Grandfather

The history of Ron Abuelo

Ron Abuelo, meaning Grandfather's rum, is a molasses-based rum from Panama, specifically Pesé in the Herrera province. With the Pacific Ocean to the north and a unique maritime microclimate featuring tropical downpours and a stable temperature between 25-32 degrees Celsius, Pesé is perfect for cultivating sugarcane. Here, in 1908, the Spanish immigrant Don José Varela Blanco founded the San Isidro sugar mill, and in 1936, his sons convinced him to start distilling rum from the sugar mill's own molasses. The Varela Hermanos SA sugar mill and distillery is still family-run by the 3rd generation and is one of the few distilleries that produces rum from molasses from its own sugarcane.

Distillation and aging of Abuelo rum

At Ron Abuelo, the molasses is fermented with a special yeast and then distilled in a column still. Some Abuelo rums are aged using the solera method, where rum reserves aged between 12 and 40 years are blended. The highly esteemed Ron Abuelo Centuria Reserva de la Familia is a solera rum with up to 30-year-old rum in the blend. Ron Abuelo has also created rums with various finishes – for example, Abuelo 15 Year Napoleon Cognac Cask Finish, Abuelo 15 Year Oloroso Sherry Cask Finishand Abuelo 15 Year Tawny Port Cask Finish.

Ron Abuelo is Panama's largest rum producer, holding over 90% of the domestic market. In 2001, Abuelo entered the global market and is now available in more than 40 countries. Other exciting rums from Panama include Autentico Nativo, created by the Cuban rum legend Don Pancho Fernandez, and Ron Malteco, produced by the team behind the popular Ron Zacapa.