Panama rum has been round about so long as the spirit itself, with the isthmus dealing with the Caribbean and the Spanish rising sugar cane right here nearly so long as they’d ft on the bottom. Even earlier than the canal got here alongside, items moved throughout the slender isthmus to get from one ocean to a different and people sailors and staff wanted one thing to drink!
The tropical local weather and fertile land of Panama create the proper situations for sugarcane cultivation, making it a super location for rum manufacturing. Panamanian rum has lengthy been an also-ran on the excessive finish although, with far much less recognition than Guatemalan rum or the well-known Flor de Cana from Nicaragua. In a manner that has was a plus, nonetheless. Since one firm doesn’t have a lock in the marketplace prefer it does in these counties, smaller producers have been in a position to flourish whereas taking their time to let the barrels mature.
I’m dropping rely of what number of occasions I’ve been to Panama, together with stopovers, however every time I discover one other rum model I’ve by no means heard of earlier than that’s promoting a premium aged sipping rum. This final time I used to be in Panama Metropolis, on the finish of 2024, it felt like there was an explosion. There’s a correct rum bar in Casco Viejo now and the shop cabinets have sufficient selections to inventory your bar for years. Panamanian rums have quietly developed a popularity for high quality, with many manufacturers profitable prestigious awards at worldwide spirits competitions.
As the recognition of Panamanian rum continues to rise, anticipate costs to rise from their present worth degree, so snag a bottle in Panama itself the place the low taxes imply you’ll do higher than elsewhere. Pour a glass neat and luxuriate in a number of the best rum the world has to supply.
The Origins of Panamanian Rum
Panamanian rum has a wealthy historical past formed by varied influences, from early distillation strategies to the lasting affect of Spanish tradition. Its significance within the native tradition provides to its distinctive id and beloved standing.
The origins of rum in Panama might be traced again to the arrival of Spanish colonists within the sixteenth century. They introduced sugarcane and distillation strategies, which have been important to rum manufacturing.
By the late nineteenth century, rums started to realize extra construction and refinement. As distillation strategies superior, so did the standard of the rum. The humid local weather of Panama fostered superb situations for growing old rum, influencing the depth of flavors within the remaining product. Finally this culminated within the emergence of premium manufacturers.
The Spanish heritage is clear in each sip of Panamanian rum. Influential figures like José Varela Blanco, who arrived in Panama from Spain in 1893, remodeled the panorama of rum manufacturing. He launched revolutionary processes that enhanced the standard and taste profile of the rum.
At the moment, manufacturers like Carta Vieja and Zafra showcase this wealthy legacy. They’ve built-in conventional Spanish strategies with fashionable practices to provide distinctive rums.
Rum holds a treasured place in Panamanian tradition. It’s usually related to celebrations, household gatherings, and nationwide festivities. The famend Panama Rum Pageant, held yearly, highlights the nation’s wealthy distillation heritage and showcases native manufacturers.
Main Premium Rum Manufacturers from Panama
Panama is thought for its wealthy rum heritage, with a number of manufacturers standing out for his or her high quality and legacy. This part will spotlight a number of the main premium rum manufacturers from Panama, detailing their histories, accolades, and signature choices.
Varela Hermanos and Their Signature Ron Abuelo
Varela Hermanos has been a cornerstone of Panamanian rum manufacturing since 1908 and it’s the model you’re probably to see each throughout the nation and on international retailer cabinets. The “grandfather rum” is a staple of native cocktails on the low finish however has a secure of revered aged manufacturers on the excessive finish, with a number of award wins. This family-owned firm crafts its rums from regionally grown sugarcane, emphasizing conventional distillation strategies, and has been a pioneer of manufacturing sustainability each within the fields and the distillery.
The signature providing, Abuelo Rum, is among the best-known manufacturers from Central America. I feel the youthful model is a bit harsh and no standout, on par with a lot of the different cheap choices on the liquor retailer shelf for cocktails, however it will get higher and smoother because the years on the bottle go up.
Carta Vieja
Carta Vieja is one other main participant within the Panamanian rum scene, based within the Nineteen Fifties. The model gives a number of aged solera varieties, together with its well-liked 12-year-old and 18-year Añejo expressions.
I acquired to attempt the 12-year one on the Mandinga Rum Bar in Panama Metropolis after I was there, so kudos to the bar named after a selected model that isn’t afraid to showcase its rivals. I used to be actually proud of what I ordered, a posh sipping rum that hit all of the tastebuds and moved from scrumptious caramel to vanilla, chocolate, and leather-based.
This model has constantly gained accolades, similar to recognition on the San Francisco World Spirits Competitors. Critiques steadily level to its complicated taste profile, that includes hints of vanilla, oak, and spices, interesting to each novice and seasoned rum lovers.
Pedro Mandinga Rum
Mandinga Rum is a relative newcomer on the scene, established in 2013, however they’ve put some advertising and marketing muscle and funds into getting the phrase out, together with opening the branded rum bar talked about earlier in Casco Viejo. In all probability as a result of they’re so younger, most of their choices are meant for cocktails, with a spiced rum, a coconut rum, and one infused with the ultra-expensive Geisha Espresso from Panama.
They’ve their very own farm within the space close to Boquete and Mount Baru although, plus their product is triple-distilled in copper stills, so it is extremely clean.
I went straight for the highest of the road with the Mandinga Añejo, shopping for a bottle then passing it across the van with a bunch of fellow journey journey convention attendees. It acquired the thumbs up from them, however not till I had sipped some by myself on the resort balcony neat and on ice.
