Behind the Scenes at Bacardi Rum!
Behind the Scenes at Bacardi Rum!
Bacardi Bus
Bacardi may be the best-known/well-known brand of Rum in the world. Many of us recognize the Bacardi logo. Some may even know a few Bacardi recipes. Recently, on a trip to San Juan, I took the Bacardi Rum Distillery Historic Tour. The tour was about an hour and I gained a great deal of knowledge about rum, the Bacardi company and why Bacardi Rum is different. In Puerto Rico, Bacardi offers 3 different tours. A Historical Tour, a Rum Tasting Tour and Mixology Tour. All of the tours do come with complimentary drinks. We choose the Historical Tour.
Complementary Drink!
Great Visuals
Bacardi Visitors Center
The Historical tour is a good visual tour with lots of colors. We began by riding the Bacardi decorated tram. The tram took us passed the Operations Building with the Bacardi name carved on the front of it. We drove past the distillery and packaging plant as well. Next, we went inside the visitor’s center and learned about the Bacardi brand and logo. The lobby is a bright yellow room designed like a courtyard with the Bacardi Fruit Bat in the middle. The Guide explained the importance of sugar cane and how and where they get it today since the island of Puerto Rico no longer produces the critical ingredient.
Sugarcane
The History
Bacardi History
The Visitor’s Center also has a theater where we watched a short film on the fascinating history of the Bacardi company and how it got to Puerto Rico. We learned how the Rum is made and how the Bacardi process is different. After the film, we took a walk back through time and witnessed a replica of the original factory complete with real oak barrels as original bottles, antique desks and original packaging. We got to touch sugarcane, and charcoal and other items used to make the Bacardi rum. Finally, we had the chance to smell each of the types of Bacardi rums. Each has a distinctly different smell.
Charcoal
The Bacardi Bar
The Bacardi Bar
The last stop of the educational part of the tour was the bar. Displayed on top of the bar were the Bacardi Products including other brands that are bottled by Bacardi. Those brands include Grey Goose Vodka. The Guide is also a bartender and demonstrates the proper way to make a Mojito. Then explains how the Cuba Libre recipe calls for “Bacardi Rum” and Coke-a-Cola. Whereas a Rum and Coke can be made with any type of rum and any cola. Our Guide/Bartender talked about each of the Bacardi Rums and suggested the preferred way to use them. Which Rums to use as mixers. Which Rums to drink straight. Even the rums that are dessert rum.
Nikki with Pound Cake, Vanilla Ice Cream topped with Bacardi 8 and Whip Cream!
Connecting with Bacardi
Packaged Bacardi
Our group had fun. We thought it was a friendly atmosphere. Our Guide was knowledgeable and answered everyone’s questions. We really enjoyed the hands-on experience. It was nice to get to see, touch and smell the different items used in making Rum. The final stop was the gift shop. The gift shop was full of Bacardi branded items including bar accessories. Everything from shot glasses and pitchers to muddlers and aprons. They even had Bacardi branded dominos. Of course, the biggest selling item is the Bacardi Rum.
Bacardi’s top sellers!
Bacardi may be the best-known brand of Rum in the world. Many of us recognize the Bacardi logo. Some may even know a few Bacardi recipes. If you are ever in Puerto Rico I strongly recommend that you visit the Bacardi Rum Distillery and take at least 1 of the tours. Nikki and I enjoyed ourselves. We enjoyed the entertainment, the history, and the rum.
Contact and Important information for Bacardi
Bacardi sign
Bacardi Rum Distillery
Carr. 165 Km. 6.2, Cataño, Puerto Rico
787-788-8400
Bacardi Offices
The Historical Tour is only $15 and you get a Bacardi drink. Other tours are more expensive and are longer. The Rum Tasting Tour is $49.99. While the Mixology Tour is $59.99. You can buy tickets online or at the door. Kids under 18 are free and allowed on the “historical” Tour, but only 18 years and up are allowed on the other tours.
The tours are available 7 days/week — Mon – Sat from 9:00am – 4:30pm (last tour 4:00pm) and Sun 10:00am – 4:30pm (last tour 3:45pm). *Check the website for actual times and holiday schedule.
Read Puerto Rico, a Tropical Caribbean Escape!– related article
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Bill Collins
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