Havana Club Añejo Especial
Havana Club's golden rum: a blend of young white and old dark rum, double-matured and with a mild finish. Fuller than the white 3 Años and made for the Cuba Libre and the ginger beer highball.
A blend of young and old
Havana Club Añejo Especial is a blend of young white rum and old dark rum. The rum first matures in barrels that previously held American bourbon, then moves to fresh Irish whiskey barrels for a second maturation. This double maturation adds extra vanilla and a beautiful golden colour.
Where the 3 Años is filtered until clear after maturation, Especial retains its golden colour. As a result, it is slightly fuller, with more wood and caramel, but still light enough to mix. At 37.5%, it has the same alcohol content as the 3 Años. It is the rum for a Cuba Libre with more flavour, or for a glass over ice.
In brief
Smooth, golden and with extra vanilla
Vanilla and wood
Soft aromas of vanilla and caramel, with a light woody note from the double maturation.
Round and light
Fuller than a white rum, but still light-bodied. Vanilla and caramel balanced with the fresh core of the young rum.
Mild
A mild, smooth finish without any harsh edges. That is why it works so well with cola and ginger beer.
Tasting profile of Havana Club Añejo Especial neat. With cola or ginger beer, the vanilla comes through most prominently.
How to drink Especial
Especial is a characterful blended rum: full-bodied enough to stand up to cola and ginger beer, yet smooth enough to drink over ice.
Cuba Libre
50 ml Havana Club Añejo Especial with 120 ml cola in a highball glass filled with ice. Squeeze a lime wedge over it and drop it into the glass. Fuller than with white rum.
To the recipe →With ginger beer
50 ml Especial, 100 ml ginger beer and 10 ml lime juice over plenty of ice in a tall glass. The ginger and vanilla complement each other beautifully.
Dark 'n Stormy →On the rocks
4 cl Especial over a large ice cube in a tumbler, optionally with a piece of orange peel. The ice softens the alcohol and brings out the vanilla.
Tumblers →Cocktails with Havana Club Añejo Especial
The Especial is an excellent base for mixed drinks. These four show off its golden side best.
Cuba Libre
Rum, cola and lime. With the Especial, it gets more vanilla and oak notes.
Dark 'n Stormy
Rum with ginger beer and lime. Spicy, refreshing and easy to make.
Painkiller
Rum, pineapple, orange and coconut cream with nutmeg. Creamy and summery.
Rum Punch
Rum, fruit juice, lime and grenadine. Easy to make in a large pitcher.The right glass for the Especial
A sturdy highball glass for a Cuba Libre and a Dark 'n Stormy, a tiki glass for a Painkiller and a tumbler for a drink with ice.
More Havana Club flavours
Havana Club
Where it all began. On the brand page, you can read everything about Havana Club: origins, varieties and classic cocktails.
To Havana Club →
Havana Club 7 Años
At least seven years in white oak. Tobacco, cocoa, vanilla and dried fruit; neat or with a single ice cube.
View Havana Club 7 Años →
Havana Club Selección de Maestros
Selected by all the maestros together and bottled straight from the cask. Full, oaky and powerful.
View Havana Club Selección de Maestros →
Havana Club 15 Años
Fifteen years in white oak, in a limited edition. Deep and oaky, full of dried fruit, vanilla and caramel.
View Havana Club 15 Años →
Havana Club Cuban Spiced
Vanilla and spices with guava, coconut and pineapple. Sweeter than the rest and made for cola and ginger ale.
View Havana Club Cuban Spiced →Everything about rum: the types, the best-known brands and the cocktails.
Questions about Havana Club Añejo Especial
Can't find your question here? Read more on the Havana Club page or explore our cocktail recipes.
Everything about Havana Club →