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Rum Guide to Spain

Rum in the Iberian Peninsula

Spanish rum, known as Ron in Spanish, is often used to describe rum from Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. However, this guide focuses specifically on Ron España, rum made in the largest country in Southern Europe.

Spain on the Iberian Peninsula shares borders with Portugal to the west and France to the northeast. The Pyrenees Mountains form a natural barrier to the north, giving way to the Sierra Nevada in the south, continental Spain’s highest point. The country enjoys a Mediterranean climate along its coasts, while the interior has a more continental climate. As a result, Spain typically has hot summers and mild winters.

In Spain, the sugar industry began in Andalusia around the 10th century, later concentrating on the western coast of Málaga, the Axarquía, and the Costa Tropical, including the coast of Granada. Spain’s strategic location with access to both the Atlantic and Mediterranean played a crucial role in colonial trading with the starting point for voyages of discovery from Cadiz. Nearby, in Jerez, the tradition of Sherry, Brandy, and rum production in the late 18th century pioneered the Solera system of blending while ageing (or Criaderas y Soleras), now widely used across the Latin world in rum.

cadiz coast

Historically, Spain’s strategic location with access to both the Atlantic and Mediterranean played a crucial role in colonial trading, such as during the Age of Discovery crossings led by Christopher Columbus from Cádiz. Nearby, in Jerez, the tradition of sherry, brandy, and rum production in the late 18th century pioneered the solera system of fractional blending (or Criaderas y Soleras), later adapted for ageing rum across the Latin world.

The Spanish colonists brought sugarcane from Andalusia to the Canaries and then Hispaniola. The Spanish influence on rum is profound and dominates Latin America and as far as The Philippines. Spanish families migrated to Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, and distilled rum, creating some of the iconic brands we know today, like the Bacardi family born in Sitges, Catalonia. Even today, the connection runs deep, this guide includes some producers that bring tropical rum to age in Spain.

Hispanophiles love Spain’s rich history, art and architecture, vibrant cities, flamenco music, stunning landscapes, and world-famous cuisine, wines, sherry, brandy, and rum! From north to south, we start in the culinary capital of Spain.

Basque Country

Basque Country

Renowned for its rich culture, wineries, pintxos, gastronomy, and vibrant cities like Bilbao and San Sebastián. In the far north of Spain, bordering France is a region known for its rugged mountains and beautiful coastline. And, if you are a hiker on the Camino de Santiago, there is a side trip to a local rum distillery!

Destileria Acha

Destilerías Acha

A 30-minute drive south of Bilbao is the town of Amurrio, surrounded by oak and pine forests. The story goes that Juan José Acha went to live in Cuba where he founded several businesses, including a rum distillery and a sugar cane plantation. He married a Cuban of Basque origin. In 1895, following the Cuban war, they returned to Amurrio with their 9 children and offered their nanny and her family to come with them. They called her Morita, and her husband, José Navarro, was a renowned master rum maker who worked with them in the distillery in Cuba.

It’s in their honour the rum was named Ron La Morita and was registered in 1897, one of the oldest registered rum brands in Europe. Today, the distillery makes a range of spirits and liqueurs and assembles Ron La Morita Caribeña. The range includes white, aged, and old rums; Ron Blanco, and Ron Añejo aged for a minimum of one year, and Ron Viejo is a blend of rums aged for a minimum of 3 years. The 15 años 125 Aniversario is aged in Iberian oak barrels for at least 15 years. 15 años Reserva de la Familia is a special blend of rums from around the world. You can visit the distillery, where there’s a museum and tasting available, but it’s best to contact them ahead of your visit.

Find out more on Destilerías Acha

cataluna

Cataluña

In the northeast, Catalonia is home to Barcelona, the largest city where the sea and the mountains meet. The cultural and culinary hub is known for its strong Catalan identity, its rich architectural heritage, and Spain’s largest port. Near France and Andorra, Catalonia is also where the Bacardi family originated before emigrating to Cuba.

