Puerto Rican Rum Recommendations?

[Bolivar Petit Corona]

I've some friends traveling to PR soon, and have offer to bring back rum

OK, I do like Bacardi Anejo, but not other Bacardi products I've tried.

My favorite now is a Havana Club Anejo, any recommendations???  Thank you.

[Jason Perlow]

Ron Del Barrelito 3 Star and 2 star. Clearly the best native Puerto Rican rums you are going to find there.

[Bolivar Petit Corona]

Thanks, Jason!  Any comments on it's flavour, aroma, et c?  Anyone else have some recommendations?

(Edited by Bolivar Petit Corona at 11:31 am on Jan. 7, 2002)

[Jason Perlow]

Ed has commented on Barrelito elsewhere in this forum.

Barrelito is a very smooth, non-aggressive and non-smoky rum. Its one of Ed's favorites. Its made by the smallest distiller on the island. Ed prefers the 2 star while I prefer the 3, but both are excellent.

the 3 star is a blend of rums that is 6-12 years old and the 2 star is a blend of 2 to 4.

[Miguel Gierbolini]

Not to be picky, but the name of the rum is "Ron del Barrilito."  It has a top-notch reputation.  I think that the most popular rum in Puerto Rico is Don Q Crystal.  Purists seem to prefer Don Q Oro (Gold).  If you have not tried either you should have your friend pick a bottle of each.  (about ů or Ű each)

Most people here won't go near Bacardi or Captain Morgan's.

[Bolivar Petit Corona]

Thanks, fellows, anyone else?

[Damian]

I lived in San Juan for two years from '97 to '99.  You've got the best of the bunch already recommended to you.  Don Q Cristal (with an "i" not a "y" not be picky :)) is the what the natives drink for light rum and with good reason.  It is a great mixer for classic cuba libres and mojitos cubanos.  The Serralles distillery that makes it is a distant second player to Bacardi, but far and away the local favorite.  

Barrilito is absolutely the stuff for dark rum.  Great sipping just on ice.  Incredibly smooth with a honey sweetness and a hint of nutmeg, cinnamon spice in the finish.  3 star is far and away my favorite, I've got two bottles in my cabinet right now.  You should tell your friends to get a tour of the distillery while you are there, it is tiny and run by only a couple of people, much better than the Bacardi tour which is more popular with tourists.  Incidentally, I believe the Barrilito distillery is now owned by the Bacardi family empire (I could be wrong), but they have done nothing to change its handcrafted, small batch product.  This will make you forget Ron del Bacardi Anejo.  Cheers!

[Damian]

Miguel, are you related to Juez Gilberto Gierbolini?

[Miguel Gierbolini]

Damian, thanks for the correction.

Judge Gilberto Gierbolini is my father's cousin.  Did you clerk for him?

[Damian]

I clerked for Judge Laffitte but met Judge Gierbolini on several occasions, a very elegant gentleman.

[Bolivar Petit Corona]

Thanks for all the help.  This has been very interesting.  It's not very hard to make me forget Ron Bacardi Anejo.

BUT, will it make me forget Ron Havana Club Anejo?

[Ed Hamilton]

Barrilito is certainly worth looking for the the operation shouldn't be missed but it should be pointed out that this isn't a distillery, they buy alcohol from Bacardi and then blend and age their rums at their facility. One of the secrets of the success of both of these blends is that the rum is blended and then aged at very near the bottled strength so the taste and flavor isn't diluted prior to bottling.

As for other PR rums a bottle of Palo Viejo is also a standard among local rum drinkers. A light, clean, clear rum.