Ron Abuelo has announced that Ron Abuelo XII Años Two Oaks, Selección Especial — their newest aged rum from Panama — is now available in the U.S. market.

Ron Abuelo XII Años Two Oaks, Selección Especial is made from a blend of aged rums, between 8 and 40+ years old, averaging just over 11-years old. The rum was matured in white oak bourbon barrels before finishing in first fill extra-charred American oak barrels.

The idea for Ron Abuelo Two Oaks arose when Luis J. Varela, Jr., third generation of the Varela family and current head of the company, wanted to produce a rounder, silkier version of what currently exists in the Abuelo portfolio, the company says. Varela and the Ron Abuelo team worked with a cooperage house in Napa Valley to devise barrel treatments and techniques.

Two Oaks spends its last nine months in virgin American oak 200-liter barrels that have been cut on the inside to ensure maximum surface extraction, the company says. Once cut, the interior of the barrel experiences a slow and low (180°C / 356°F) char for 60-minutes using a natural wood fire. Once this portion is completed, the barrel receives a final char at a much higher temperature (225°C / 437°F) for 20-25 seconds to finish the treatment. The result is a barrel specific to the creation of Two Oaks that features 8 millimeters of interior black char. The barrel is then filled with the just-over 11-year-old rum for its final nine-month aging and finishing phase.

The barrel treatment and techniques amplify the lignin (the source of vanillin) naturally producing notes of vanilla and spice, the company says. The intense heat, or charring, also breaks down the carbohydrates into simple wood sugars, turning them into notes of caramel, toffee and butterscotch in this final phase. Further, the 8 millimeters of char lessens the liquid’s contact with the wood’s tannins, ultimately producing a rum with a silky and round character, according to the company.

The resulting rum is dark mahogany with a bouquet of light smoke and toasted oak supported by vanilla and nuts, tasting notes suggest. Lightly smoky and velvety in the mouth, Two Oaks has a taste of spice, caramel and roasted coffee beans with hints of coconut.

Available in select markets now, Ron Abuelo XII Años Two Oaks Selección Especial will continue to roll out nationally in 2021. The suggested retail price is $59.99 per 750-ml. bottle.

Ron Abuelo is exclusively imported into the U.S. by Total Beverage Solution, SC.