Rum Guide to Spain: Five Destinations You Must Visit
When people mention Spanish rum, or “Ron” in Spanish, they’re usually referring to rum from Latin American and Caribbean countries. However, in this guide, we’re focusing on Ron España—rum made in Spain, the largest country in Southern Europe.
Located on the Iberian Peninsula, Spain shares borders with Portugal and France. The Pyrenees Mountains create a natural northern border, while the Sierra Nevada peaks in the south. Spain’s diverse climates include Mediterranean conditions along the coasts and more continental weather inland, making it an ideal region for rum production.
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A Historical Overview of Spain’s Rum Influence
Spain’s rum history dates back to Andalusia’s sugar industry, which began in the 10th century. Sugar production thrived on the western coast of Málaga and Costa Tropical in Granada. Spain’s strategic position, with access to both the Atlantic and Mediterranean, significantly influenced colonial trade. Voyages of discovery, like those led by Christopher Columbus, departed from Cádiz, creating a lasting connection with the New World.
Jerez, famous for its sherry and brandy, pioneered the Solera system of blending and aging rum in the late 18th century. This fractional blending method, known as “Criaderas y Soleras,” is still used across Latin America today. Spanish settlers introduced sugarcane from Andalusia to the Canary Islands and then to the Caribbean, spreading their rum-making techniques throughout Latin America.
Spain’s Impact on Global Rum
The Spanish influence on rum-making stretches across Latin America and even as far as the Philippines. Many iconic rum brands, like Bacardi, originated from Spanish families who migrated to the Caribbean. Even today, Spain plays a role in aging tropical rum, with producers blending and maturing rum in Spanish climates.
Now, let’s explore the top rum producers in Spain.
Destilerías Arehucas (Gran Canaria)
Located west of Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Destilerías Arehucas has been crafting rum since 1884, originally under the name Fábrica San Pedro. Initially focused on sugar production, the distillery shifted its focus to rum in 1935. The rum, originally called Ron de Arucas, was later renamed Ron Arehucas, reflecting the region’s pre-Hispanic heritage.
Arehucas offers a range of rums, including Ron Arehucas Carta Oro, made from fresh sugarcane juice and aged for one year, and Ron Añejo Selección Familiar, aged for up to 18 years. Limited editions like Ron Capitán Kidd, with barrels aging since 1983, offer unique flavors. You can book a tour to explore the distillery’s rich history and sample their offerings.
Destilerías Acha (Amurrio, Bilbao)
A 30-minute drive from Bilbao, Destilerías Acha has a fascinating history tied to Cuban rum-making. Juan José Acha, the founder, learned the craft in Cuba before bringing it back to Spain in 1895. His rum, Ron La Morita, became one of the oldest registered rum brands in Europe.
Today, the distillery offers a variety of rums, including Ron Blanco, Ron Añejo, and Ron Viejo, aged for a minimum of three years. Their special blend, 15 Años Reserva de la Familia, includes rums from around the world, aged for at least 15 years. Visiting the distillery offers a glimpse into its legacy and a chance to taste their products.
Destilería de Madrid (Madrid)
Destilería de Madrid, the first craft distillery in Spain, began producing rum in 2016. Their Ron Mentidero Solera 12 Años is a standout, featuring a blend of rums from Panama and the Dominican Republic. These rums are aged for 10 years in American oak barrels and then finished in Spanish ex-Pedro Ximénez barrels.
Although the distillery is currently closed for renovations, it will reopen in January 2025. In the meantime, you can find their rum in Madrid’s top bars or purchase it online.
Bodegas Williams & Humbert (Jerez)
Famous for its Dos Maderas rum, Bodegas Williams & Humbert combines traditional rum-making techniques with Spanish craftsmanship. Their rums, made from molasses and distilled in Barbados and Guyana, are aged in Bourbon casks before being shipped to Jerez for further maturation.
The Dos Maderas range includes 5+3, which ages for five years in ex-Bourbon casks before being transferred to sherry barrels for another three years. You can visit the bodega to learn about the aging process and sample their diverse range of rums.
Sánchez Romate (Jerez)
Founded in 1781, Sánchez Romate produces Ron Ingenio Manacas, a rum with deep historical ties to Cuba. After the Cuban Revolution, the foreman of their Jerez cellar repatriated barrels of rum, creating a unique blend of Caribbean and Spanish influences.
Today, Ron Ingenio Manacas is a blend of rums from Venezuela, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, aged for five years in the Caribbean and then three more years in Jerez. A visit to their winery offers an opportunity to taste this extraordinary rum alongside their famous sherries.
Source of information
This article was based on The Rum Geography’s Rum Guide to Spain.
The image of the article is courtesy of Kasto on Canva
