Giving people the second chance they need all while making some of the best rum in the world
In this world, there is this notion of a second chance. However, the sad truth is that many people in this world are not offered that second chance to not have a single moment define them. In comes Project Alcatraz which is a program that centers itself around redemption and giving a second chance to those who would have never been given the opportunity. The program was started by a Venezuelan rum brand called Santa Teresa 1796 and aims to provide assistance, learning opportunities, and training to criminal gang members in Venezuela. And surprisingly, the way that Project Alcatraz provides its support and opportunities is through the sport of rugby. Their rationale is that rugby provides strong foundational values such as respect, discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, and humility are taught as keys to success in life. And through this method, Santa Teresa 1796 and Project Alcatraz have helped 11 gangs with more than 200 gang members.
Santa Teresa 1796 is a Venezuelan rum brand that brings generations of rum making to the forefront. By redefining how rum is made, using their signature Solera technique where they leverage the same rum barrels through each batch of rum, Santa Teresa has garnered the attention as one of the best rum brands in the world. On the nose, it has a dark profile of dark chocolate and decadent caramel with hints of tropical fruits. And on the palate you get a beautiful sweetness of chocolate and vanilla with hints of vanilla. This rum pairs perfectly with any cocktail recipe that calls for rum and is one that we noted to bring out the flavors of every ingredient in the cocktail.
And to celebrate the accomplishments of Project Alcatraz and Santa Teresa 1796, an intimate dinner was hosted at The Hawksmoore in NYC. At the dinner, guests got to sample some craft cocktails made with Santa Teresa 1796 and snack on small bites. One of the cocktails that we absolutely loved was the 24 Carrot Highball which was made with Santa Teresa 1796, Carrot Eau de Vie, carrot shrub, ginger beer, and soda. We usually know a highball to have whiskey or scotch, but the addition of Santa Teresa was next level. The beautiful depth of sweetness and notes of vanilla paired well with the subtle sweetness of the carrot shrub. And the addition of ginger beer into the mix helped bring a balance to the sweetness in the cocktail. The 24 Carrot Highball was without a doubt one of the crowd favorites of the night. And once guests settled in, the team from Santa Teresa 1796 made heartfelt speeches about the impact of this program as well as their time working at Santa Teresa 1796. And among one of the speeches was from Luis Daniel Lopez. Flying in from Venezuela for this event, Luis gave a sincere speech about his past of being on the National Rugby Team and eventually becoming a player and trainer at the Alcatraz Rugby Club. Speaking on moments of family and comradery, it was clear how important and impactful the work being done at Project Alcatraz is. And we would be remiss to not mention that with his help, the Alcatraz Rugby Club has won four national championships in a row under his guidance. After the speeches concluded, the night continued with more craft cocktails being served and guests mingling and getting to know some of the team members at Santa Teresa 1796.
You can find out more information on Santa Teresa 1796 and on Project Alcatraz on their site here.