This rum isn’t as heavy as ones with extra age on them and may not be the perfect guess for those who’re going to smoke a cigar. It’s vivid, with tropical fruit notes, the oak lending simply sufficient seriousness that the end lingers and evolves. It’s a pleasant sipper in heat climate, which is on a regular basis in Panama.
This model is known as after a pacesetter of the Cimarron folks on the Caribbean coast, generally known as fierce warriors who might disappear into the wild terrain. Pedro grew to become a translator and information for pillaging pirate Francis Drake.
Don Poncho Origenes
Don Poncho represents a fusion of conventional and modern rum-making strategies. Its founder, a grasp rum maker who initially studied and made rum in Cuba, has been devoted to refining the craft for the reason that model’s inception. You’ll run into his identify so much when wanting into rum from Panama: Francisco “Don Poncho” Fernandez.
This model is totally his although and so they’re not messing round with cocktail mixers. The youngest within the line is 8 years outdated and the others are 18 and 30. You may see examples of those souvenir bottles on the very prime. You’ve acquired to like their tagline: “A rum price ready a lifetime for.”
All of them have gained quite a few awards, together with gold on the Worldwide Rum Convention. Reviewers recognize its fragrant profile that will get extra intense because the night time goes on, that includes notes of chocolate, banana, and hints of espresso. The 30-year model is one thing to savor for an important day, See extra right here on the official web site.
Zafra Rum From Las Cabras Distillery
Grasp blender Don Poncho has roamed round and labored with different manufacturers in Panama too. The Zafra Grasp Reserve 21 may simply be the perfect bang for the buck you’ll discover in the entire nation. Apparently what’s inside this bottle truly is 21 years outdated. Many of the others on this checklist use a “solera” mix of a number of years. So in these instances one thing with 21 on the bottle is simply displaying how lengthy the oldest contributor to the mix has been in aged bourbon barrels.
That is complicated and expensive-tasting Spanish-style rum that always retails within the USA for $65 or much less and if yow will discover it on the shelf in Panama Metropolis, the place it’ll be even much less, snag it!
In case you’re shopping for a present for a rum lover, you would step up and get the Zafra 30-year model. Some reviewers suppose that’s manner too lengthy in barrels in such a scorching local weather, versus Guatemala the place barrels are aged within the highlands, so anticipate a heavy oak presence in that one.
If you wish to look sensible, “zafra” is a phrase for sugar cane harvest time, however the origin might be Arabic and advanced over time because it moved from Spain to the brand new world.
Marieleta
Based by “the primary Cuban-American lady founding father of a rum model,” Founder Janet Diaz-Bonilla met Don Poncho, the legend developing but once more, and the 2 collaborated on a brand new model.
Marieleta is thought for its artisanal strategy, specializing in high quality over amount. The model emphasizes small-batch manufacturing, making certain every rum meets excessive requirements. The 18-year model actually is aged 18 years and although it retails for $85, you possibly can usually discover it on sale for much less, a great worth.
As finest I can inform that is the one model out there for now and I look ahead to making an attempt it subsequent time I’m within the nation.
Grander Rum
This one was based by an American from Kentucky and when he began asking round about good rum in Panama, you possibly can guess whose identify got here up by now. So the story repeats itself and Dan DeHart teamed up with Don Poncho, giving this one the stamp of a grasp too.
Grander Rum is in one of the vital spectacular bottles you will see in Panama, so it may very well be a great one to purchase on the responsibility free store within the airport to carry somebody as a present. Additionally they provide a wider vary of selections than most, from a “cane harvest” model with no growing old to “trophy launch” single barrel variations that may be sudden and stuffed with character.
Grander Rum is aged in sherry or bourbon barrels, contributing to its distinctive taste. Totally different variations have garnered scores properly above 90 out of 100 in blind style assessments. This contains the gold-winning 8-year model, which has a listing value of simply $40. See extra right here.
Panama-Pacific Rum
Panama-Pacific Rum is steeped in historical past, paying homage to the 1915 Panama-Pacific Worldwide Exposition. The model focuses on conventional strategies and high-quality components. It’s one other one bucking the opaque “solera” methodology with this assertion: “Panamá-Pacific’s age assertion displays the youngest rum within the mix, not only a portion of it.”
It gives a spread of rums, from a white model to ones aged 5, 9, 15, and 23 years. All of them spend the primary three years in used bourbon barrels. The perfect barrels are cut up off for various growing old lengths in bourbon or Canadian whiskey barrels, whereas the remainder is charcoal filtered for the white model. (So even that one is extra complicated than your typical white rum, making an excellent mojito.)
I’ve solely had this one as soon as, the 12-year I feel, however I keep in mind pondering what was inside was extra spectacular than the packaging. Higher than the reverse!
SelvaRey With a Superstar Endorsement
SelvaRey Rum, co-owned by artist Bruno Mars, stands out for its celeb endorsement and distinctive choices. Based in 2014, the model focuses on premium blends crafted in Panama and a extra fashionable, svelte bottle design than the others.
The Proprietor’s Reserve is a spotlight, that includes rums aged from 15 to 25 years. This rum has acquired prestigious awards, together with gold at varied worldwide competitions.
I haven’t tried this one but however it appears to rise above being simply one other celeb spirit. Blind style take a look at reviewers usually reward its complexity, with wealthy flavors of tropical fruits and an inviting end.
That ought to be sufficient rum to attempt over the course of a number of years, however it’s clear that Panama is gaining floor in providing essentially the most numerous assortment of rum manufacturers in Central America and the Caribbean area, a smoother different to the numerous manufacturers yow will discover on islands like Barbados and Jamica.
How about you? Something you’ve cherished from Panama that we missed in our searches?
