CubaPLUS Magazine

A welcome piece of news arrived almost at the end of 2022: the Knowledge of Masters of Cuban Light Rum was included in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, by UNESCO, in fair recognition of a tradition that began in the stills of the Bacardí family of Santiago de Cuba, around 1882, although the strong and rough rum of the beginning can be said to have been born since the arrival of sugar cane to the Island, in the 16th century.

What began with bold acts of ingenuity and creativity, first in an artisanal way, has become an industry that today has as its mainstay the superb Havana Club rum, created from the incessant evolution generated by the contribution of the indomitable Santiago, cradle ofso many essential and important traditions of the country.

It cannot be denied how decisive it was to "tame" and soften that throat-busting brandy of early colonial times, suitable for pirates and filibusters. The awareness was created that it had to be brought to the salons, to romance and courtship, conversations between friends and consolation for the inevitable heartbreak. Part of this has been the Cuban light rum, which has received quite a few international awards since then and which today has a sample list with other brands that are accepted in the country and in the world.

Although in recent times its production volumes have been temporarily affected by the pandemic and the economic crisis. A wealth of expertise or good work have always been coupled with the evolution, always towards higher quality levels, of the various types of light or refined Cuban rums. There are teachers who have been very famous, from the end of the 19th century to the present, as well as certain productive entities.

But currently, as we said, the Havana Club shines especially, which does not mean at all that its producers are only the best teachers in the country.The quality of knowledge prevails in various national points and among them the people of Santiago, initiators of the legend, continue to be a very strong place.

Today, the industry of wise masters and white oak barrels combines traditions and the most modern scientific, chemical-physical techniques. Of course, the steps of its process, clearly established, are inviolable and do their thing together with the magic of the genius touch of  creators. Out of elementary respect for the name of Cuba and the national culture, congratulations, today's teachers!