Quisqueya – Mother of all Lands
Reading time: 11 minutes
The Dominican Republic shares the Caribbean Island of Hispaniola with Haiti. Geographically diverse, it has stunning white sandy beaches, the majestic Cordillera Central, often called the ‘Dominican Alps’, and the highest mountains in the Caribbean, with Pico Duarte peaking at 3,098m or 10,164 ft. It can get chilly and wet up there, below are lush forests and fertile valleys. The Dominican Republic even has desert landscapes with dunes – but thankfully no sandworms.
With a tropical climate nuanced by northeast trade winds, the Dominican Republic cultivates most of its sugarcane in Central Romana, and harvest season runs from December to May. If you’re a sports fan, a visit could coincide with the baseball season from mid-October to late January.
In 2023, over 10 million tourists visited the Dominican Republic, making it the most popular destination in the Caribbean and securing the top 5 across the entire Americas. Renowned for its warm hospitality, DR offers so much; pristine beaches, world-class kitesurfing, top-tier cigars, vibrant music, historical buildings, luxury all-inclusive resorts, and, some rather delicious rum!
The Dominican Republic has a strong distilling heritage connected to Cuba and Spain. Spanish settlers initially migrated to Cuba, and later to the Dominican Republic following the Cuban crisis. Renowned for its rum production, Dominican rum is defined by the three B’s; Bermudez, Brugal, and Barceló. These esteemed rum-making giants have significantly shaped the history of Dominican rum. There are several other notable brands, and we will delve into them as we embark on our rum road trip starting from the southern region.
South Coast
Santo Domingo, also known locally as La Capital, is the largest city in the Dominican Republic. It’s also the largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean by population. Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial is where many come to take in the culture. There are many firsts here; the first cathedral, the first university, and the first paved street in the Americas. Explore its old-world charm, it’s a good starting or end point for your trip. If you don’t fancy driving the roads you can take a minibus, bus, a tour, or taxi to get around. There are not a ton of distilleries you can visit here, but plenty of ways to enjoy the local rum.
Ron Barcelo
About an hour’s drive east along the coast, and just inland from San Pedro de Macorís is Ron Barceló, established in 1930 by Julián Barceló. The distillery Alcoholes Finos Dominicanos (AFD) was built in 2010, in partnership with Barceló, and produces rum for other brands and independent bottlers. The Barceló Historical Centre is a separate location and the leading rum visitor experience in the country. Ron Barceló is the world’s 6th best-selling rum and the world’s first carbon-neutral rum. Barceló is made from fresh sugarcane juice, with the cane locally harvested in San Pedro de Macorís, so it’s a single-estate rum.
Ron Barcelo Imperial was launched in 1980 introducing premium rum. The visitor experience at Centro Histórico Ron Barceló requires a booking in advance, and there’s a selection of tours to choose from; Imperial, Bartender, or Añejo Experience. You’ll be guided through the museum, try a delicious house cocktail, and taste their rum. It’s a good value place to buy bottles.
Casa Brugal
Brugal Rum was founded in 1888 by Don Andrés Brugal Montaner. This is the other big distiller, and they specialise in quality cask-aged rum. Brugal only local molasses is used to make their rum and is the first Dominican rum to double age in American and ex-Sherry Spanish oak casks. Distilled in San Pedro de Macorís, the spirit is then sent to Puerto Plata on the north coast to age in warehouses (pictured).
Visitor tours were previously offered there, but are unfortunately no longer available. Fear not rum lovers, you can still taste Brugal rum “in the wild,” at bars and restaurants throughout DR. Interestingly, Jassil Villanueva Quintana is the first woman to become a Maestra Ronera (master distiller) for Brugal, but is also currently the youngest ‘Master of Rum’ in the world.
Ron Matusalem
Started in Santiago De Cuba in Cuba by Spanish brothers in 1872, then exiled from Cuba to Santo Domingo. Ron Matusalem is molasses-based and maintains its Cuban heritage process. Aged in the Solera process, which is interconnected casks and originates from Spanish Sherry and brandy techniques. The name Matusalem comes from the bible, Methuselah, symbolising longevity and excellence. Made outside of Santo Domingo, although Ron Matusalem there’s no visitor experience at the distillery, you can try the rums throughout the region.
In Santo Domingo, there are no rum distilleries to visit but some have a brand office or originate in the city. Ron Siboney originated in 1920s Santo Domingo, Siboney 1920 Gran Reserva Familiar is their homage to that golden era. Ron Relicario is based in Santo Domingo, its column distilled and long aged in American oak, they also have a peated finish expression.
The brand name comes from a story of old rum bottles being discovered in an old reliquary and used its profile to replicate or recreate their rum today. There’s also Ron Esclavo, a Danish partnership with Oliver & Oliver. Several DR brands have links to Europe, especially Spain, with rum coming from one of the big distilleries like Alcoholes Finos Dominicanos.
For tasting rum in Santo Domingo, there are plenty of options, start in Ciudad Colonial (colonial city) to explore the bars and museums. SugarCane, La Casa Del Ron the rum experience rooftop cocktail & tapas has views of the Basalica Santa Maria la Menor. At the Bar & Museo del Ron Dominicano, you can explore the museum and taste a wide range of Dominican rum.
Other notable bars to seek out are Sabina Bar Zona Colonial and El Atelier Bar/Cocina. Adrian Tropical is a group of restaurants in Santo Domingo worth trying the Mofongo with a rum cocktail. The airport also has a rum bar called Macorix Bar AILA if you need one last fix before you leave! While in the city, to understand the island’s human history, visit the Museum of the Dominican Man.
