Origin and history of rum
Among all the spirits, if there is one of unmistakable Spanish-American origin, it is undoubtedly rum. Rum has an origin that goes back to the 16th and 17th centuries, when Vino de Jerez makers began aging sugar cane distillates in casks. Later, the Jesuits developed the unique Slow Paraguayan Method in their Guaraní missions. During the time of the Empire, the rum trade between the colonies and the peninsula was intense. However, in the 20th century other distillates of foreign origin gained ground in South American and Caribbean rum.
Changes in rum consumption
According to studies by NielsenIQ, rum consumption appears to be experiencing higher annual growth than other spirits such as gin. In 2022, rum consumption increased by 15.2%, while tequila grew by 30%. Gin and other specialty spirits saw more moderate growth, with 12.9% and 12.8% respectively. Despite this growth, whiskey remains the most consumed spirit in Spain, with a 24.5% market share, closely followed by gin with 19.5% and rum with 14.6%.
The Paraguayan rum El Supremo
In this 2023, the Paraguayan rum El Supremo, distributed by the companies Alpom and Raimsa, arrives in hotels, pubs and restaurants in Spain. This distillate, which has won several medals in international competitions, is presented in three variants: 5 years, 8 years and 12 years. Its origin dates back to 1909 and it maintains an old technology, developed by the Spanish Jesuits in the 16th century in Paraguay. The rum making process includes the use of water from the Guaraní Aquifer, one of the largest underground water reserves in the world. With this new option on the market, rum is gaining commercial interest again.
The future of rum
With the growth of rum consumption and the emergence of new products such as El Supremo, beverage manufacturers are once again interested in this distillate. Rum is gaining ground in the combined market and is proving to have a promising future. However, other spirits such as cognac or brandy have not managed to enter this market in the same way as rum. Thus, rum, with its Spanish-American origin and its rich history, is consolidating itself as one of the industries with the most future in South America.