Papa's Pilar 24 Dark Rum Spanish Sherry Cask Finish
Papa's Pilar 24 Dark Rum Spanish Sherry Cask Finish is a 43% ABV (86 proof) solera-blended dark rum in a 750mL bottle, finished for approximately 30 days in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks, available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 43% (86 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Origin: blended and bottled in Florida, USA — rums sourced from Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Venezuela, and Florida
- Aging: solera maturation in bourbon barrels, port wine casks, and Spanish Oloroso sherry casks, plus ~30 days finishing in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks
- Master Distiller: Ron Call
- Rating: 93 points, Wine Enthusiast (per retailer reports)
- The "24": the 24th solera taste profile in the blend — a recipe number, not an age statement
The Story Behind Papa's Pilar
Papa's Pilar is a tribute to Ernest Hemingway — "Papa" — and the 38-foot fishing boat, the Pilar, that carried him through the waters of Key West, Cuba, and Bimini. The 24 Dark Rum Spanish Sherry Cask Finish honors that legacy of exploration in the glass: a hand-blended solera rum that begins as aged rums from across the Caribbean and the Americas — Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Venezuela, and Florida — resting in bourbon barrels, port wine casks, and Spanish Oloroso sherry casks before a final ~30 days in Oloroso sherry casks adds layers of dried fruit, toffee, and toasted nut. The "24" marks the 24th solera taste profile the blending team approved — a recipe milestone, not an age claim. It arrives in a heavy decanter-style bottle built for the shelf. Explore more in our rum collection and the full Papa's Pilar lineup.
Tasting Notes
The nose opens with rich caramel, dried figs and dates, toasted oak, and a nutty sherry essence. The palate is velvety and lush — dark chocolate, toffee, hazelnut, and layered baking spice over a core of black-peppered molasses. The finish is long and warming, with lingering sherry warmth, caramel apple, and oak tannins.
How to Enjoy
Sip it neat or over a single large ice cube to let the sherry-cask layers open. It elevates a Rum Old Fashioned or a Rum Manhattan — the port and sherry influence gives it a natural affinity for sweet vermouth. Pair with dark chocolate or aged nuts, and see our spirits collection for more after-dinner sippers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ABV of Papa's Pilar 24 Sherry Cask Finish?
It is bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof) in a 750mL bottle.
Does "24" mean the rum is 24 years old?
No. The "24" refers to the 24th solera taste profile — the recipe number approved by the blending team — while individual rum components in the blend reach up to 24 years of age.
What does the Spanish sherry cask finish add?
Approximately 30 days in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks adds notes of dried fruit, toffee, hazelnut, and warm spice on top of the solera rum's bourbon-barrel and port-cask depth.
Who inspired Papa's Pilar Rum?
Ernest Hemingway — "Papa" — and his boat, the Pilar. The brand is made by the Hemingway Rum Company in Florida.
A Hemingway-worthy pour with sherry-cask depth — add Papa's Pilar 24 Dark Rum Spanish Sherry Cask Finish to your cart at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.