East Coast
Driving around the south coast eastward after San Pedro de Macorís, and past La Romana Cruise Terminal, where many cruise passengers will arrive on DR. You’ll end up in Punta Cana which has the largest selection of all-inclusive resorts in all the Caribbean. The famous resort region, and Coconut Coast may not have rum distilleries, but it’s where many people will have enjoyed their first sips of Caribbean rum at a bar.
A few places to consider on your rum adventures are the cigar shops like Don Lucas Cigars. Many of Punta Cana’s best resorts have luxury bars if you’re looking for a high roller experience. In The Westin Puntacana Resort is Don Queco Cigar & Rum Bar. Rum Runners inside the Punta Cana Margaritaville.
The tourist areas of Bávaro are Rum & Juliet Spice and Sugar Bar, Coffee Rum & Cigar Lounge Bar, and Newish Rum Republic Punta Cana. Centum Cantina Punta Cana has 250 rums – 40 of which are Dominican. There’s a good selection of rum at Mundo Autentico Punta Cana souvenir shop, and at the ChocoMuseo Punta Cana. Near the airport is Oliver Lab – Rum Experience, by Taino Gourmet.
Oliver & Oliver
Since 1994 with Cuban origins, Oliver & Oliver is a blending and ageing house. It specialises in solera maturation and limited releases are presented in various brands; Opthimus, Cubaney, Presidente, Guantanamera, Cubanacan, and Punta Cana Club. They have an office in Santo Domingo, but visit their new boutique tasting room at Taino Gourmet in Punta Cana, where you can taste their rum, and enjoy some delicious food pairings in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
Further up the coast is Playa Macao, and travelling inland is Salto de La Jalda, DR’s largest waterfall. Further up the east coast is the Samana Peninsula with El Limon waterfall (pictured above), and Samana Bay which is a popular whale spotting area from January to March. Outside of the big resorts are some amazing natural beauty spots, and some of the best rum experiences are with locals.
There are some big distances between places in the Dominican Republic which would make driving all of it a very long road trip. Most visitors will stay at one resort, either on the south, east, or north coast, and stay there. So, we’ll now skip over to the north coast.
The Amber (North) Coast
The region, named after the golden amber discovered on its northern coast. It’s dotted with numerous resort towns facing the Atlantic Ocean, and majestic mountains behind them. Luperon, Puerto Plata, Sosua, Cabarete, Rio San Juan and Cabrera. The coastal town of Cabarete is about 30 minutes from Puerto Plata, and the windsurfing and kiteboarding capital. The Caribbean’s only cable car transports you up from Puerto Plata high into Isabel de Torres National Park for stunning views.
Best known for all-inclusive resorts, budget packages and a cruise port, Puerto Plata and Playa Dorada don’t scream out as a rum destination. However, there is a rum visitor attraction and several bars to enjoy local rum in places like Taino Bay Rum Bar (pictured above), Puerto Plata Cigar Club, Casa 40, Jolly Roger Bar, and Grill Sosúa.
Ron Macorix
Macorix House of Rum is a museum in Puerto Plata. You can try Ron Macorix Gold to Ron Macorix Gran Reserva and watch an immersive video that focuses on history. It’s not a behind-the-scenes distillery tour and is aimed at curious tourists. Some visitors will take this tour as part of their cruise stop. It’s an informative tour with a chance to sample 6-8 different rums from flavoured to Añejo rum.
Ron Bermudez
In the north-central region about 90 minutes drive inland from the coastal town Puerto Plata, or about 2.5 hours from Santo Domingo, is Ron Bermudez distillery. Santiago De Los Caballeros is where it all started for Dominican Republic rum. Ron Bermudez was founded in 1852, and they have the oldest ageing warehouses in DR. The range includes Ron Bermúdez Don Armando, Añejo Selecto, and 1852 Aniversario. These are molasses column distilled, and not solera aged but linear aged rum.
Although there’s no public tour of the distillery, Santiago De Los Caballeros is an interesting town with cigar factories and museums. The distillery also makes the Kirk & Sweeney rum brand and is home to Don Isidro rum with their Selección Familiar Ron Dominicano.
House Blend Cigar Lounge & Bar in Santiago de los Caballeros might be a good spot to sip these quality rums.
While you’re exploring the local rum drinks here’s a few to look out for;
- Coco Loco cocktail is made with white rum, lime, coconut milk, and pulp.
- Santo Libre is a twist on a Cuba Libre; white rum, Club Soda or Seven Up, and fresh lime.
- Chinola Daiquiri is made with passion fruit and mixed with some of the best Dominican rum.
- Mamajuana: (rum-based); a blend of rum, red wine, and a mix of herbs and tree bark.
What is Dominican Republic rum? It’s protected by law, Ron Dominicano has a Denominación de Origen (DO) presented since 2021. Your checklist:
- The raw material must be Dominican Republic sugarcane.
- It must be fermented, distilled, and aged in the Dominican Republic.
- Minimum ageing period of 1 year in oak barrels.
- Labelled “Ron Dominicano,” only qualified rums can carry this official designation.
Pro Tip: “Colmado” is a friendly neighborhood convenience store by day, but transforms into a lively dive bar by night. Merengue music fills the air, and locals play dominoes or watch baseball on TV. The rum flows. ¡Ojo! Speaking Spanish helps.
Before travelling, check for local festivals and events. One of the most celebrated festivals in the Dominican Republic is the Dominican Carnival (Carnaval Dominicano), which occurs every Sunday throughout February.
The Dominican Republic has so much to offer rum lovers. As we’ve shown beyond distillery tours, there are some terrific local places to dive deeper into the rich flavours of the rum made here.
For your travel planning use our Dominican Republic Map
For more travel advice check out Go Dominican Republic
Image credits to producers, Canva Pro, and user contributions.
