The history of Dictador rum
It was the end of the 18th century when Spaniard Spanier Severo Arango y Ferro arrived in Cartagenas de Indias in Nueva Granada (modern-day Colombia). His goal: To simplify the tax collection process in the American colonies. The Spaniard was so great at asserting his authority that he soon received the nickname “dictador” (dictator).
Despite his determination, his priorities changed drastically when he first tried Colombian rum. His passion for the sugar cane spirit soon led to him becoming one of the most important rum traders in the area.
About 180 years later, a descendant of Ferros decided to open the Destilería Colombiana. Don Julio Arango y Parra spent years exploring the secrets of rum production.
Three generations later, in 2009, a group of investors helped the company to achieve its international break. The new marketing and distribution budget helped Dictador become one of the most popular Colombian rums in the world.
Today, Dictador not only produces rum but also offers a selection of gourmet products, including gin, coffee and cigars.
Special products
The Dictador assortment contains more than a dozen releases, including several standard bottlings and limited editions. In the following sections, we will present a few of these products.
Dictador Solera System Aged 12 Years Reserve Rum
To produce the Dictador Solera System 12, the fermented sugar cane is processed in a continuous distillation. For maturation, the rum is stored in used oak casks in the Solera system for 12 years. At the nose, typical baking spices, cinnamon, vanilla and brown sugar dominate; at the palate, a hint of smoke follows and is accompanied by citrus, honey, cacao, oak and toffee. The finish is pleasantly dry with notes of oak.
Dictador 20 Years Distillery Icon Reserve Rum
Dictador 20 Years is without a doubt one of the best products in the Dictador assortment. After a maturation in copper stills and a stainless steel column still, it matures for 20 years in the Solera system, which gives it a special aromatic harmony. In its aroma, this Dictador rum presents itself as wonderfully well-balanced, with complex notes and a pleasant spiciness. The finish is long and sweet.
Dictador Treasure Colombian Aged Gold Gin
The special aroma of the Dictador Treasure Gin is due to the use of a particular citrus fruit, the “limon mandarino”, the crossing of a lemon and a tangerine, which creates exotic-sweet notes. After a fivefold distillation, the base spirit is mixed with selected botanicals and is then matured for 35 years in oak casks which were previously filled with Dictador Rum.
Dictador Rum at Gustero
Besides whiskies, cognacs, liqueurs and vodka, Gustero also offers a large selection of white and brown rums from all over the world, including a variety of excellent Dictador Rums. Besides the classic Dictador Solera System 12, which presents with notes of caramel, cacao and honey, you can also find limited editions like the Dictador Orange 100 Months Aged Rum or the Dictador Treasure Colombian Aged Gold Gin, which shines with its unusual flavours.
