The world-famous brand of rum "Varadero" has appeared on the Russian market relatively recently. This brand is rapidly gaining popularity among connoisseurs of strong alcoholic drinks due to the use of high-quality raw materials and unusual taste characteristics of the final product. We will describe in detail the history of the occurrence of rum, its classification, and much more in this article.
History tour
Facundo Bacardi Masso was born in Sitges, which is located on the Mediterranean coast in the north-eastern part of Spain. At the age of 15, he moved to Cuba, which in the first half of the 19th century was a Spanish colony. There Facundo begins to work with his brother Jose, the owner of a grocery store. Then the enterprising Spaniard decides to open his own wine business. The idea brings Facundo success, and he is actively engaged in the development of the company. At this time, he meets his future wife - Amalia Moro. Her family owned a coffee plantation, which allowed her to give a good dowry to her daughter.
In the second half of the 19th century, two powerful earthquakes occurred in the city of Santiago de Cuba, after which a terrible cholera epidemic broke out. Very few at that time managed to maintain their business. At the same time, the Spanish government begins to support Cubans, who will be able to develop new technologies for the production of rum. Facundo Bacardi decides to try his hand in a new field. Thus, the enterprising Spaniard began to independently study the entire process of production of the drink. The starting materials are sugarcane stalks and yeast. Then the intermediate product is aged in oak barrels, which are previously subjected to the firing process. The last stage of production is the passage of rum through a charcoal filter. This groundbreaking idea belongs entirely to Don Facundo.
The experiments of Facundo Bacardi ended successfully, thanks to which the taste of rum was significantly improved. Therefore, he decides to invest all his savings in the acquisition of a rum factory.
Trademark creation
When creating a memorable trademark for bottles of rum, it was necessary to remember that the majority of the local population of the island of Cuba were people who were not literate. Therefore, the label should show a symbol that is understandable and close to every Cuban. After much deliberation, it was decided to put a bat on the label, which in Cuba is a symbol of family happiness and good luck. The idea belonged to Facundo's wife, and she brought unprecedented success to the entire enterprise.
Brand development
After the first release of finished products to the local market, it became clear that the Cubans liked it. A few years after the aforementioned event, Bacardi rum was awarded an international award, and a year later the head of the family and the founder of the company, Facundo Bacardi Masso, die. The reins of power pass to his son - Emilio Bacardi, who became famous as a fighter for the freedom of Cuba, and later as a prominent statesman.
At the end of the 19th century, the company received a privilege - the status of "supplier of the Spanish royal court", which allowed the emblem of the Spanish royal family to be shown on the label. Rum sales are steadily growing, and Emilio decides to open another plant in Mexico.
In the United States, meanwhile, prohibition was passed, which was subsequently repealed. This fact allowed the company to develop new markets.
In the middle of the 20th century, the political situation in Cuba became unstable, so the Bacardi family transferred their assets to the Bahamas, and they themselves decided to move to the United States.
Meanwhile, the famous rebel leader Fidel Castro comes to power. Following his political course, all enterprises are subject to nationalization. However, Bacardi & Compania retained a controlling stake, and at the end of the 20th century added Martini and Rossi, a vermouth producer, there. The combined company was named Bacardi-Martini and became one of the largest concerns in the world.
Symbol of company success
A symbol of Bacardi’s success is the palm tree that grew near the first factory building bought by Facundo Bacardi. The company's heirs claim that the tree began to dry just before the Cuban revolution, as if warning about difficult times for business. This event was accepted by the Bacardi family as a bad omen. Currently, palm trees are traditionally planted at all offices and workshops of the company.
Types of Rum "Varadero"
The company produces several varieties of rum. The most popular drinks from the product line are discussed below.
Transparent rum "Varadero Silver Dry" is aged in barrels for about 1.5 years and is the youngest drink. In its aroma there are notes of oak and molasses, and in the taste characteristics you can catch the flesh of coconut, ripe melon and aloe.
Rum "Varadero Anyeho 3 years" is aged in a barrel for three years. It has a golden yellow color, and fruity notes are clearly felt in the aroma. The taste of the drink gives spices, notes of ripe fruit and oak.
Rum "Varadero Anyeho 5 years" has a golden color with a hint of amber. The aroma is dominated by notes of spices and ripe fruits, the taste of the drink contains citrus and vanilla notes.
Rum "Varadero Anyeho 7 years" has an amber color. Its aroma contains notes of citrus, dry grass, spices and ripe fruits. The taste of the drink is sweet and has a long finish. The aging time in oak barrels of this type of rum "Varadero" - 7 years.
And the last kind of drink. Rum "Varadero Anyeho 15 years" has a dark amber color. The aroma contains notes of dried fruits, spices and oak. The taste of the drink is characterized by unusual sweetness with notes of dried fruits.
Production secrets
There are many legends and speculations about how manufacturers of this drink manage to achieve high quality and taste characteristics of the product. The main secret of Varadero rum production is that the company's technologists carefully monitor the quality of the raw materials used to make the drink. Special attention is paid to the main ingredient - sugarcane. For the production of rum, only its best varieties are used.
Oak barrels, which are used for aging rum, undergo a roasting process, which makes the final product even softer. After firing, the barrels reassemble, and the cracks are clogged with sugar cane leaves.
Rum "Varadero": reviews
This product appeared in our country relatively recently, so there are few reviews about it. The most respected of the entire product line among connoisseurs of strong alcoholic drinks is considered the rum "Varadero Anyeho 7 years". It is advised to use it in its pure form with a small amount of ice.
Rum "Varadero Silver Dry" is the most budgetary drink among the entire line of products. Many consumers noted that this product is well suited for a fun cocktail party, as there are many recipes for cocktails based on rum. In its pure form, it is not recommended to use it, since the taste is rude.
Consumption culture
Transparent color Varadero rum is ideal for cocktails, the recipes of which are huge. It can be diluted with Coca-Cola, various juices and soda.
Dark rum is consumed in pure form. It should be noted that before serving, you should slightly cool the drink. It is also allowed to add ice and lemon juice to the rum to soften the taste.
Rum goes well with fruits, salads, meat, seafood and fish. Before serving, it is allowed to sprinkle fruit with a small amount of cinnamon.