When it comes to good old Ron Abuelo rums, the pursuit of perfection in spirits reaches a new level. There's little resemblance to smaller brands that have created a category better known for umbrella-style drinks and coconut-shaped glasses.

These remarkable rums are crafted by the expert distillers of Varela Hermanos, a family-owned company dating back to 1908, when Don José Varela established the first sugar mill in the newly formed Republic of Panama in the city of Pesé. With their dedication to quality and fine taste, this historic spirit becomes the choice for those who can only be satisfied with the best that life has to offer.

Quality is the brand's hallmark, but Ron Abuelo's secret weapon is its cache of mature rum. The company's 100-year experience and exacting standards are dedicated to creating a line of remarkable aged rums sold under the Ron Abuelo name. “Our brand is the expression of our long and passionate quest to produce the world's finest aged rum. Abuelo means grandfather in Spanish, and the image of the old man on our labels reflects the essence of this brand: heritage and tradition,” says Luis J. Varela Jr., the third-generation member of the Varela family who currently runs the company. “We are very proud of our Panamanian birthright and believe this magical country is the perfect place to create the best rum.”

While rum is aged in various regions of the world, the masterfully crafted rums at Hacienda San Isidro in Ron Abuelo, Pesé, are exceptionally delicious thanks to the special climatic conditions that bless the farm, nestled in a small, fertile valley on the Azuero Peninsula. Moderate rainfall, cool nights, and humid days play important roles in the development and character of each spirit. Here, the company controls 100% of the rum production process: they cultivate and harvest their own sugarcane by hand, distill their own spirit, and age everything on their property.

Sugarcane is sorted and fed into the milling process for crushing, extraction, straining, and juice purification at the Don José Distillery, a state-of-the-art facility that combines traditional and modern techniques for the industrial distillation process. The production process ranges from fermenting the sugarcane juice with house-grown yeast to aging in small white oak barrels, achieving a perfect balance between technology and tradition.

These rums are created by the careful blending of two rum styles: a light and clean rum, distilled for a higher proof, and an aromatic base rum with bold and exotic flavors. Carefully crafted and aged in oak barrels that extract notes of vanilla and caramel, the end result is a rich and fragrant spirit that offers subtle and complex flavors not found in ordinary rums. This care and attention to quality result in a collection of rums that showcase extraordinary depth and drinkability.

Rigorous quality control is maintained at the distillery using sophisticated laboratory equipment, while trained tasters continuously monitor the aroma and flavor profile to ensure consistency across each of Ron Abuelo's brands: Añejo, 7 Años, 12 Años, and Centuria. Each of the four members of the Ron Abuelo family offers a different experience, unique personality, and character. All express the family's passion for producing the finest aged rum.

To this day, Varela Hermanos produces high-quality spirits with the support of its local community. The dedication to creating unparalleled spirits is as important as remaining committed to the company's Panamanian roots and family. “From the earliest days, the Varela family has been known for its commitment to exceptional quality,” adds Luis J. Varela Jr. “The aged rum category is one that allows us to best express our craftsmanship, and more and more consumers who experience Ron Abuelo recognize our superior flavor, smoothness, and complexity. That is the highest praise we could receive.”