Flor de Cana – Corinto, Nicaragua

When we visited Corinto, we went on an excursion to a rum distillery.  Now, I did this mainly for Jeff, as he likes rum.  I, however, had never tasted a rum that I cared for.  I told him I’d be a good participant and try some (the tour came with a tasting), but I was certain he would end up finishing my tasting.

Distillery Logo

This distillery is family owned and has been in operation since 1890.  It has been passed down thru the generations, and is still going strong.  They pride themselves on the aging of their rums.

Museum and Shop

This only looks like an oddly shaped barrel.  It’s really a small museum, with a few antiques from the founder of the distillery and a souvenir type shop, where, in addition to t-shirts and dresses, one can also buy some of their rum (what a coincidence!).  Also, in an upper loft, one can pay for a tasting of some rum that is aged 25 years – it’s a bargain at about $160/bottle! (Or so they say!)

Not Water Tanks

These may look like water tanks, but they’re not.  We weren’t clear exactly what’s in it – except that it’s rum in some stage of being processed from sugar cane liquid or a type of molasses.  The molasses ends up getting distilled, and then the rum that results from that is aged. 

Reconstructing Used Barrels

When the rum is ready to begin the aging process, the Flor de Cana rum distillery has found that old Jack Daniels barrels make an excellent vessel for aging their rum.  They import used barrels from Jack Daniels – the barrels that are used for bourbon.  They only use those, as they give their rum a distinctive taste that Flor de Cana is known for.

Where Rum is Aged

Flor de Cana prides itself on its aged rum.  The “youngest” rum that will carry the Flor de Cana name has been aged 4 years.  However, the also have rum that has been aged 12, 18 and 25 years.  The longer its aged, the smoother it tastes, and more expensive it costs!  We were taken into this building where some rum that has been aged 30 years was kept.  This is not sold, and is generally only used by the family (to serve on special occasions or for very good friends), but we were all allowed a very small sip – yow!  It was mighty powerful! I did enjoy the whimsical shape of the door, too!

Served on Old Rum Barrels

When we were being served our first tasting, we were shown into a room with some great atmosphere, which was aided by the use of old rum barrels as tasting tables!  They served the rum tasting in some nice sipping glasses, and we were only given straight rum.  This was the rum that has been aged 18 years.  I was hesitant, but I said I’d try it, so I did.  And, guess what?  I don’t dislike rum – however, I only like expensive rum!

Tasty!

Yep, Jeff enjoyed all the tastings – the 12 year rum, the 18 year rum, the 30 year rum and when we got to the museum/shop, we did go up to the loft and sampled the 25 year old rum!  Needless to say, we were pretty happy returning to the ship!

Enjoy!