Rum Connoisseur
Interview of The Week

CARMEN BASTIDAS

Master Blender Destilería Carúpano (Venezuela)

1. Who is Carmen López de Bastidas?

Carmen is the Master Blender at Destilería Carúpano in Venezuela. She has been working in the Rum Industry for the past 28 years. She is married, has three children and three grandchildren. She is a passionate woman for her work and she really wants to continue working in this rum industry.

2. Biggest achievement you personally feel you have accomplish for the rum industry.

I think that the achievement that has given me the greatest satisfaction is to have designed the formulas of the rums, which have being recognized worldwide. Our rums have reached a place of honor, being deserving of the medals we have won, such as the Grand Gold Medal at the Brussels World Competition 2018. I have been recognized with the title of Master Blender, being the only woman with this title in Venezuela and one of the four women around the world.

3. What made you fall in love with rum and when did it happen?

I started working at Destilería Carúpano in the Quality Control Department on 1990. I already had experience in the laboratory area. I fell in love with the exquisite aroma of that golden waterfall, when the rum comes out and when the barrels are emptied. It is a perfume that makes me fall in love more every day. I have learned to know in depth the evolution of the aging process until reaching a rum of excellent quality. This wonderful process became for me a true passion.

4. What is that thing that makes you want to continue in the rum industry?

There are many reasons for me to continue in this industry, for example, there is great pride and satisfaction when making high quality rums and this motivates me to continue making a good rum. Destilería Carúpano has also been my home, my school, my temple and I want to continue contributing my knowledge to maintain the tradition of more than 250 years of Ron Carúpano.

5. Favourite Drink + Recipe

Although I don’t usually consume alcoholic beverages, I like a good rum and good wine.

6. Where do you see the rum industry today and in the next 5 years?

I currently see the rum industry growing globally. Many countries that have not been known as rum producers are now joining this industry and the consumption of rum around the world is growing. In 5 years, I can visualize a globalized industry. For this reason in Venezuela, we are obliged to keep our industry focused on excellence and strengthening the quality of our rums.

7. What do you think needs to happen to grow the premium category of rum?

I think that new concepts of rum should be created, maintain a quality with excellence and respect the tradition that has characterized the Venezuelan rum.

8. Which rum would you recommend a person that:

• Sipping a premium rum for the 1st time: Ron Carúpano 21 and Ron Carúpano 12
• Likes Scotch Whisky: Ron Carúpano Zafra 1991.

9. Share some (2-3) of your mentors and how they have help you.

I received a job offer at Destilería Carúpano on January 1990 and Giancarlos Mazzocchi, Chemical Engineer who worked as Quality Control Manager for 30 years in Industrias Pampero, evaluated me in the first interview. He became my advisor for 6 months and from there, I continued my journey of learning, assuming the responsibility of designing formulas such as Ron Carúpano 21 and Ron Carúpano Legendario. My second mentor was Engineer Gilberto Briceño. He worked for the French producer of wines and spirits Pernod Ricard. He had a career in Quality Control, which enriched my knowledge.

10. What 3-5 things do you have in your bucket list for the next 12 month?

I would like to see the growth of the internationalization of our rums and maintain our presence in international competitions.

11. How can people learn more about you? Website? Social Media Page

IG @carmenlopezbas

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