Destilerías MG

Founded in 1835 in Vilanova i la Geltrú with the production of liqueurs, syrups, and soft drinks. MG Caribbean has been based in Cuba since 1993 importing and distributing rum – like Santísima Trinidad. Since 2000, they partnered with Ron Barceló from the Dominican Republic and are the leading rum brand sold in Spain.
Find out more on Destilerías MG

Destilleries del Maresme (DMB)

DMB was founded in 1875 as a small distillery in Barcelona created by the French industrialist Morel i Bas under the name Sorel. In 1947, the Soler family bought the distillery to reclaim the work of artisanal distillery and moved production. In 2007, the company moved to new facilities and created gins and rum about 30 30-minute drive north of the city. The range includes rum from the Caribbean; Las Antillas Ron Añejo, Lupe Ron Dorado, Sorel Ron Blanco, and Mazagüe Aged Ron is inspired by the Aboriginal people who lived on the Canary Islands. There’s no tour but you can find the rum in local bars and stores.
Find out more on Destilleries del Maresme (DMB)

Beveland Distillers

Based in Girona, started out as a distributor in 1979. Today, they are the headquarters of multiple international rum brands; Ron Relicario from the Dominican Republic, Caracas Club Venezuala Rum, Ron Doble 9, and Cayo Grande Club from Cuba. And, they became co-owners of Bodega Suau in Mallorca in 2016. You’ll find their international rum portfolio rum widely available.
Find out more on Beveland Distillers

madrid

Comunidad de Madrid

Madrid is the capital of Spain and the heart of the region. The city is a vibrant cultural hub steeped in history with world-renowned landmarks like the Prado and Reina Sofía, the Royal Palace, and the Plaza Mayor. The thriving arts, culinary, and entertainment scene and a temperate climate make it a mild year-round and top destination. Toledo (pictured) was the former Spanish capital.

on Mentidero-Madrid-Distillery

Destilería De Madrid

The dream of creating the first craft distillery in Spain began in 2012, the first bottle was gin in 2013 marking the beginning of this adventure. The desire to innovate soon led us to explore other products, especially those aged in barrels, where we found an exciting blend of challenges, satisfaction, and great results. The first rum produced in the distillery was bottled in 2016, marking the first rum in the history of Madrid.

In 2021, the name Destilería de Madrid we adopted and in 2024, Ron Mentidero Solera 12 Años was launched. Solera aged 12 years from a blend of aged rums sourced from Panama and the Dominican Republic. At least 10 years in American oak barrels in the tropical Caribbean, then its secondary maturation is in Madrid in ex Pedro Ximénez Spanish oak barrels from the solera system.

The distillery is currently undergoing a renovation, so it is closed to the public and will reopen starting in January 2025. In the meantime, you can find the rum at the best bars in Madrid or online at the distillery’s shop.
Find out more on Destilería De Madrid

Papaya Destilados Artesanales

Papaya Artisanal Distillates was founded in 2020 as a bar and small craft distillery. They launched Ron Canela a Caribbean-aged rum with 4 flavours including cinnamon and vanilla. No added sugar, these are in batches of less than 300 bottles along with a range of whiskies and gins. A small batch operation that can be sampled in a cocktail at their bar in Ponzano, the trendy food street in Madrid.
Find out more on Papaya Destilados Artesanales

murica

Región de Murcia

With over 300 days of sunshine, beautiful beaches, golf courses, and the inviting city of Murcia. This region southeast, the Murcia is on the Mediterranean Sea with mountains, agricultural lands on the coastal plains, and inland valleys.

Destilerías Belmonte

Destilerías Belmonte

Since 1920 the Belmonte family in Murcia has made rum, vodka, whisky, ginebra, brandy, and liqueurs. The distillery is the oldest in the region of Murcia, a century and four generations old. The rum range includes; Barbudo White Rum, Barbudo Superior Gold Rum, Puerto Seco Rum, and their Honey Rum.
Find out more on Destilerías Belmonte

Bernal distillery

Destilerías Bernal

Founded in 1889 by Juan Bernal González, they are still in operation 133 years later. The brandy house became famous as a supplier to the Vatican and people like Fidel Castro. The headquarters is in El Palmar, its birthplace, and has other locations and wineries and buildings that house the Víctor restaurant-café. They present a range of rum made in the Dominican Republic and aged in their cellars; Ron Papaúpa 5, 15, and 25 years old. The rum is aged in American oak barrels previously filled with their famous brandy. They have a restaurant with two Michelin stars, the Cabaña Buenavista, owned by the chef Pablo González Conejero. You can visit El Palmar to learn more about the brand, the brandy, and rum ageing.

