Hemmingway and Cuban Rum

Hemmingway and Cuban Rum. What's the Connection? What's unique about La Progresiva de Vigía 13 rum?

In Hemmingway's posthumous novel, 'Islands in the Stream,' Hemmingway writes about his time spent living in Cuba. One of Hemmingway's favourite pastimes was to sit at the bar and drink rum--often with lime juice or grapefruit juice. Hemmingway was so fond of La Habana that he chose to be buried there after his death.

La Progresiva de Vigía 13 is a unique type of rum because it has been aged for thirteen years, which provides an even smoother taste than most aged rums on the market today. This Cuban blend appeals to those looking for something different from traditional types of alcohol like tequila or vodka.

Hemmingway daiquiris were invented by the Hemingways themselves. Hemmingway's own recipe for his favourite drink, which is featured in 'Islands in The Stream' calls for one part white rum to three parts grapefruit juice. The addition of sugar syrup helps balance out flavours and gives it a nice smooth taste.

His time spent living on Cuban soil also resulted in him falling madly in love with La Havana Club Rum - "We had brought up our own supply of liquor from Miami-one case each, twelve bottles"- Isak Dinesen says he told her over dinner after they first met at Sloppy Joe's Bar (incidentally named after Hemingway himself).

Hemmingway's favourite Cuban rum was La Progresiva de Vigía 13, a blend of rums aged between 11 and 15 years.

Hemmingway drank it neat at room temperature. He also favoured the Havana Club Añejo Especial (aged around five years). If you want to try Hemingway’s preferred tasting method make sure your bottle is not chilled; this would detract from its subtle flavours. - Hemingway stopped drinking La Progresiva de Vigía in 1944 when he moved back to America because he couldn't get it there.
Things have changed since then as La Progresiva has been imported into the US and Hemingway's estate has authorized limited sales of his personal stock. The Hemmingway family still owns the Hemingway Rum Company, which is based in New York and imports La Progresiva de Vigía 13 rum to the US. They are hailed as one of Hemingway’s favourites by Mary Hemingway; however, rumours suggest that she was never able to open this particular bottle due to an unmoveable cork!

Authentic Cuban rums like La Progresiva de Vigía 13 have great allure among connoisseurs who enjoy aged spirits made with molasses rather than highly refined modern sugarcane.