Review: Fincasa Rum Barrel Finish Rye
According to a July 2025 Gallup poll, only 54% of American adults report that they currently drink alcohol. That figure represents a historic low. From 1997 through 2021, the percentage of adults who drank alcohol consistently held at or above 60%. The drop has placed real pressure on the American beverage alcohol industry, which now faces the challenge of holding on to existing consumers while also finding ways to connect with new ones. Traditional marketing playbooks no longer guarantee results, and brands are being forced to rethink who they speak to and how they show up.
One demographic shift stands out. By 2030, Latinos are projected to make up 23% of the United States population of legal drinking age. Despite that growth, American whiskey marketing has, for the most part, overlooked Latino consumers. In any category, it is difficult to build interest when people do not see themselves reflected in a product or its story. The same reality applies here. As Latinos approach a quarter of the legal drinking population, the absence of meaningful representation in American whiskey becomes harder to ignore.
Fincasa Whiskey was formed from that gap. Founded in 2019 by Michael Antonio Martinez, the brand was created to increase Puerto Rican and broader Latino visibility within the spirits industry. While it is legal to distill bourbon and rye whiskey in Puerto Rico, no such production has taken place as of 2026. As a result, Martinez chose to source rye whiskey from MGP in Indiana and finish it using Caribbean rum barrels, creating a bridge between established American whiskey production and Caribbean influence.
Batch 004 of Fincasa de la Tierra Rum Barrel Finish Rye Whiskey was released in the winter of 2026. The whiskey begins as an Indiana-distilled rye with a mashbill of 51% rye, 45% corn, and 4% malted barley. Four barrels were filled on August 1, 2019. After aging for 5 years and 9 months, the whiskey was transferred in May 2025 for secondary maturation. The first 3 years of aging took place in Indiana, followed by 2 years and 9 months in Miami, Florida.
For the finishing stage, the rye was placed into Barbados rum barrels for an additional 6 months, with a final dump date of October 4, 2025. The Miami aging occurred in a small, non climate controlled warehouse, exposing the barrels to South Florida conditions. From fill to bottle, Batch 004 spent a total of 6 years, 2 months, and 3 days in oak.
Fincasa’s stated goal is to offer visible Latino representation within the spirits world while also contributing to the long term health of the category. The question that follows is unavoidable. Is Batch 004 a rye whiskey designed primarily to speak to a specific audience, or is it a thoughtfully made release capable of standing alongside any American rye on its own terms?
The only way to answer that is in the glass.
Fincasa Rum Barrel Finish Rye Whiskey Review
he nose begins with the childhood scent of a freshly opened container of Play Doh, followed by banana bread that has been sitting out long enough to cool to room temperature. With a bit of time in the glass, hints of Hershey’s Kisses and underripe pear come into play. The aromas feel clean and orderly, but they do not demand much attention. It is pleasant, though easy to forget, and it never quite reaches the point of being especially noteworthy.
The palate tells a different story. The first sip brings French toast drizzled with a light amount of maple syrup, quickly followed by the sweetness of raw chocolate chip cookie dough. As the whiskey moves across the tongue, more familiar rye driven flavors arrive, including orange marmalade and root beer barrel candy. This progression works very well. The sweetness leads, but it stays measured, balanced by the citrus bite of the marmalade and the slight snap of the root beer note. The mouthfeel lands in the middle range.
As the whiskey transitions toward the finish, additional complexity shows up. Pencil shavings and the charred edge of toast crust appear first, before easing into hazelnut coffee creamer at the close. The ending reinforces the strengths of the palate rather than introducing anything jarring.
Batch 004 is an enjoyable pour overall, even if it takes its time getting there. The nose may underwhelm, but the payoff arrives on the palate and carries through to the finish. Bottled at 100 proof, it drinks comfortably. The main hesitation comes down to price. At $80, it faces stiff competition from bottles that deliver a bit more excitement for the same money. Were it priced closer to the $65 to $70 range, this would be an easy recommendation and a bottle I would reach for without much debate.
100 proof
B+ / $80
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