Beverage of the Week (B.O.W)

The wonderfully charming and complex Rums from Ron Abuelo prove that there are two kinds of Spirits drinkers: those who love aged Rum and those who have yet be introduced to great aged Rum.

Varela Hermanos, the family owned and run drinks company that makes Ron Abuelo, has been distilling in Panama since 1936. For decades Ron Abuelo has provided quality aged Rums for a wide range of well-respected international brands. Today the focus is finally on selling these great mature Rums under the Ron Abuelo flag. The incredible stock of mature Rum held by Ron Abuelo is the brand's secret weapon.

Varela Hermanos is able to carefully maintain their high quality standards. They grow their own sugarcane on land that they own. They distill their own Spirit and they age it all at their estate. Their Rums are a true “single estate” product with every detail managed by Varela Hermanos.



The Rums are created by carefully blending two styles of Rum produced at the distillery. The first is a light and clean Rum, distilled to a higher proof, while the second, distilled to a lower proof, base Rum is extremely aromatic with bold, wild, and exotic flavors to match. By marrying these two Rums, Ron Abuelo is able to create Rum that has both depth and drinkability.

The Ron Abuelo portfolio comprises four aged Rums: Añejo, 7 year-old, 12 year-old, and Centuria their latest addition, a 30 year-old Rum that is and always will be their highest mark.

The 7 year-old exhibits many of the same attributes found in the Añejo, dried fruits, toasted coconut, brown sugar, sandalwood, with greater depth and even more layers of fruit, spice, and wood. It is terrific in cocktails but we prefer to sip it straight. The only issue with this Rum is that it goes down a bit too easy.