Fincasa Whiskey unveiled its latest expression earlier this month with the release of Batch 003, a rum-cask-finished rye whiskey that pays homage to owner Mike Martinez’s Puerto Rican heritage. The limited-edition release represents an important milestone for the brand in its mission to increase Latino representation in the whiskey industry.

The new expression features a 95% rye/5% malted barley whiskey sourced from MGP in Indiana. Aged a minimum of five years before undergoing a 13-month finishing period in former Puerto Rican rum barrels. Bottled at 100 proof, Batch 003 carries an MSRP of $84.99.

A Journey Through Cultural Heritage

Martinez founded Fincasa after recognizing the lack of Latino representation in whiskey ownership. His vision extends beyond creating quality spirits to highlighting Caribbean and Latin American cultural influences in the whiskey world.

“The most rewarding part of this journey has been connecting with people and hearing the stories of their families, stories that resonate with my own” said Martinez. “To know that they can see their own heritage reflected in our bottle and brand is truly special.”

Dubbed “Whiskey De La Tierra” (Whiskey of the Land), Fincasa’s approach begins with sourcing high-quality rye whiskey that Martinez believes balances spice and sweetness reminiscent of Caribbean cuisine. The whiskey then undergoes additional aging in origin-specific ex-rum barrels to add complexity and a sense of place.

Fincasa Whiskey Batch 003

For Batch 003, Fincasa focused specifically on Puerto Rico’s rum heritage, with the 13-month finishing period resulting in a complex flavor profile.

“Our third batch release, using Puerto Rican barrels, is a full-circle moment,” Martinez explained, “Seeing my vision come to life has been incredible. Each batch is a collection of evolving experiences, and we’re not only using origin-specific rum barrels but also telling stories through small label changes. We’re excited to share future releases from other rum-producing countries.”

According to the brand, Batch 003 offers notes of baking spices, vanilla, and dark cherry on the nose, with subtle hints of sweet plantain and dark chocolate. The palate delivers flavors of cherry, brown sugar, rich caramel, and molasses, while the finish is described as spice-driven with lingering notes of toasted caramel.

The previous two batches from Fincasa used ex-Barbados rum barrels for finishing periods of seven and nine months, respectively. Batch 003’s extended 13-month finishing represents the brand’s longest aging experiment to date.

Fincasa has ambitious expansion plans, including opening a barrel aging facility in Puerto Rico in 2026 and partnering with another distillery for U.S. production.

Read the full article at Fincasa Whiskey Honors Puerto Rican Heritage With New Rum-Finished Rye