Don Papa Rye Aged Cask Rum

A Southeast Asian Rum aged in Rye Whisky casks for a fruity, spicy dram.

Don Papa refers to Dionisio Magbuelas, or Papa Isio for short. Living during the second half of the 1800’s Papa Isio was a "Babaylan" — a healer or shaman in the local Filipino dialect — who was instrumental in the Philippine Revolution. Since the company was named after him, it will not be surprising that Don Papa Rums are made in the Philippines, or, more specifically, the island of Negros Occidental. This island has always been the sugar-cane capital of the region, and where you find sugar cane you find Rum production. Don Papa Rums are sold and distributed through their Bleeding Heart Rum Company subsidiary.

Don Papa Rums have been coming on strong — finally getting the recognition in the West that they deserve. Don Papa Rye Aged Cask Rum is the signature Don Papa Spirit, but this time it’s been aged for four years in Rye Whiskey casks. So what we have here is a well-executed Rum aged in the warm tropics of Southeast Asia among the foothills of Mount Kanlaon. What it means is that the Spirit and barrels are squeezed by the sun — maturing the Rum fast. And those Rye Whiskey casks exert influence on the dram, building spice and toffee notes upon tropical notes.