Find out more on Destilerías Bernal

valencia

Valencian Community

Famous for its beaches, the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, and the Fallas festival. Situated on the eastern coast of Spain, the Valencian Community is known for its Mediterranean climate, fertile plains, and stunning beaches.

brouweue

Brouwhoeve

Brouwhoeve is a craft beer brewery and distillery in Benissa, one of the oldest towns on the Costa Blanca Alicante coast. They produce whisky, gin, and private-label spirits and Don Dorado rum is made with molasses and pot distilled on-site. Don Dorado rum is matured in oak barrels, including a finish on Oloroso barrels, where it could rest and mature for 6 years. They have a partnership with Bodega Madrid Romero for ageing casks in the warehouse. As a craft brewery, they host educational tours and tastings with snacks.
Find out more on Brouwhoeve 

Bodegas Vidal

Bodegas Vidal

Vidal was founded in 1899 when the great-grandfather of the current generation running the company built his first winery and distillery. The founder, Miguel Vidal Garcés, initially produced spirits. In 1930 they moved to Castellón and in 1940 opened a winery to make wine and brandy. In 1980, the Vidals moved and Since 2011 they have produced wines and more than 50 liqueurs, brandies, whiskey, rum, gin, vodkas – all under Bodega Centenaria Castellonense. Ron Añejo Maracaibo and Blanco is their rum from the Dominican Republic and Ron Capitán Jack brand. There’s no tour but you’ll find their rum available at stores.
Find out more on Bodegas Vidal

baleric islands

Islas Baleares

The 5-island group of Mallorca, Minorca, Ibiza, Formentera, and Cabrera are off the east coast of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea. Rich in marine flora and fauna, Mallorca, is the largest island and has a long history of wine and liquor making. The islands offer a warm climate, beautiful beaches, and a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy rum sipping.

bodega suga

Bodega Suau

Founded in 1843 in Cuba by Don Juan Suau a merchant marine who began with the production and marketing of rums and aniseed in the Caribbean. After one of his trips to Mallorca, he fell in love with a local girl and decided to bring the business to his native island in 1851. The winery is located in a historic building that is over 200 years old. Their main distillate is brandy, but they also continue to produce rum.

Ron Jungla was born as a personal project to connect The Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Rum made in the Dominican Republic has a second ageing in their Mallorca Cellar using casks that previously contained Suau Brandy. Ron Jungla is aged 11 years on two islands, two seas, and two casks. Visit the historical cellar with over 170 years of history and taste spirits directly from the cask. You can see their traditional brandy solera system. They also host private events, dinners, and weddings.
Find out more on Bodega Suau

Destilerías Antonio Nadal

Since 1898, Antonio Nadal has been dedicated to the production of spirits and liqueurs. They have a rum brand Ron Criollita which are blended Caribbean rum made from molasses. The range includes; Ron Criollita Silver Premium White Rum, Golden Rum, Rum Ron Criollita Reserva 3 años is aged for 3 years in oak barrels. Ron Capitán Huk Black and Ron Capitán Huk Spiced are a blend of Caribbean rums from different tropical islands.
There’s no tour available, but you can find the rum at bars or stores as they’re widely distributed in the Balearic Islands and the Spanish coast.
Find out more on Destilerías Antonio Nadal

andalusia

Andalucía

The historical heritage of flamenco, and cities like Seville and Granada. In the south of Portugal, Andalucía is known for its warm climate, and stunning landscapes, including the Sierra Nevada mountains and the golf capital of Europe on the Costa del Sol. Alhambra (pictured) in Granada is a Moorish palace and fortress dating back to the 13th century, is one of Spain’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Andalusia is historically the sugar coast of Spain.

Granada

montero distillery

Ron Montero

Bodegas Montero is a family distillery founded by Francisco Montero Martín in 1963 in Motril, with a long tradition in sugar production. The molasses-based rum is produced at La Azucarera Montero, located in Lobres near Salobreña. Ron Montero’s main objective was to produce rum, aged in American oak barrels through the traditional method of criaderas y soleras, which its successors maintain more than half a century later.
In 2019, they launched Licor Ron Café, a Rum Liqueur.

