Bacardi - Liquid

The
Bacardi files
A visit to Casa Bacardi in Catalonia reveals
rum’s Spanish connection.
Text & Photographs: Neeti Mehra
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W
ho knew that one of the world’s
most venerable rum brands not
only has a connection to pirates
but also an everlasting Spanish connection?
Bacardi, the largest privately held, familyowned spirits company in the world, which
celebrates its 150th anniversary this year,
has an indelible link to a tiny fishing village
in Spain’s Catalonia region—Sitges. Tucked
in the centre of the historic Mercat Vell, the
old market, in a modernist brick structure is
the Casa Bacardi, the European equivalent
of the Bacardi Museum in Puerto Rico, a
repository of information of all things rum.
may-june 2012
cover story
© Alexander Fahn-womack | Dreamstime.com
Today, the
company that Don
Facundo started
includes more
than 200 brands in
its portfolio and
operates in over
100 countries .
may-june 2012
The Sitges’ Story
Greeting me at the visitor centre
was Juan Bergaz Pessino, Brand
Ambassador, Bacardi, and a
seventh generation family member.
Stepping into the world of Bacardi,
we were told that the founder, Don
Facundo Bacardí Massó, born and
raised in Sitges, set sail to the New
World, Santiago de Cuba in 1830,
in order to make his fortune. A
mere lad of 15, his first venture, a
shop, went bankrupt, and despite
family tragedies, he persevered.
In 1862, he created Ron Bacardi
Superior, perfecting the brew of the
pirates producing aged white rum,
pure and balanced, and suitable for
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mixing. Today, the company that
Don Facundo started includes more
than 200 brands in its portfolio and
operates in over 100 countries.
The story of rum
The museum is littered with
memorabilia of the brand—old
advertisements, a gigantic family
tree and also the map of Don
Facundo’s voyage. The most
enduring image of Bacardi is
the bat symbol that’s speckled
throughout Sitges. Regaling us
with anecdotes of its origin, Juan
informs us that Don Facundo’s
wife found fruit bats fluttering in
the rafters of the small tin-roofed
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may-june 2012
may-june 2012
© Sbego2000 | Dreamstime.com
Bats were chosen
as Bacardi’s
symbol to
represent the
values of the
family and stand
for good health,
fortune and unity.
distillery he first bought in Santiago
de Cuba. Bats were chosen as
Bacardi’s symbol to represent
the values of the family and the
company, standing for good health,
fortune and unity, adds Juan. At
that time, patrons would come and
fill their bottles with Don Facundo’s
rum that was recognised as ‘el Ron
del Murcielago’ or ‘the rum of the
bat’, a lasting legacy which has
immortalised the brand today.
Perfecting the brew
Walking into the second room
lined with oak barrels, we got a
glimpse of the actual process
of making rum, giving a peek
into the secret of Ron Bacardi
Superior, which is more than just
the sum total of yeast, molasses
and water. At that time, a crude
form of rum called ‘Kill Devil’ or
‘Rumbullion’, a foul, medicinal
alcoholic glug was chugged by
pirates and their ilk. Don Facundo,
known as Master of Rum, isolated
a proprietary strain of yeast that
successive generations still use in
the controlled fermentation process
today. The yeast, along with purified
water and nutrients are added
to the molasses to form a mash,
imparting a distinctive flavour to the
rum. Post distillation, Don Facundo
Bacardi used natural charcoal, from
coconut and tropical woods, for the
filtering process, lending the rum a
subtle, aromatic texture. Finally, the
rum was aged in charred American
white oak barrels, from one year to
twelve years, delivering richness,
aroma and smoothness. In the hot
tropics, almost a third of the barrel’s
contents are lost in evaporation,
a loss cheekily named as the
Angel’s Share!
The last stage is blending, Juan
informs us, a process that still
follows the principles laid down by
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Don Facundo, resulting in smooth,
full-bodied, crystal clear rum. We
follow with a tasting session of the
aguardientes or liquors that are
used to make the final mix of Ron
Bacardi Superior.
The pirates brew
Juan sprinkles a few drops of Ron
Bacardi Superior rum in our open
palms and we rub and sniff our
way through different notes. The
first notes are citrusy with hints of
lemon and grapefruit. After another
vigorous rub, our palms reveal
aromas of almond and caramel,
followed by wood, and finally, a
fine layer of vanilla wafts through.
A sip of Ron Bacardi Superior rum
reveals it’s warm, buttery aromas
with hints of rose, lavender and
wood, and has a smooth finish on
the palate.
The visit ends at the stylish
Bacardi bar, creating Mojitos and
Cuba Libres under the watchful
eyes of professional bartenders,
Sebastian and Alejandro. Finally,
leaving the museum for the sun and
sand of Sitges, one could just as
well imagine a ship of pirates on the
horizon, waiting for their share of
the rum of the bat.”
Recipes from Bacardi
The Bacardi Mojito
Ingredients
1 part Bacardi rum
12 mint leaves
½ lime
4 tsp sugar
2 parts club soda
Preparation
To make a Bacardi Mojito, you
crush 12 mint leaves, sugar and
half a lime into a highball glass. Add
ice and pour a jigger of Bacardi
rum. Fill with club soda.
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may-june 2012
Don Facundo,
known as
Master of
Rum, isolated
a proprietary
strain of yeast
that successive
generations
still use in the
controlled
fermentation
process today.
Bacardi Cuba Libre
Ingredients
1 part Bacardi rum
3 parts Coca-Cola
Wedge of lime
Preparation
Pour Bacardi rum into a tall glass
with ice. Add Coca-Cola and a
wedge of lime.
may-june 2012
FACT FILE
Address: Casa Bacardi Sitges, Mercat Vell, Plaza Del Ayuntamiento, 11
08870 Sitges
Telephone: +34(0)93 8948151
Additional information: For visit timings and more information on Casa
Bacardi Sitges, log onto www.casabacardi.es. For more information on the
Bacardi museum in Puerto Rico, visit www.casabacardi.org/.
Getting there: Sitges is a mere 35 kilometers from Barcelona and is well
connected to the city by rail, bus and road. Turkish Airlines flies daily from
Delhi and Mumbai to Istanbul with onward connections to Barcelona. The
airline also offers convenient connections from Istanbul to Madrid, Valencia
and Malaga. For more information, visit www.turkishairlines.com.
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