licorera de Nicaragua (CLN), based in Chichigalpa, has been distilling rum since the late 19th century, making it one of the longest-operating distilleries in the Americas. The 130th Anniversary expression is distilled from molasses using column stills, then matured for a full 20 years in ex-bourbon oak barrels at the foot of the active San Cristóbal volcano. That volcanic microclimate generates intense heat, accelerating the interaction between spirit and wood and producing a rum with unusual depth and concentration for its stated age. Flor de Caña is also widely recognized as a carbon-neutral and Fair Trade certified distillery, though this bottling's distinction lies squarely in its extended aging and commemorative significance.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bold oak and toasted hazelnut greet the nose first, followed by waves of dark chocolate and warm caramel. Beneath those primary notes, dried fig, treacle, and a wisp of toasted black pepper add complexity.

Taste: The entry is viscous and full-bodied, immediately delivering dark chocolate and deep caramel. At mid-palate, dried fig and date emerge alongside baked banana with brown sugar and a subtle tropical hint of pineapple and mango. The rum builds toward a peak of dark spice and walnut, with a dry tannic grip that keeps the sweetness firmly in check.

Finish: Exceptionally long and drying, with burnt oak, vanilla, and toasted nuts lingering well after each sip. A dusty cocoa-powder fade-out closes the experience, punctuated by fleeting plum skin astringency.

How to Drink the 130th Anniversary

A rum of this age and complexity deserves to be sipped neat at room temperature or with a single cube of ice to open up the denser oak-driven notes. A few drops of water can also soften the tannic structure and reveal more of the dried fruit character. For cocktail use, the 130th Anniversary brings serious weight to an Old Fashioned, where its chocolate and walnut notes pair naturally with Angostura bitters. It also excels in a Rum Manhattan, substituting for whiskey with a richer, more tropical profile. A Vieux Carré variation works well too, as the rum's dark spice and cocoa tones complement sweet vermouth and Bénédictine.

Best For

• Gifting a rum enthusiast or aged-spirits collector something with genuine provenance
• Anchoring a premium rum tasting flight alongside other 15–25 year expressions
• Celebrating a milestone — the commemorative backstory adds meaning to the pour
• After-dinner sipping as a standalone digestif alongside dark chocolate or cigars

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the 130th Anniversary taste like? It delivers a rich, full-bodied profile dominated by dark chocolate, caramel, and toasted nuts, balanced by dried fruit sweetness and a long, drying oak finish.

How does the 130th Anniversary compare to Flor de Caña 25 Year? Both are premium aged expressions from the same distillery and occupy a similar price tier, but the 25 Year carries five additional years of barrel maturation, resulting in even deeper oak influence and drier tannins. The 130th Anniversary, at 20 years and 45% ABV, tends to show more vibrancy and fruit character with a slightly higher proof point.

Is the 130th Anniversary good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its 20 years of bourbon-barrel aging and 45% ABV produce a complex, smooth rum that rewards slow, attentive sipping without any need for mixers.

Where is the 130th Anniversary made? It is produced by Compañía Licorera de Nicaragua at their distillery in Chichigalpa, a town in northwestern Nicaragua located at the base of the active San Cristóbal volcano.

What foods pair well with the 130th Anniversary? Dark chocolate truffles complement the rum's cocoa and caramel notes. Aged hard cheeses like Manchego or Gouda mirror its nutty undertones. Pecan pie or walnut-studded desserts echo the toasted nut character. Dried fruit and charcuterie boards bring out the fig and date layers. Grilled stone fruit with brown sugar plays into the baked banana and plum notes.

What sizes does the 130th Anniversary come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is the 130th Anniversary worth the price? Positioned as a premium aged rum with a verified 20-year age statement and a 96-point Wine Enthusiast score, the 130th Anniversary competes credibly with top-shelf aged rums from across the Caribbean and Central America, making it a strong value within the ultra-premium rum tier.

Why the 130th Anniversary?

A 96-point score from Wine Enthusiast is not handed out casually, and among Nicaraguan rums — or aged rums in general — that places the 130th Anniversary in rare company. The combination of a true 20-year age statement, volcanic terroir aging at the foot of San Cristóbal, and a bottling strength of 45% ABV gives this expression a density and complexity that many similarly priced competitors cannot match. Its commemorative nature also makes it a rum with a story, marking over a century of unbroken distilling tradition in Chichigalpa. For drinkers seeking a serious aged rum that balances richness with structure, this is one of the strongest options the category has to offer.