Don Q Double Aged Port Cask Finish Rum
Don Q Double Aged Port Cask Finish Rum is the deep, brooding sibling of Don Q's cask-finish pair — a 40% ABV (80 proof) 750mL bottle of Puerto Rican rum aged 5–8 years in American white oak, then rested over three years in old European tawny Port wine casks. Where the Zinfandel finish goes bright and jammy, the Port finish goes dark: dried fruit, toasted nuts, and port-wine depth. One of just 1,800 cases worldwide, built by Maestra Ronera Silvia Santiago and Master Blender Liza Cordero — and a 95-point BevX scorer. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV / size: 40% ABV (80 proof) — 750mL
- Aging: double-aged — 5–8 years in American white oak, then 3+ years in old European tawny Port casks (Douro)
- Production: 1,800 six-bottle cases per expression, split between Puerto Rico, Europe, and the United States
- Makers: Maestra Ronera Silvia Santiago and Master Blender Liza Cordero
- Origin: Destilería Serrallés, Ponce, Puerto Rico
- Score: 95 points, BevX
Three Years in Tawny Port Wood
This is Don Q's third swing at whisky-style cask finishing — after Cognac and Vermouth casks came the paired wine-cask releases. The Port expression is the sipper of the two: old tawny Port casks from Europe's Douro tradition layering dried orchard fruit, toasted nuts, and dense pomegranate over Don Q's caramel-and-oak base. BevX's 95-point review called it "the perfect marriage of aged Rum and Port." Compare it with the Don Q Double Aged Zinfandel Cask Finish, browse more rum, or see the whole Don Q lineup at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
BevX (95 points): deep ruby red; nose of decadent caramel, juicy Ruby Port giving way to nutty Tawny Port, honey, brown baking spices, and toasted oak; a red-fruit-driven palate of caramel, dried orchard fruits, toasted nuts, and dense pomegranate; medium-to-full-bodied. The Daily Pour (80): red berries, red vine licorice, canned cranberry sauce, cherry cordials, and blackberry on the nose; jammy berries, cherry cordials, raspberries, and licorice on the palate.
How to Enjoy
Neat, absolutely — this is a contemplative, port-kissed rum. If you must mix, a split-base Old Fashioned with a high-rye bourbon lets the Port character sing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How limited is it?
1,800 six-bottle cases per expression, divided between Puerto Rico, Europe, and the United States.
Zinfandel or Port — which should I buy?
Buy the Zinfandel for brightness and red-fruit jam; buy the Port for depth, dried fruit, and nuts. Buy both if you can — that's the point of a paired release.
Who is Silvia Santiago?
Don Q's Maestra Ronera — the master rum-maker behind the Double Aged program, working with Master Blender Liza Cordero.
A 95-point rum in Port wood — add Don Q Port Cask Finish to your Del Mesa Liquor order, San Diego, CA.