Ron del Barrilito - Hacienda Santa Ana — Attraction in Bayamón

Very personal visit (tour) of this distillery. The staff so proud and knowlegeable of this place and it's products. You feel the place is more artisenal than commercial as soon as you walk past the red brick windmill and into the storage area. You actually witness the production area: The maturation area, the aging area and the storage area. You see them inspecting and repairing the aged barrels. The aromas are quite pleasant and the workers very proud. This place is for real.

The painstaking hand application of labels, and use of manual pulleys to hoist the barrels onto storage shelves is impressive, as is the quality control (tasting.)

Seeing how the barrels are labeled and stored shows you just why their final products (2,3,4 and 5 star rums) are so respected and consistent. I forgot to mention their new rum, "Santa Ana." Its named after a tonic they manufactured during and after " prohibition." After seeing how they are aged and stored, you 'll understand how fair the pricing system is. Prohibition disrupted their aging process for many years. Oh..the oldest barrel in storage now is from 1952, and is preserved for a special purpose.

After leaving the warehouse, you can go back to the visitor center (rebuilt after Maria) and stylishly simple and have a delicious rum cocktail by a skilled mixoligist using flambèd cinnamon and it's smoke to craft an "old fashioned" for you. There are two equally artisenal cocktails also available complimentary as part of your tour. You can also sample the 4 or 5 star rum for an extra charge. Upon completion of the tour, you 'll understand the pricing. Three tours are available, with the cheapest being 25$, which includes a cocktail. The other two tours are more costly, and include tastings and mixology lessons. The gift shop offers their 5 different rums, and tee shirts (high quality soft cotton), flasks, glassware, caps and other items. In the many times I 've been in Puerto Rico, I had never come here until this time when a friend of mine surprised me. I loved it, and will return. When you sip your cocktail, or rum, consider sitting in the outdoor patio where you 'll be facing a lush green area which served as the sugar cane plantation since the first half of the nineteenth century. You won t even sense you're surrounded by contemporary Bayamon. You 'll face a lush green field. You might get to sit in a locally crafted hard wood rocker. On the property is the former mansion which isn't open to the public. On the side of it is the visitor parking lot. You 'll be happy to see a few autos from the fifties (circa) that reinforce how proud these people are of their past, and how they respect it. We drove here ..to Bayamon..and GPS led us well. One thing you might consider is taking the "tren urbano" from San Juan to the "Bayamon" station and then taking an uber. The train is clean, safe and modern. Also cheap. Then you can safely have a couple of delicious cocktails during your tour. It also gives you the chance to visit the Barbosa historic home in Bayamon, the Oller museum or the new Bayamon Art Museum. The train is above ground (except for the university stations) and gives you a great perspective on this tropical city. It s air conditioned and is s bonus on a rainy day. Few tourists know or use the train since it doesn't go to the beaches or old city. During the tour you 'll learn of the family and the founder who was sort of a pirate agent. Nothing tacky, commercial or hyped during the tour. The tour guides are truly bilingual, and are attentive and nothing is rushed. They talk with you, not at...

Ron del Barrilito - Hacienda Santa Ana offers a truly exceptional experience that is a must for both rum enthusiasts and visitors looking to delve into the rich heritage of Puerto Rican rum. Nestled in the scenic surroundings of Bayamón, this historic distillery provides an insightful and thoroughly enjoyable rum tasting tour that is not to be missed.

From the moment you set foot on the Hacienda, the history and tradition of Ron del Barrilito are palpable. The estate itself is beautiful, with well-preserved buildings that evoke a sense of stepping back in time to when the distillery first started in 1880. The ambiance is enhanced by the lush greenery that surrounds the hacienda, setting a perfect backdrop for a day of exploration and tasting.

The rum tasting tour itself is expertly conducted. It begins with a fascinating introduction to the history of the hacienda and the evolution of Ron del Barrilito, known as the oldest rum in Puerto Rico. The guide’s passion and knowledge about their craft are evident, making the tour both educational and engaging. You learn about the intricate process of rum making, from fermentation and distillation to aging and bottling, which highlights the craftsmanship that goes into each bottle.

The highlight of the tour is, undoubtedly, the rum tasting session. You get the chance to sample various ages of Ron del Barrilito, each with its own unique profile and complexity. The flavors are rich and robust, with notes that range from vanilla and caramel to fruit and spices, reflecting the expert aging process in sherry casks. The experience of tasting such finely crafted rums in the very place they are created adds an authentic touch that is truly special.

The staff at Ron del Barrilito - Hacienda Santa Ana are wonderful, ensuring that every guest feels welcome and informed. Their enthusiasm is contagious, making the tour not just informative but also immensely fun.

I highly recommend Ron del Barrilito - Hacienda Santa Ana to anyone visiting Puerto Rico. Whether you're a rum aficionado or a curious traveler, the rum tasting tour at this historic distillery is an excellent addition to your itinerary. It’s not just a tasting—it’s an experience that offers insight into the soul of Puerto Rican culture and its celebrated...

Overview: This is a fantastic, relatively intimate (our tour was 14 adults) tour with an interactive, personalized class on mixology (that is, making proper cocktail drinks!). If you enjoy rum, enjoy drinking, enjoy history, enjoy talking to new people and seeing the countryside, then GO TO RON DE BARRILITO. Also, don't tell the others. They're waiting in line at Bacardi for the massive Walmart level crowds while Barrilito is laid back, chill, and mature.

The Good: Intimate tour Mixology class where you MAKE THREE FULL SIZE DRINKS FOR YOURSELF Excellent bar/drinks, YOU GET A FREE DRINK TOKEN, so 4 total drinks are INCLUDED in the price!! Excellent rum that you can ONLY find in Puerto Rico, period. We bought ours at the airport so we didn't have to check a bag, but it's the same price in the airport. FYI. In fact, it's cheaper in the airport if you buy 2x bottles. If you're big into rum or want to try to re-sell highly exclusive bottles, the 4-star ($300) and 5-star ($750) are ONLY ever available at the distillery and are worth more than this outside of Puerto Rico..... If I knew a good place to re-sell, I would have bought some 4/5 star to sell. FANTASTIC staff. Our tour guide OCTAVIO was fantastic! What a joy to have a passionate local here to tell us about one of the best parts of Puerto Rico. The bar tender HAROLD was great! He mixes a fantastic drink. The front desk greeter NAHIR was super kind and fun. She made us feel welcome and comfortable literally from the second we walked in the door.

The Bad (there really isn't anything actually bad, but I always include this section): If you don't have a car, there's a $25-ish Uber ride out here. No big deal in my opinion. You might not be able to walk back to your Uber after 4 FULL SIZE DRINKS. Sit at one of the tables, sip, chat, enjoy, don't rush it.

The Ugly (this is a section I always put in my reviews, but.....): Nothing. There's nothing ugly about this unless the Bacardi cruise boat people find out about it and ruin it with crowds. It's perfect as it stands right now. Honestly, I'm hesitant to write this review. Maybe don't tell anyone, please? If you're on a cruise PLEASE don't tell anyone. Let this...