Top 5 Puerto Rican Rum Brands to Try

Bacardi may be a Cuban-born rum producer, but they have a historic rum distillery called Casa Bacardi in Puerto Rico. Bacardi is one of the largest spirits companies in the world, and with a tenure of over 150 years, they’ve become a gold standard for rum. Their signature Carta Blanca white rum has characteristic sweet notes of vanilla and almond and a spicy finish.

Owned by the famous Serralles family, Don Q comes from a multi-generational tradition of sugarcane plantations and rum distilling. Don Q got its start in the 1860s when Don Juan Serralles used an imported French copper pot still to make the first batch. Now, Don Q has multiple signatures, limited edition, and flavored rum varieties to choose from. Their signature series features a clear, gold, and medal-winning Don Q 151.

Ron del Barrilito has been a small-batch rum producer since 1880. Founded by Pedro Fernandez, Ron de Barrilito was a pioneer of rum craftsmanship, and as such, this brand upholds the gold standard in Puerto Rico to this day. Ron de Barrilito has four signature rums denominated by stars. The four-star is a delicious blend, aged 20 years, with notes of macerated apricot, banana, mango, and fig.

Named for the limestone that filters the waters around Caliche’s distillery on the Serralles family estate in Ponce, Caliche is Puerto Rico’s favorite aged white rum producer. They use a multiple distillation process and an advanced filtration system to create unparalleled smoothness. Caliche’s aged white rum has vanilla and caramel notes with an earthy finish from the white oak casks.

Another rum under the Serralles Distileria monopoly, Palo Viejo, is a white rum that’s well-known in Puerto Rico. It may not be as popular in the U.S., but it’s a part of the honored multigenerational Serralles tradition. Palo Viejo is clear, with intense aromas of molasses that yield a sweet flavor. The finish is surprisingly smooth and great for sipping or mixing into a classic rum cocktail.