AREHUCAS RUM: A JOURNEY BETWEEN FLAVORS, TRADITION, AND CANARY MAGIC

The sun shines on Finca Las Vegas in Arucas, and the sugarcane fields sway to the rhythm of the trade winds. Here begins the harvest, the most anticipated moment of the year at Destilerías Arehucas. With sharp machetes and expert hands, the farmers harvest the cane with the same care with which, months later, Arehucas rum will conquer palates worldwide.

But this rum journey doesn’t just begin in the fertile soil of Gran Canaria. It begins in the heart of a warm and welcoming town, in the laughter of its people, in the breeze that caresses its golden beaches, and in the enchanting landscapes that make the Canary Islands a unique destination. More than a distillery, Arehucas symbolizes this vibrant land, where tradition and modernity intertwine to create an unparalleled rum.

A distillery with a Canarian soul

If there’s one thing that defines Arehucas, besides its unmistakable flavor, it’s its connection to the land and its people. This year, the distillery celebrates a historic milestone: the certification as an organic operator for its sugarcane plantation, guaranteeing crops free of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Furthermore, its commitment to sustainability translates into a zero-waste model, in which every part of the cane has a purpose: milling waste feeds local livestock, water from the distillation process is reused to cool the tanks, and the stillage becomes a natural fertilizer.

Arehucas is the only major rum on the Spanish market with its plantation in Spain, allowing for control of the entire process and ensuring exceptional quality. Its secret lies in its purity: it does not use molasses but sugarcane juice, which results in a smoother rum with fresh and fruity notes. Among its most emblematic rums are Ron Arehucas Carta Oro, the distinguished Ron Arehucas Añejo Selección Familiar 18 años, and the exclusive Ron Capitán Kidd, aged with care for the most demanding palates.

From sugarcane to glass.

The journey of Arehucas rum is a meticulous process where tradition, patience, and precision combine to create an exceptional distillate. From harvest to extraction, sugarcane is cut and pressed to extract its fresh juice, which defines its quality. This golden liquid then enters the fermentation phase, transforming into a sugar-rich must that is prepared for distillation.

The next step is distillation in copper columns, where a pure and aromatic spirit is obtained, the base that will give life to every drop of Arehucas rum. But its true character develops over time, during the aging process in oak barrels. For years, the rum rests in silence, absorbing the nuances of the wood and acquiring its unmistakable flavor profile.

Finally, the blending and bottling stage arrives, where the master rum makers carefully select the best batches to achieve balanced and complex rums. Each bottle of Arehucas is the result of this perfect alchemy, where experience and time transform the cane into a true liquid jewel.

A visit with history, flavors, and aging

Entering the Arehucas Distillery is like traveling back in time. Its facilities combine respect for tradition with the latest technology to ensure excellence in every bottle. One of its greatest treasures is its aging cellar, the largest of its kind in Europe, with more than 4,300 American oak barrels where the rum rests silently, absorbing nuances from the wood and developing its unique character. Many of these barrels bear the signatures of prominent figures who have visited the distillery, making them witnesses to the history of Arehucas.

The distillery also houses a museum that allows visitors to learn about the evolution of rum over the years, with original bottles, historic photographs, and documents that chronicle the brand’s legacy.

The tour, which lasts approximately one hour, covers the distillery’s origins through to its final bottling. But the real spectacle is the tasting, where visitors can sample some of the house’s most iconic rums and liqueurs. And the best part: no reservation is required. Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (except holidays), the doors are open to anyone who wants to experience the soul of Arehucas firsthand.

The Best Time for an Arehucas Experience

Every year, March marks the beginning of a special event in Gran Canaria: the sugarcane harvest. It’s the moment when the fields come alive and the Arehucas rum-making process begins its magical journey, from the land to the glass.

In 2025, the harvest coincided with another great celebration: Carnival, an explosion of music, color, and joy, where more than 100 decorated floats and cars paraded through the streets in an unparalleled celebration.

Among the attendees, the Rum Lab team, Women Leading Rum, and Rare Spirits Society stood out, actively participating in the Arehucas Rum parade with an impressive Olympic-themed float featuring Greek gods. The float was a true ode to the grandeur and festive spirit that define both Carnival and the world of rum.

With the rhythm of the comparsas, the joy of the costumes, and the unmistakable flavor of Arehucas, this experience left an indelible mark on everyone present. Tradition, culture, and good rum are inextricably linked in the Canary Islands. Let the party continue!

Special thanks to Octavio Marrero, Commercial Director of Spirits at Destilerías Arehucas; Priscila García, Export Manager at Ron Arehucas; Oscar La Fuente, Global Ambassador of Destilerías Arehucas; and the entire Ron Arehucas team for making this trip possible.

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