The portfolio also includes Ron Pálido Montero, aged in American oak barrels using the solera system. Ron Montero has a long history of receiving groups of different nationalities and offers free guided tours at 12 p.m. in Spanish and at 1 p.m. in English. No reservation is necessary, but punctuality is requested.
Find out more on Ron Montero

Ron El Mondero

Ron El Mondero

Bodegas El Mondero is near the Salobreña Castle and near to where the last sugar factory closed in 2006. This inspired Francisco Izquierdo to bring the legacy back and bottle rum. They will celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2025 with special events. The rum is aged in the solera method, soleras, and criaderas from their Jerez neighbours. Ron El Mondero Selection is a single cask series aged in Whisky, Brandy, Manzanilla Pedro Ximenez, or Palo Cortado barrels. These are limited edition expressions. You can book to visit the Bodegas and have a tasting and pick up a jar of rum-soaked kumquat! Find out more on Ron El Mondero

Cádiz

Williams & Humbert

Bodegas Williams & Humbert

Home of Dos Maderas rum. Traditional Rum made from molasses, distilled in Barbados & Guyana using Pot Still, 60-65%vol) and continuous columns (Patent Still, 80% vol) aged on-site in ex-Bourbon casks. Then blended & shipped to Jerez de la Frontera. The range includes Dos Maderas Atlantic is a blend of 5-year-old Rum from Guyana and 5-year-old Rum from Barbados where it is aged for another year in casks that previously aged Pedro Ximenez Sherry.

Dos Maderas 5+3 5 years in ex-Bourbon casks, plus 3 years in American oak casks, which were previously used to age Dos Cortados Sherry with a guaranteed age of 20 years. Dos Maderas 5+5 is Aged for 3 years at Williams & Humbert in Dos Cortados (Palo Cortado V.O.S.), then 2 years in Don Guido Sherry (Pedro Ximénez –V.O.S. 20 years), Dos Maderas PX Rum.

Dos Maderas Selección is aged 10 years in ex-Bourbon casks. It’s further blended at the Bodega in Jerez with the selection casks of 5+5 rum. Dos Maderas Luxus Aged in American oak barrels for 10 years and aged for another 5 years in casks that previously aged “Don Guido” PX Sherry. You can visit the Bodegas Williams & Humbert to learn more and taste the rums. Williams & Humbert is the largest winery in Europe under a single roof.

Find out more on Bodegas Williams & Humbert

Ron El Mondero

Sánchez Romate

Romate Winery was founded in 1781 by Juan Sánchez de la Torre. They have a rum called Ron Ingenio Manacas.
In 1948 Juan Jimenez Villalba, foreman of the cellar in Jerez left for Cardenas, Cuba accompanying the barrels used for sherries and brandies. There he discovered the qualities to age local rum. Some colonial haciendas or ingenios dedicated to sugar and rum such as Ingenio Manacas exchanged their rum for Sherry barrels.

After the Cuban revolution, Juan managed to repatriate some of those barrels, creating a small Solera in the Jerez cellar. Currently, this extra-aged rum is created as homage, Manacas Rum is produced through a careful and studied selection of the best rums from Venezuela, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. With a Caribbean ageing of 5 years and 3 more years in Solera American oak barrels which previously contained Oloroso and Amontillado Sherries. You can visit the winery, and taste the sherries and rum at their cellars in Jerez.
Find out more on Sánchez Romate

Destilerias Galafate

Destilerías Galafate is an artisanal family-run distillery since 2011. The dream of creating an exceptional rum, and over time, this expanded to encompass a whole universe of spirits including rum. The range includes Ron Galafate Añejo, Ron Licor de Ron Miel, Ron Punch Au Rhum Galafate. The distillery is in Chipiona, there are no tours but you’ll find the rum locally at stores.
Find out more on Destilerias Galafate

grupo estevez

Ron Valdespino

Grupo Estévez founded in 1974, now recently part owned by Macallan, owns vineyards and bodegas in Jerez’s Sherry Triangle and produces the Valdespino brand of Sherries, aperitifs, and rum. Valdespino introduced its sherries and brandies to Cuba in colonial times. In the 1940s, a small number of casks were selected and imported from a client who owned a small rum distillery that they supplied with sherry butts, from a batch of very pure cane rum.

