Pampero Aniversario

Chavez's pursuit of 21st-century socialism, which aimed to redistribute income from the oil sector to social programs, came to an end with his personal defeat in the battle against cancer. Shortly after, an economic crisis erupted due to the collapse of oil prices. Adding to this (or possibly as a consequence), the U.S. administration imposed economic sanctions. The printing of money, in turn, resulted in hyperinflation. In Venezuela - a country with the largest confirmed oil reserves - hunger is currently widespread. The military oversees food distribution, and the government mandates the deployment of employees from both public and private enterprises to agricultural labour.

The bottle boasts a stylized wax seal imprinted with the brand's logo. It features the outline of a horseback rider - caballito frenao, which translates to a tamed horse - along with a courageous gaucho from the Venezuelan Pampas, where the chilling wind known as pampero sweeps through. That's the story behind the brand's name 'Pampero'.

In 1963, a commemorative rum was introduced to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Ocumare del Tuy distillery's launch, thus earning the name 'Anniversario'. Nearly three decades later, instead of the anticipated celebratory '50', we witnessed the takeover of Industrias Pampero by United Distillers (now Diageo plc).

Venezuela is a naturally stunning country. The blend's foundation comprises rums from local molasses. Distillation takes place in continuous column stills. Venezuelan law stipulates a minimum two-year ageing period, a prerequisite for labelling the end product as rum. Pampero matures in bourbon and sherry casks for a slightly extended period, about four years. For the intended hue, the producer incorporates caramel (E150a). Tests indicate the presence of 12 grams of sugar per litre in the final product.