Are you curious about where that liquid libation you enjoyed at last night’s Happy Hour originated? From sugarcane in the Caribbean, the agave plant in the Mexican desert, Russian potatoes or malted barley from the American Heartland, when it comes to spirits the scope is vast.
Puerto Rican Rum
The first rum distillation took place on sugarcane plantations in the Caribbean during the 17th century, specifically traced to Barbados in 1651. Less than fifteen years later a distillery opened on Staten Island where it quickly became one of the leading industries in the colonies.
Nowadays rum-making tours are a staple of the tourism industry in Puerto Rico with 70% of America’s rum imported from the island and 4 distilleries open for tours and tastings. Ron del Barrilito is one of the island’s smaller operations that uses a secret recipe known only by the founding Fernandez family. They produce just two rums, Two Star and Three Star, a favorite of the locals as it’s aged in barrels for six years.
The Bacardi Distillery is the islands largest rum factory as well as the largest distillery in the world, offering tours and tastings of their many varieties. Castillo Serralles is the home of Puerto Rico’s authentic, Don Q rum. Located in Ponce, the family estate let the Squire step back in time and sip rum in the lavish style of the Spanish baron who owned the land at the turn of the twentieth century.
Last but not least is the Trigo Corporation, who produce an exclusive line of aged and blended rums, such as Trigo Reserva Añeja that is aged for 10 years. Whether you visit all four or just one, Puerto Rico is the place to learn about, drink and savor rum!
Scotch Whisky, Scotland
Scotch, also known as malt or grain whiskey, traces its origins to a distiller at Linodres Abbey, on the outskirts of Newburgh in Fife in 1495. What makes Scotch whiskey unique is the aging process that stores the juice in oak barrels for at least three years. Scotch is distilled in two forms, single malts, which use only water and malted barley versus single grain which uses other whole grains or unmalted cereals to create a mixture. From here, there are three varieties of blended Scotch depending on the mixture of single malts or blended grains. What did this mean for the Squire? There were lots to try!
The Auchentoshan Distillery is just a 20 minute drive outside of Glasgow’s city center on the north side of the River Slyde where they make Scotland’s only triple distilled single malt, producing a delicate and smooth liquid. Established in 1832 this is one of only a few remaining Lowland distilleries in the country. They offer a variety of different tours including a VIP tour and tasting that lasts upwards of an hour and a half, including the option to bottle your own Scotch. They currently produce five distinct varieties that provide a unique perspective of the spectrum to visitors.
Tequila Trail, Mexico
When most people think of Mexico they think of tequila and what better way to experience the best than a journey on The Tequila Trail. Located in the region of Jalisco outside of Guadalajara, the Tequila Trail begins and runs south of its namesake, Tequila, Mexico.
It’s possible to visit different tequila distilleries and discover the desert landscape of the agave countryside on the Tequila Train, headed toward Vallarta or Amatitán. Amatitán is home of Casa Herradura where tequila has been produced since the 1870s. Check out Hacienda Don José del Refugio to learn about tequila’s history in the region and the gripping saga of its founders.
Traveling by car is also recommended when experiencing the Tequila Trail since it allows you to customize an ideal tequila itinerary, which may include the Jose Cuervo, Sauza or La Cofradia distilleries. At the Sauza distillery, tours begin by assisting a traditional jimador in the production process from harvesting the agave plant to the milling, fermentation, distillation and bottling of the tequila. La Cofradia’s night tour is not to be missed! Their “Tour of the Senses” includes dinner and a tasting from each category of tequila.
Of course, there are many other international spirits that shouldn’t be forgotten, like ouzo from Greece, for example. Next time your Happy Hour gets a little rowdy, why not play a game of Show and Tell with your friends and see who’s got the 411 on what they’re sipping!