Postcard from Bacardi Rum Factory, Puerto Rico

Planning a trip? No need to get your passport ready because here in Puerto Rico passports are not required for US citizens.

When spending time on this lush tropical island it’s important to immerse yourself in the local culture, taste unique foods, and explore the island’s natural beauty - and not forget about the local rum, Bacardí.

Steeped in history and tradition, Bacardí is the most famous rum in Puerto Rico. When the Bacardi family discovered fruit bats living in the rafters of their first distillery, they decided to feature the bat on the label of their award-winning spirit. For the family, it was a sign of good luck, but for the rest of us, it's the sign of a fabulous tasting rum.

Bacardí Rum: Where to Try it in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico takes the title “Cathedral of Rum” seriously which is why I decided to visit Casa Bacardí in Cataño. It is here you can participate in a mixology class, indulge in a rum tasting, or embark on a fascinating historical tour. The Casa Bacardí tours and classes all have a fun vibe, there’s space to hang out, and opportunities to try different rums. It’s a great way to spend the afternoon and when you arrive, you're greeted at the oceanfront pavilion with a welcome cocktail in a commemorative Bacardí cup.

Bacardi History

In 1862 the Bacardí family, led by Don Facundo Bacardí Masso, made their own unique blends in Cuba with a revolutionary rum-making process using charcoal filtration. The result? It changed the historically harsh unrefined grog into a smooth, light-bodied spirit. After the move from Cuba to Puerto Rico in 1936, Don Facundo’s talent for refining the quality of the family’s rum set the standard, catapulting Bacardí toward achieving over 550 awards and making Bacardí the number one rum in the world.

Bacardí Mixology Class

As a rum lover, I wanted to be sure I returned home with the skills needed to make the perfect Cuba libre, daiquiri, and mojito for my friends and family. Deciding to attend a Bacardi mixology class, it didn’t let me down. With my own bar set up and the direction of a highly skilled instructor, I used jiggers, shakers, and stirrers to “season” the ice, smack and muddle the mint, and mix three perfect cocktails using Bacardí white and gold rums. If you're interested in making these cocktails on your own, here are a few Rum Cocktail Recipes.

The mixology class, however, proved to be so much more. The fascinating historical tour and distillery visit provided me with an understanding of the long-standing relationship between Puerto Rico and rum and an appreciation for what it takes to make over 132,000 liters of this spirit a day. 

Is it 5:00 yet?  It is somewhere, which means it’s rum time.

Passionate, warm, and welcoming, I encourage you to visit the island and when you do, make Casa Bacardí your first stop. Let us raise our glasses to those at Bacardí who make the spirit of rum possible. 

If you love adventure, travel and off the beaten path destinations, visit boulevardsandbyways.com and like/follow me on:

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Submitted by Carmel, NY

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