Ron del Barrilito is the oldest Puerto Rican rum brand still in production.[1] Since 1880, it has been made by the Fernández family at Hacienda Santa Ana in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
History
Origins
Hacienda Santa Ana's origins date back to Fernando Fernández. A native of Cantabria, Spain, Fernández came to Puerto Rico in 1787. He was a privateer for the Spanish Crown. After retiring he was bestowed large tracts of farmland, approximately 2,500 acres, located along Puerto Rico's northern coast. This land was mostly used for growing sugarcane, one of the island's largest crops in that era. At this time the Hacienda Santa Ana only produced sugar, not rum. However, as was common during the era Haciendas made their own personal rum with the molasses by-product of the sugar production.
Fernando Fernández had two sons: José Ramón and Manuel. José Ramón, the oldest, inherited Hacienda La Esperanza in the town of Manatí, Puerto Rico. Manuel, the youngest, was left in charge of Hacienda Santa Ana in Bayamón.
Beginning of rum production
Rum production at Hacienda Santa Ana's started during the family's third generation in Puerto Rico. During the mid-1860s, Pedro Fernández, one of Manuel's sons, went away to study engineering in France, where he developed an interest in the production of brandies and cognacs.
Upon his return to Puerto Rico in 1871, taking a cue from the European custom of families producing their own liquors for their personal use and to entertain visitors, Pedro started producing rum.
Although the rum was initially produced for private consumption, word started spreading amongst the Hacienda's frequent visitors that the rum produced by Pedro Fernández at Santa Ana was truly exceptional.
Methods
Much of Ron del Barrilito's formula remains a closely guarded family secret, apart from the fact that it is aged in vintage white oak barrels that previously held “oloroso” sherry, and that no artificial flavorings or colorings are used in the process.[4]
Packaging
Ron del Barrilito's iconic label has remained virtually unchanged since the late nineteenth century.[5] The medals on the main label's upper segment were awarded for quality during various Expositions across the United States in the early twentieth century.
The star-based denomination is another takeaway that Pedro Fernández learned from French brandy making. It was common practice in France at that time to use stars to show the quality of a particular brandy.
Varieties
The original rum that started it all is known today as Ron del Barrilito Tres Estrellas (“Three Stars”). It is a blend of rums aged between 6 and 10 years. It is a versatile rum that can be used for anything from cocktails to sipping.
Later introduced during the Prohibition Era, Ron del Barrilito Dos Estrellas (“Two Stars”) is a younger rum better suited for everyday drinking. Dos Estrellas is aged between 3 and 5 years.
In 2018, Ron del Barrilito launched a limited edition production of Ron del Barrilito Cinco Estrellas (“Five Stars”) Reserva Suprema, a blend of rums aged up to 35 years. This rum is no longer in production, as such when the bottles run out it is gone.[6] In 2019, to celebrate the opening of the visitor center, a special blend was created. Ron del Barrilito Cuatro Estrellas (”Four Stars”), Edicion de la Hacienda is aged between 10 and 20 years and is only available at their visitor center where customers can fill and seal their own bottle.[7]
Ron del Barrilito also makes two unique products: Ron Hacienda Santa Ana, an overproof rum that has 69% alcohol by volume, and coquito. The coquito is made using the signature Ron del Barrilito Tres Estrellas rum.
In 2023, Ron del Barrilito introduced its collection of single cask
External links
References
- "Una Inversion Millonaria Amplifica el Legado de Ron del Barrilito", "El Nuevo Dia", July 2018^
- "Hacienda Santa Ana: Home of Ron del Barrilito", "Puerto Rico Day Trips", April 2014^
- "Ron del Barrilito - Since 1880", "Ron del Barrilito"^