In Jerez, these butts of rum were formed into a solera. Valdespino Ron Viejo has an average age of 20 years and has been aged in butts, many over 100 years old, which previously contained Oloroso from Valdespino’s oldest soleras. During the tour, you’ll explore Sherry wine cellars, see the native horse of Jerez de la Frontera at the Stud Real Tesoro, and walk through the art gallery.

Find out more on Ron Valdespino

Ron Calibío

Hacienda Calibio Rum’s brand home is an old mansion in the colonial city of Popayán in Colombia, not Spain. The rum was founded in 2018 and is made from Nicaragua virgin cane honey (syrup), which is then shipped to Destiladores y Bodegueros in Jerez de la Frontera. It’s then aged in barrels that previously held sherries, including Pedro Ximenez, Oloroso, and Amontillado. Ron Hacienda Calibío 42 has aged 6 years in American oak and 2 years in Oloroso Sherry barrels. Ron Hacienda Calibío PX has been aged for 9 years in American oak that’s previously had Pedro Ximenez Sherry in them for 2 years. You can visit the Hacienda in Colombia or try the rum locally in Jerez de la Frontera.

Find out more on Ron Calibío Rum

Canary islands

Islas Canarias

The Spanish archipelago of Eternal Spring is in the Atlantic Ocean off the western coast of Africa. The Canary Islands enjoy a year-round subtropical climate with the Calima heat winds from the Sahara and La Palma’s lush forests – it can feel more like the Americas than Europe. Explorers came across the Canaries because they were in the path of the Trade Winds. Sugarcane was introduced and the winds blew Columbus’s ships to the Americas taking sugarcane with them. Today, the region is renowned for its rum production, including the locally sourced honey rum, Ron Miel de Canarias, which was awarded Denominación Geográfica in 2005.

ron aldea

Destilerías Aldea

Destilerías Aldea was founded in 1954 in the northeast of La Palma. It traces its roots further back to Don Manuel Quevedo Alemán. He was born in La Aldea de San Nicolás on Gran Canaria (hence the Aldea brand name). After many years leading a sugar factory in Madeira, he came home and opened Ron Aldea. His son took up the family project and today they have an old sugar mill museum called “Trapiche El Melonar” where you can learn about the history of sugar cane. The range includes Ron Blanco, Ron Dorado (gold) and Ron 8 Barricas is from 8 ex-red wine barrels aged in the solera method for 8 years.

Ron Aldea Single Cane is a limited-edition harvest rum made from the Blanca Cristalina cane variety and grown outside the distillery. Ron Aldea Single Estate is from the harvest of Finca Los Camachos in Barlovento. Ron Aldea Maestro has aged in American oak barrels for 10 years.
The harvest (zafra) finishes in August, if you’re planning to visit the area and Destilerías Aldea hosts a sugarcane fair at the end of July every year. Reservations are required for the museum; tours are in English and Spanish and finish with a tasting.

Find out more on Destilerías Aldea

arechus distillery

Destilerías Arehucas

West of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is Destilerías Arehucas, a family-owned distillery on Gran Canaria. Arehucas traces its origins back to Fábrica San Pedro, established in 1884. Initially focused on sugar production and a smaller part dedicated to distilled cane spirit.
In 1935, Alfredo Martín Reyes reopened the sugar factory as Destilería San Pedro, focusing on rum. The rum, initially called Ron de Arucas, was later renamed Ron Arehucas, reflecting the region’s pre-Hispanic name (place of the crest, referring to the mountain of Arucas). In the mid-1960s, the company became Destilerías Arehucas.

The range includes Ron Arehucas Carta Oro is distillation from fresh sugarcane juice on a column still and aged for 1 year. Ron Blanco Selección Familiar is an unaged cane juice produced from sugarcane harvested on the Arehucas fields. Ron Añejo Selección Familiar 12 Años is aged 12 years, and Ron Añejo Selección Familiar 18 Años is aged 18 years. Ron Capitán Kidd is a limited edition with some barrels ageing from 1983. Since 2020, Arehucas has acquired Ron Artemi which makes Ron Miel Guanche Ron Miel Artemi. Book the tour and discover the history and taste the wide selection of rums. You’ll find the brand at stores, bars, and restaurants across the islands here.

