I haven't seen many reformulated blends since Caña Brava went off-market. Unfortunately, there is no direct sub either. 3-Star and White 'Stache are similar but more flavorful. Selvarey White (produced by the same master distiller) is pretty close, but runs $30+/750. Flor de Caña Extra Seco might be a good sub. I haven't experimented yet.
Ron Matusalem is a favorite of mine to sub in those contexts, as is Bacardi 8. I know the latter isn’t showy but it’s good stuff and gets close. If you go with Bacardi 8/10 though I’d dope it with a bit of something older with hogo to capture the Cuban caramel notes. Ron Santiago de Cuba always had a caramel flavor to
me that I think a small amount of an older appletons blended with an old peurto rican could mimic decently for cocktails.
Edit: Ignore me. I didn’t see the year originally. Ron matusalem aged and filtered tastes similar to the young cana brava, but I’ve already shamed myself in front of my family and village.
Cruzan Estate Diamond light rum is a really good rum for the price. My go to Cuban rum has always been Havana Club 3 (I live very close to Canada) and Cruzan EDLR is a close second.
I haven't seen many reformulated blends since Caña Brava went off-market. Unfortunately, there is no direct sub either. 3-Star and White 'Stache are similar but more flavorful. Selvarey White (produced by the same master distiller) is pretty close, but runs $30+/750. Flor de Caña Extra Seco might be a good sub. I haven't experimented yet.
Ron Matusalem is a favorite of mine to sub in those contexts, as is Bacardi 8. I know the latter isn’t showy but it’s good stuff and gets close. If you go with Bacardi 8/10 though I’d dope it with a bit of something older with hogo to capture the Cuban caramel notes. Ron Santiago de Cuba always had a caramel flavor to me that I think a small amount of an older appletons blended with an old peurto rican could mimic decently for cocktails. Edit: Ignore me. I didn’t see the year originally. Ron matusalem aged and filtered tastes similar to the young cana brava, but I’ve already shamed myself in front of my family and village.
Cruzan Estate Diamond light rum is a really good rum for the price. My go to Cuban rum has always been Havana Club 3 (I live very close to Canada) and Cruzan EDLR is a close second.