Eminente is a recent brand, but its story rests on a much older heritage. Launched in 2020, this Cuban rum was born within Moët Hennessy, the Wines and Spirits division of the LVMH group. To develop the brand, the group drew on Cuban know-how, notably through Cuba Ron and the work of Maestro Ronero César Martí.
This meeting of international expertise and local tradition allows Eminente to offer a modern vision of Cuban rum while keeping the elements that define the Cuban style: molasses, distillation, ageing, blending and, above all, the importance of aguardiente.
Eminente, a Cuban rum designed for sipping
Cuba has a long rum tradition. Growing sugar cane, producing molasses and mastering spirits have allowed the island to develop know-how recognised around the world.
Cuban rum is often associated with light, elegant profiles, particularly suited to mixology. With Eminente, the ambition is also to highlight another side of this tradition: sipping rum.
The brand therefore seeks more aromatic richness and depth while keeping the finesse typical of Cuban rums.
Our pick for this article
Moët Hennessy, LVMH and Cuba Ron
Eminente is developed within Moët Hennessy, which brings together LVMH's Wines and Spirits businesses.
To build a brand genuinely linked to Cuba, Moët Hennessy teamed up with Cuba Ron, a central player in the Cuban rum industry.
This collaboration brings together several complementary skills. Moët Hennessy contributes its expertise in the international spirits market and premium positioning. Cuba Ron contributes in-depth knowledge of Cuban production, ageing and blending methods.
Eminente therefore does not rest only on the image of Cuba. The brand draws directly on local know-how and on professionals trained in the Cuban rum tradition.
César Martí, Eminente's Maestro Ronero
The name César Martí is closely associated with Eminente.
César Martí is a Maestro Ronero, a Cuban master rum maker. He is involved in selecting the spirits, monitoring their ageing and above all in the final blend.
The work of a Maestro Ronero requires a very detailed knowledge of rum. He must know how different spirits will evolve in cask, how their aromas will complement each other and which proportions will achieve the desired balance.
César Martí therefore plays an essential role in Eminente's identity.
His work combines Cuban tradition with a more contemporary wish to create a premium rum for sipping.
Aguardiente at the heart of the Eminente style
One of the most important elements for understanding Eminente is aguardiente.
In the Cuban tradition, aguardiente refers to a particularly aromatic molasses spirit. It can be aged in cask before being incorporated into different blends.
Eminente particularly highlights this component.
Using a large proportion of aguardientes brings more structure, depth and complexity to the rum. These spirits are then combined with lighter rums to create a balance between intensity and elegance.
Aguardiente thus becomes one of the brand's aromatic signatures.
Ageing and blending
As with many great spirits, ageing plays an essential role at Eminente.
The spirits rest in cask and gradually evolve in contact with the wood. They develop new aromatic notes and gain roundness.
But age alone does not determine the quality of a rum.
Blending is just as important. The Maestro Ronero must select several spirits and combine them to build a coherent profile.
At Eminente, this step balances the light rums and the more expressive aguardientes.
The aim is a rum that offers freshness, aromatic richness and length on the palate.
Eminente Reserva, an iconic expression
Eminente Reserva is now one of the brand's best-known references.
This Cuban rum has a profile designed for sipping, with notes that can recall ripe fruit, spice, coffee, cocoa or dried fruit.
It can be enjoyed neat, over ice or in some cocktails.
The range also includes more elaborate expressions, such as Eminente Gran Reserva, which explore further the role of ageing, blending and different cask finishes.
Eminente, between Cuban tradition and international ambition
Eminente perfectly illustrates the meeting of two worlds.
On one side, Moët Hennessy and LVMH have strong experience of the global wine and spirits market. On the other, Cuba has a long rum tradition, carried in particular by Cuba Ron and the Maestros Roneros.
César Martí's know-how, the importance given to aguardiente, the work on casks and the precision of the blends give Eminente a distinctive identity.
The brand thus offers a contemporary interpretation of Cuban rum, focused on sipping and aromatic complexity, while keeping a strong link with Cuba's traditional methods.
Do you enjoy great sipping spirits? Discover our selection of exceptional spirits at Le Caveau des Pépites.
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Please drink responsibly.
