Ron Abuelo 12 Year Old Rum

Ron Abuelo 12YO Panamanian Rum is a proud, top-shelf fit for any liquor cabinet.


The history of Varela Hermanos Distillery dates back to 1908 when Don José Varela Blanco, a young Spanish immigrant, established the first sugar mill in the little town of Pesé where most of its 10,000 citizens cultivate and grow sugarcane. In 1936, Don José's three sons convinced him to start distillation and voilà — the birth of Ron Abuelo Rum.

In Central America, the word “Ron” means Rum. “Ron Abuelo” roughly translates as “Rum of our Grandfather”. There is no official designation for Rums like this, but since Ron Abuelo controls every aspect of production — from growing their own cane through bottling — you could call it an Estate Rum. They are still independent and produce a range of 4 delicious lawless Spirits.

When most of us think of Rum, we imagine pirates in swarthy costumes gulping a jug before pillaging a coastal town. Rum came a long way since those days. When Rum aficionados talk about Ron Abuelo 12 words like “elegant, refined, and complex” are used. There's nothing wrong with downing Rum shooters from neon-colored glass tubes (we decided to be non-judgemental... today only), just as long as you don't use Ron Abuelo ( ...but we have our limits). In short, Ron Abuelo 12YO is a proud, top-shelf fit for any liquor cabinet.

Here's the real kick: the Rum is aged like a fine Whisk(e)y — in ex-Bourbon barrels. And since Spirits age faster in warm weather, this stuff tastes WAY smooth and has that distinctive smoky-vanilla character to prove it. And because it is, well, a molasses-based Rum it also boasts rich, complex, and even floral notes.

Awards
- Gold at the 2009 Ministry of Rum Tasting Competition.