Puerto Rican Rums
- Rums of Puerto Rico is the umbrella marketing organization for the rums produced in Puerto Rico.
- The organization is a government corporation supervised by the Industrial Development Company of Puerto Rico (PRIDCO) and is funded by a tax revenue program.
- Its aim is to market and promote the rums of Puerto Rico in the United States to increase sales and maintain image quality of member brands.
- Rum is a distilled spirit made from sugar cane, syrup, juice and molasses.
- Rums of Puerto Rico represents five primary brands of Puerto Rican rums: Bacardi, Don Q, Palo Viejo, Ron del Barrilito, and Ron Llave; each brand has different lines of products but all are held to the same strict high quality standards.
- The rums produced in Puerto Rico are divided into light (white), gold, dark and aged. Each has properties that determine whether the product should be mixed or sipped, which highlights the versatile qualities of rum.
- Since its founding in 1948, the industry has conducted studies to identify better processes that benefit the production and marketing of Puerto Rican rum. By law, there are certain steps that distinguish Puerto Rican rums from other brands produced in other countries: all rums must be aged at least 1 year, gold rums must be aged at least 2 years, and premium rums no less than 6 years. This is the only spirit with such a legal requirement in the world.
- Additional quality standards include the requirement of using only molasses to produce rum; the use of white oak barrels to age the products; and the production of rum made by continuous distillation only, not a still. All of these processes add to the flavor and quality of the final product.
- The rum industry in Puerto Rico generated over 700 direct and over 4,500 indirect jobs in FY09
- The industry provides jobs for workers in the distilleries and related activities. It also helps to improve the way of life for workers through high wages and other benefits that in turn benefit the economy in general.
- The Industry uses raw material, equipments and local services contributing to the integration of Puerto Rico’s industrial activity.
- During the year, Rums of Puerto Rico selects different events to promote their brand. Some of the events sponsored include Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Taste of Tennis, Citifield, Madison Square Garden and Saborea Puerto Rico.
- The first rum distillery in Puerto Rico was “Santa Cruz,” which was set up in 1548 by Don Gregorio de Santa Olaya in the town of Bayamon.
Individual Brands
The top-selling spirit in the United States is a Puerto Rican rum (Bacardi).
Although the island produces popular global brands such as Bacardi, the other member brands are of excellent quality as well and are hidden gems in the liquor category. For example, Don Q Cristal, is a white rum which is arguably the most popular rum in Puerto Rico.
- Bacardi, one of the most recognized rums in the world, was founded in 1862 in an effort to create a smooth, drink-alone version of rum. Today, Bacardi produces rums from the Bacardi Corporation headquarters in Puerto Rico and is most commonly known for its Bacardi White, Gold, Select, 8 and 151 Rums in addition to mixed blends such as Bacardi Limón, Bacardi Dragon Berry and Bacardi Peach.
- Destilería Serrallés, was created after Juan Serrallés imported a still from France to Ponce, Puerto Rico. Inspired by the success of other rum producers in Puerto Rico, Destilería Serrallés developed a refined brand with the intention of exporting it elsewhere. Named for the legendary Spanish fictional character, Don Quixote, Don Q made a name for itself as the rum used to make the first Piña Colada in 1954. Today, the distillery produces several Don Q brands, as well as Ron Llave and Palo Viejo.
- Produced by Edmundo B. Fernández Inc., a small rum producer administered from generations of the Fernandez family since 1871, Barrilito is the only blended rum that is actually blended before it is aged. What sets this sipping-quality rum apart from any other is the particular blend of family secret ingredients, the aging as well as the barrels used. This artisanal rum is produced annually and is distributed and sold locally but it is a favorite of rum enthusiasts living in the mainland United States.
Join Miami Culinary Tours for a virtual rum cocktail class or enjoy a rum cocktail at our Little Havana Food & Cultural Tour
