The Rum Museum: A One-and-Only Place
There is a unique place in Santiago de Cuba’s historic core: the Museum of Rum, nestled in San Basilio Street, Carnicería. A group of specialists will take you on a grand tour throughout the facility and give you the opportunity to sip a drink of Santiago Old Rum, Monday – Saturday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
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The Museum of Rum, the first of his kind in Cuba, was inaugurated on June 21, 1996, as a result of the First Meeting of Master Rum Makers in the province.
The building’s wide corridor and gardening make it stand out among the rest of the properties in downtown. The garden features a life-sized still, which was created by master rum maker Mr. Navarro, who was also in charge of choosing the exhibition material to be used on the museum.
Essential elements are shared to understand the rum making process, without revealing the secrets related to its production.
The museum’s exhibition halls treasure the history of the rum industry in the country, especially Santiago’s.
The hall devoted to sugar cane shows a replica of a sugar mill from the 17th century, a copper and a board with information on the stills operated in Santiago de Cuba 1889-1890. They were key elements to produce eau-de-vie.
The visitors will also learn about the production of superior rum, surrounded by aging premises and barrel, as well as other elements that are used to restore the original ones.
The making and bottling section also showcases original pieces of prestigious companies Castillo and Bacardí. The machines date back from the 1930 decade.
Last but not least, the Santiago hall includes models, a collection of labels and objects that belonged to the Bacardí Company.
There are pictures of the main master rum makers of the country, such as Facundo Bacardí Moreau, Juan Bautista de la Torre, Humberto Corona, Mariano Lavigne, Ramón Lozada, José Albuerne Carreño, Pedro Palau, Eduardo Ibarra, Arturo García, César Vega, Roberto Cuco Trompeta... and many others that are still sharing their knowledge on Cuban rum, just like José Pablo Navarro Campa, Tranquilino Palencia Estruch and Julio Enrique Allán Rial.
Two showcases exhibit a collection of special and commemorative rums, including Matusalén, Caribbean Club, Edmundo Dantes 15 and 25 years old, 50 Aniversario del Asalto al Cuartel Moncada, San Cristóbal de La Habana 480 Aniversario, Caney, Havana Club Selección de Maestros Gran Reserva and the typical Santiago, extra old and half a century.
The Museum of Rum increases its collection and features spaces for cultural exchange. Good examples are the performances of female vocal group Vidas, on Tuesday and Thursday.
