Panama, straddling the narrow land bridge between North and South America, is more than just the home of the iconic Panama Canal. This tropical paradise is a haven for rum lovers, offering a gateway to Latin American rum while remaining one of the industry’s hidden gems. Despite its strategic role as a supplier of tropical-aged rum, Panama boasts a select few distilleries open to curious visitors. Let’s dive into the captivating story of Panamanian rum, its historical roots, and the distilleries crafting some of the finest spirits.
Panama City, the nation’s vibrant capital, presents a compelling blend of modern skyscrapers, tropical rainforests, and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The country’s rum story dates back to the early 16th century when sugarcane arrived from the Caribbean. Initially cultivated along the Pacific coast of Kuna Yala, sugarcane now thrives in Panama’s fertile soils, laying the foundation for its rum-making tradition.
Key historical milestones, including Panama’s independence from Spain in 1821 and its separation from Colombia in 1903, helped shape the nation’s identity—including its rum culture. The traditional fermented cane juice known as guarapo and the locally cherished spirit Seca are emblematic of this heritage.
Grab your Panama hat and join us on a journey across this beautiful country, exploring its distilleries and savoring its world-class rums.
In the highlands of Chiriquí, Panama Craft Spirits has been producing Ron Casa Barú since its establishment in 2017. Founded by Dick Barba after a two-decade career in the spirits industry, this distillery prioritizes artisanal methods. Instead of molasses, they use small-batch copper pot stills and sugarcane syrup sourced from local farmers. The region’s volcanic soil and high-altitude climate provide the perfect conditions for slow rum maturation.
Signature products include a white rum, a five-year-aged rum, and the innovative Double Crop rum, which incorporates coffee cherries from neighboring Boquete. Casa Barú also crafts Xopa, a coffee liqueur featuring locally grown Caturra beans. Visitors can tour the distillery, learn about the production process, and enjoy tastings of their unique rums.
Ron Colibrí, an independent family-run distillery in Boquete, has been crafting artisanal spirits since 2016. The distillery’s founders began their journey in Europe before bringing their expertise to Panama. Using a mix of sugarcane honey, panela, and molasses, they create rums in copper stills and age them in an impressive variety of 50-liter barrels, including Criollo oak, Mango wood, Amazonian amburana, and European chestnut.
Their diverse lineup features creations like Ron Colibrí Criollo, Ron Barba Negra, and Ron Artesanal de Panamá. Each rum showcases distinct characteristics shaped by innovative barrel-aging techniques.
In the heart of Pesé, Hacienda San Isidro—founded in 1908—produces Panama’s most iconic rum, Ron Abuelo. The Varela family transformed their sugarcane estate into a rum-making powerhouse, debuting their first distillation in 1936. Visitors can embark on the Panama Rum Route® tour, which includes a journey through sugarcane fields, a traditional zebu-cart ride, and a visit to the fermentation and aging facilities.
Ron Abuelo’s lineup includes rums aged 5, 7, and 12 years, alongside the premium Centuria, a 30-year solera-aged masterpiece. The estate also produces Seco Herrerano, Panama’s national drink, making this a must-visit destination for rum enthusiasts.
Founded in 2014 by Grammy-winning artist Bruno Mars, SelvaRey translates to “king of the jungle.” This brand offers a curated range of tropical-inspired rums, including SelvaRey White, Chocolate Rum, and Coconut Rum. Each expression combines smooth aging with unique infusions, like natural chocolate and coconut essence. While SelvaRey’s distillery isn’t open to visitors, their spirits are perfect for cocktails or sipping neat.
Located in the dry arc of Azuero Peninsula, Las Cabras Distillery has a storied history. Originally a sugar mill built in 1919, it was transformed into a rum distillery by Don Francisco “Don Pancho” Fernandez in the 1990s. Don Pancho’s extensive expertise as Havana Club’s former master blender shapes the rums produced here, including Zafra Master Reserve and Debonaire Rum. While the distillery itself doesn’t offer tours, its influence on the global rum industry is undeniable.
As Panama’s first artisanal rum distillery, Pedro Mandinga combines history and innovation. Inspired by a 16th-century leader of freed slaves, this Panama City distillery produces small-batch rums using raspadura—unrefined sugarcane juice—from family farms in Chiriquí. Highlights include the Pedro Mandinga Raspadura, Geisha Coffee Liqueur, and Cacao Liqueur. Visitors can enjoy these creations at the Pedro Mandinga Rum Bar in Casco Viejo, where Latin-inspired plates complement the flavorful rums.
Founded in 2020, Castelauro Beverage Factory is a boutique distillery that crafts Ron El Galante Salgado. This unique rum features a saline twist, inspired by the maritime adventures of Spanish sailors. Using a blend of molasses and cane juice, the distillery produces small batches for local markets. Visits are available by appointment for those seeking a deeper understanding of this coastal-inspired spirit.
From bustling Panama City to serene beachside getaways, Panama offers countless venues to sip its world-class rums.
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This article was based on The Rum Geography’s Rum Guide to Panama.
The image of the article is courtesy of © Veeterzy via Canva.com
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