Rogue Five: A Ron Colón Story

The saga of Ron Colón Salvadoreño is one of revolution, ignited in 2018 by Thurman Wise and Pepijn Janssens. United by a fervent desire to disrupt the rum category, they journeyed to El Salvador, sparking a mini rum-olution. Their mission: blend diverse flavors, traditions, and processes into a groundbreaking spirit, connecting continents and histories in each bottle.

Ron Colón Dark Aged Rum is the embodiment of this mission—a harmonious blend of a 6YO Salvadoran rum with the bold and vibrant character of unaged and 3YO Jamaican pot-distilled rums, resulting in a creamy masterpiece of balance and warmth, winning multiple awards.

Ron Colón Coffee Infused Rum Green Label ventures further, merging select molasses rums with the rich essence of Bourbon Arabica coffee beans, aged in ex-bourbon casks. This blend showcases the creators' innovation, offering a sipping experience that captivates with its nuanced harmony between rum and coffee.

Adventure takes a fruity turn with Ron Colón Red Banana Oleo Rum, inspired by the lush red banana trees of El Salvador. This unique blend combines dark aged rum with maceration and distillate of dried bananas and fresh banana peels, creating an exotic, flavorful rum that redefines cocktail hour.

Ron Colón RumRye is a daring alliance between rum and rye whiskey, blending 50% Ron Colon Salvadoreño Dark Aged Rum with 50% American Straight Rye Whiskey. This hybrid spirit, boasting a robust 50% ABV, challenges preconceptions, offering a complex, invigorating taste profile.

Lastly, Ron Colón Rumzcal bridges the gap between the rich dark aged rum and the smoky Mexican mezcal. At 99 proof, this adventurous blend is both bold and balanced, offering a smoky, earthy aroma that gives way to a palate rich with smoke, char, and hints of tropical fruit.

Ron Colón is a manifesto of rebellion against the predictable, an invitation to join a movement that values innovation, diversity, and exploration. Venture beyond the familiar and embrace the extraordinary!

Smartass Corner:

1) Rum has functioned as a form of currency since around 1790. Similar to other goods like tobacco, merchants used rum as a valuable exchange medium. Unlike sugar, rum could be stored for extended periods, with its value increasing as it aged.

2) Ron Colón bottle labels pay tribute to the old “Colónes” banknotes and currency, featuring a unique coin in the cap that can be collected. In 1892, President Carlos Ezeta's government renamed the Salvadoran peso to “Colón” in honor of Christopher Columbus. The Colón was used until 2001 when it was replaced by the U.S. Dollar. 

3) Coffee in El Salvador has become the country's top export since its introduction in the 1880s. Flourishing on volcanic mountainsides, El Salvador offers the perfect high altitudes and warm climate for coffee plants to thrive in. 

4) The Royal family of France during the colonial era were The Bourbons. That’s why there is Bourbon Vanilla, Bourbon Street in New Orleans, and even Bourbon Whiskey. "Bourbon Coffee" is one of the two main cultivars of Arabica coffee beans. It originated in Yemen but was originally commercialized on Reunion Island — a French Colony.

5) Ron Colón ambassador Steph DiCamillo achieved global success with a cocktail featuring Ron Colón Dark Aged Rum, homemade banana oleo saccharum, chocolate, and tiki bitters. Eric van Beeck and Danil Nevsky shared the recipe for a delicious banana oleo syrup, resulting in the birth of Ron Colón Red Banana Oleo Rum.

6) Rum is why we measure alcohol proof. To make sure rum wasn’t watered down, it had to be ‘proven’ by soaking gunpowder with it. If it was ‘overproof,’ (higher than 57.15 % vol.), then the gunpowder would ignite, but if it wouldn’t, it was ‘underproof.’

7) Rum cocktails have a storied past, originally crafted by sailors mixing rum with water, sugar, and lime to create the first 'grog'.

8) The 'Rumgria' trend: Winemakers blend rum with red wine, creating a fortified drink that's fruity, spicy, and perfect for sipping.