Interview with Ricardo March – Varela Imports – VP of Sales / Ron Abuelo
Varela Imports – VP of Sales / Ron Abuelo
1) Who is Ricardo March?
Ricardo has been in the wine and spirits industry for 20 years. Traveling in the international market and domestic for the past 15 years and establishing Ron Abuelo operation in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.
Making Abuelo known in the United States with very limited resources.
3) What made you fall in love with rum and when did it happen?
Rum is the only product that I believe you can really enjoy in a hot summer day in the middle of the Caribbean on July or in a beautiful snowing night in winter in New York.
4) What is that thing that makes you want to continue in the rum industry?
The fact that finally people are discovering the rum can be a sophisticated as a single malt and as flexible for cocktails.
5) Favorite Rum Drink + Recipe?
Dirty Mojito: is a mojito with Abuelo 7 Years. They created this dark colored into the glass with amazing structure.
6) Where do you see the rum industry today and in the next 5 years?
We will continue to have many brands coming every day. The aged category continue to grow, but the only ones that are going to be able to succeed are that ones that has history and craft in the elaboration of their products; without falling in anyone, just creating their own path.
7) Share some (2-3) of your mentors and how they have help you.
Pancho, who was our Master Distiller for over 30 years, at Varela Hermanos SA Luis Varela for his passion to perfection might take two years to come out with a product, but at the end the final product is amazing and that is when you understand sometimes is good to wait.
8) What 3-5 things do you have in your bucket list for the next 12 months?
California, Texas and Chicago should be an amazing opportunities for us, but unfortunately we have not been able to conquer. Those are my 3 next projects.
9) Any last words?
None
Ron Abuelo website: www.ronabuelopanama.com
