Oak barrels aging the rum

The worlds best rums are made in Puerto Rico. Some people would like to argue with that. Specially if they are from any of our neighboring Caribbean islands. But sadly for them, they are not the one writing this blog…sooo Puerto Rico’s rums are the best. Period.

This is going to be an anecdote about trying to find a good rum, in Old San Juan. Not that it’s hard to find, or there’s a drought going on. With all the bars in this small city, I’m amazed they can all stay in business! I guess it’s a testament to their quality and our genetic love for sweet, sweet alcohol. And that is the problem. There are so many good bars that serve the same kinds of rum, that finding something original can not only take a big deal of time, but also make you feel like you have discovered a new continent.

The blending tank

About two years ago, I was wondering aimlessly through OSJ, when I had a revelation: I found an extra 20$ in my pants! So I started thinking about getting a drink to battle the heat, and something strange happened…my cravings were not for beer. I felt like I needed a strong drink. To hell with cooling down, let me enjoy the heat!

I happened to walk past Don Collins in Cristo street, where a friend of mine was working at the time. I saw him and we struck up a conversation. I wanted to know if he could recommend me a good rum bar near the area. He looked at me and almost slapped my head. “Are you kidding me? Your going to spend money in a bar for a rum you can buy in a supermarket?” I was speechless. My first thought was to kick his butt for scolding me in public. But just when I was about to, he put an arm on my shoulder and directed me inside Don Collins.

The Masterpiece

“You will not find this rum in these bars, very few have it.”- he said as he pulled open a fine wooden shelf and handed me a shot glass.

From the shelf he pulled out a slim bottle of brown liquor, as he opened it the aroma from inside escaped and filled my nostrils. The scent of oak overpowered my senses, I instantly knew it was rum. My first instinct was to down the shotglass, and as I readied my arm my friend stopped me. “This is a sipping rum dude, don’t shoot it, enjoy it.”

So I did just that. I took a small sip and was instantly blown away, the taste was powerful yet smooth. I could see why this rum was in a smoke shop, it’s the perfect companion to a cigar, and actually helps improve the taste of the tobacco. I even saw some patrons in the store dipping the tips of their cigars in the rum. “We have regulars that come just to get the rum, but they take a few cigars with them, because temptation is just too great.”

He was right. Temptation was too great. So I spent my  20$ in a bottle of Barrilito, and I spent the rest of the day lounging in my house trying to remember where those twenty dollars came from.

*all pictures taken from http://www.refinedvices.com/ron-del-barrilito-tour