Taste of Rum 2025 recap
More than 1,800 visitors and 80 brands attended Puerto Rico’s 15th international rum festival, Taste of Rum 2025, in March.
Organised by The Rum Lab, the 15th edition of the festival was held at the Puerto Rico Convention Center on 29 March.
More than 1,800 guests, including enthusiasts, content creators, and industry professionals, attended the event, featuring in excess of 80 rum brands. Some of the brands present included Bacardí, Don Q, Ron Boricua, Artesano, Ron Barrilito, Barceló, Planteray, Ron Capo, and Tres Clavos.
According to the organisers, the strong turnout showcased Puerto Rico’s prominent role and appeal in the global rum market.
Gerardo Ortiz, content creator and photographer, shared: “Taste of Rum 2025: an unforgettable experience. If there’s one place where rum is truly celebrated, it’s here. Puerto Rico not only produces the best rum – it lives it, breathes it, and shares it with the world.”
In addition to rum, the event featured a broader spectrum of craft spirits than it has done previously.
Federico J Hernández, creator and organiser of Taste of Rum, said: “After attending WhiskeyLive Paris and experiencing the rum and sake area of the event, I learned that other spirits can co-exist in these events.
“That being said, while rum remained the centrepiece, whiskey, Bourbon, and craft beer were also featured, making the event a more inclusive celebration of the Caribbean’s evolving drink culture.”
Seminars
Attendees were offered seven seminars and educational talks as part of The Rum Conference education program, led by Hernández.
With more than 15 industry speakers, the conference allowed participants to explore topics such as production techniques, market challenges, and brand histories.
Since the congress was added to the festival, the event has attracted a global audience who travel to the island to participate in and learn from the educational panels.
A highlight of The Rum Conference was the talk titled ‘New and Untouched: Try New Expressions Made in Puerto Rico,’ led by Frank Stipes from Ron Superior and José Roberto Álvarez from San Juan Artisan Distillers. This educational session revealed the stories behind upcoming releases from these two local brands.
Another notable presentation, ‘Rums from Around the World,’ was conducted by Leonardo Comercio from PM Spirits NYC and Javier Berberena, a WSET instructor and spirits importer. This session provided a tasting experience that showcased the diversity and richness of sugarcane-based spirits from various regions.
Additionally, Larissa Arjona, president of Women Leading Rum, along with Magaly Feliciano and Ailsa Bonet, highlighted the sustainable practices necessary for preserving the environment within the spirits industry during their talk, ‘Women Leading Environmental Responsibility Initiatives.’
Other seminar topics included ‘Puerto Rico’s Forgotten Rum City – Arecibo’ and ‘How Do 10-, 15-, and 20-Year-Old (Single Cask) Rums Taste Directly from the Barrel?’
Furthermore, Ron Superior and San Juan Artisan Distillers hosted individual master classes.
More to come
The event also marked the launch of the second edition of Hernández’s Rum-clopedia: Puerto Rico Rumclopedia, Version 2. In the book, readers are taken on a journey through the rise and decline of Arecibo, which was historically the epicentre of Puerto Rico’s rum industry.
Additionally, the opus offers more profound insights into brands such as Ron Superior through historical essays and visual storytelling.
The book will be available soon through Amazon in the US.
Taste of Rum is set to return in 2026 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center on 28 March.
Tickets are now available through the official Taste of Rum website, where visitors can also find information on ticket tiers, policies, hotel discounts, and sponsors.
Rum tourism in Puerto Rico
Since 2009, the Taste of Rum event has significantly boosted Puerto Rico’s tourism sector. The festival attracts more than 600 tourists annually, resulting in approximately 7,800-9,000 hotel nights. This success is made possible through strategic partnerships with hotel chains throughout the island.
Hernández explained: “Taste of Rum strengthens Puerto Rico’s position as a global leader in the rum industry. This event showcases our heritage and craftsmanship while driving tourism, investment, and economic growth.”
According to Hernández, the rum industry is vital to Puerto Rico’s economy. A recent report from Nimb15 shows that 70% of Puerto Rico’s rum exports are sent to the US.
In 2020, Puerto Rico produced approximately 160 million litres of rum.
Related news