Find out more on Destilerías Arehucas

Destilerías de Tejina

Destilerías de Tejina

Families in the northeast of Tenerife made a living by growing, harvesting, and distilling sugar. In 1948 Alfredo Martín Reyes, José Rodríguez Tascón, and the company Hijos de Juan Rodríguez SA joined forces to found the Destilería San Bartolomé de Tejina SA. Destilerías de Tejina produces rum, rum liqueurs, and rum honey.

Ron Guajiro Machete, a 7-year-old rum aged in American oak barrels. Ron Guajiro Tejina is a 10-year-old rum, aged in American Rioja and Sherry oak barrels. Ron Miel Cocal is their honey rum made from rum and local honey presented at 30% Aguere Ron Miel Vintage is older stock, and Ron Aguere Caramelo is the rum liqueur blended with caramel toffee. There is currently no guided tour or tasting on the site, but you can find the rum locally in stores and they have plans for a visitor experience in the future.
Find out more on Destilerías de Tejina

Destilería Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz de Tenerife distillery was founded by Diego Rombolá in 2010. They moved to a larger site in 2014 and plan to create a visitor experience. The rum produced is molasses, column distilled, and called Ron Santa Cruz. The range includes Ron Santa Cruz Blanco is made as a classic white rum for cocktails. Ron Santa Cruz Dorado is their golden rum and they age in ex-Bourbon barrels from Kentucky. Ron Santa Cruz Selección is their premium-aged rum.

Find out more on Destilería Santa Cruz

The Canary Islands were an important sugarcane producer until the 17th century before The Caribbean took over. However, today there’s a renaissance, with other projects in the pipeline like Caña y Ron introducing the replanting of sugarcane in Tenerife gone since the 1500s.

barcelona cocktail bar

Where to Enjoy Rum in Spain

Bilbao: La Destilería Bar
Barcelona: Dr. Stravinsky, Caribbean Club, Espit Chupitos, Paradiso, Boadas Cocktail Bar
Cadiz/Jerez: Habana Café, Azúcar de Cuba Beach Bar, Bar Hukilau Tiki Beach, Cubaname Museo del Ron, Spirit of Kanaloa -Tiki Bar & Restaurant
Granada: Coctelería Alexander, Hanalei Cocktail Bar
Madrid: Amazónico, Mojito´s Cocktail Bar, Bad Company 1920, Salmon Guru, Santamaría Coctelería, Macera Taller Bar, Baton Rouge Cocktail Bar, Astro Zombie Bar, Loa Bar Hawaiano, Kailua Tiki Bar, Tiki Volcano Bar, Bora-Bora, Ti’ Punch Rhum Bar
Malaga: Mañana Cocktail Bar, Chester & Punk, TIKI Torremolinos
Mallorca: Tiki Beach Mallorca
Murcia: The Roneria and the Gintoneria, El Albergue. Cóctel bar.
Gran Canaria: El Bejeque, Fuji, Lambada, Masebba, Rocktop canteras, Carlichi
Seville: Bicicleteria, Premier Cocktail Gin & Rum Selections, The Second Room, Torero Brandy Cocktail Bar, Aloha Poké
Tenerife: The Rumpot Tenerife
Valladolid: Ronerìa Tiki Domingo

The are many fiestas, festivals, and rum serves in Spain around every corner. Carajillo (rebentat in Mallorca) is a popular coffee cocktail to try with local Spanish rum. It’s best to contact these producers in advance, many require a reservation – details are given on the links below each producer.

In 2024 Spain is addressing over-tourism issues. Visiting a local rum distillery is an off-the-beaten-path experience that supports families and their communities. To truly understand the culture and rum from Spain, you need to visit them – it can be the best way to appreciate any culture.

For more general travel advice on Spain Tourism 
For travel planning use our Spain Rum Map

Thanks to the brands for contributing to this article, and permission to use their images. Other image credits to Canva Pro, and user contributions.

Spain sunset

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