Puerto Rico is notably considered the rum capital of the world, and the essence of sugarcane-distilled liquor is intrinsically a part of the island and her people. On the island, rum is either served straight or blended into cocktails, marking the rhythm of youthful nights of salsa dancing. This constant rhythm might not be always audible, but it certainly can be felt. No other brand personifies this better than Ron del Barrilito, the island’s oldest and most cherished rum.

The foundation of Ron del Barrilito can be attributed to Pedro Fernȧndez in 1880, after his educational pursuit in Paris, France. During his time in Paris, his engineering classmates profoundly inspired him, specifically one named Egrot, the lineage behind the distillation process utilized in European spirits including sherry and cognac. Equipped with a revolutionary vision for the island’s aged rum, Pedro returned to Hacienda Santa Ana (the land in Bayamón, Puerto Rico that had been gifted to his family about a century ago).

“This was a totally unparalleled process in the world of rum,” stated Maggie Matias, the Chief Commercial Executive at Ron del Barrilito. In her conversation with Tasting Table, Matias explained, “The procurement of the ex-oloroso sherry barrels for ageing was remarkably challenging and costly, and the flavor spectrum of rums aged in these barrels were uncharted at that time.” Though Pedro’s distinct formula is a well-kept family secret, the brand verifies that the exact same formula continues to be used till today.

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While Ron del Barrilito can’t specify its exact formula, Matias confirmed that all of the brand’s rums are aged in ex-oloroso sherry barrels. This makes sense, considering that these barrels are typically used for European spirits — with a particular focus on Cognac. Cognac gained significance in the upper-class European culture right when Pedro was studying in France. Though considered practically undrinkable before the mid-1800s, barrel aging transformed its reputation. The same way, barrel aging brought rum into the spotlight, separating its association from being solely pirate’s drink. Pedro’s inspired use of barrels for Ron del Barrilito is thus clear.

“The unique flavor sherry barrels impart on aging rums is a definitive part of the Barrilito flavor profile,” as Matias puts it. Cognac also influenced Pedro’s process for producing Ron del Barrilito significantly – covering everything from flavor specifications to controlled distillation, and aging processes that make rum more flavorful. “Pedro was meticulous in his rum production, right from the distillation and pre-aging techniques like maceration process, which is case with Barrilito,” she added.

The breakthrough product of Ron Del Barillito was its three-star variant, manifesting Pedro’s perfection and replication of the craft. Borrowing from the same classification once used for Cognac, Ron del Barrilito released their second product, a two-star rum, only after prohibition concluded in the U.S.

For nearly 80 years, Ron Del Barillito had two rums: one for drinking neat, and one for mixing into cocktails. In 2018 the brand released its limited edition four and five-star bottles. Both are made exactly how Pedro would’ve intended them to be — just with 20 to 35 more years under the brand’s belt. With the incorporation of older rums into their blends, these bottles have an elegance to them that’s best reserved for drinking neat, or with a singular ice cube at most.

“The entire Ron del Barrilito product line is aimed at preserving a history of nearly two centuries worth of brand building and legacy, and that all started with the iconic three stars label,” said Matias. “Ultimately, the philosophy of the brand is that, while the label is quirky and far from the standard when it comes to product labels, the value is what is inside of the bottle, the rum.” In fact, some fourth-generation Fernandez family members are still involved in the production side of the business and, until a year ago, one of Pedro’s grandsons was living on the estate. Today, guests are welcome to visit Hacienda Santa Ana, where they can experience what makes Ron del Barrilito one-of-a-kind for themselves.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.