ron del barrilito is one of puerto rico’s oldest rum distilleries, in the suburbs of san juan. i went on a tour of their premises, which was interesting, and they provide a nice cocktail at the end as well. the most famous rum distiller in puerto rico and the world is bacardi, but their massive complex was closed due to the covid pandemic. ron del barrilito famously has a barrel of rum from the 1930s which they do not plan to open until puerto rico gains its independence, at which time they plan to give the rum out for free in the town square. however, rum evaporates with time so the barrel is likely almost empty by this point. the staff was very knowledgeable about the distilling process. they lamented the fact that any alcohol exports from puerto rico has to go through the continental u.s., raising their costs and essentially limiting their market to the united states.
