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Don Q - Puerto Rican Rum
Don Q (short for Don Quixote) is a Puerto Rican rum with a rich history. What's more, not only is Don Q Puerto Rico's most popular rum, but it's conveniently located just across the water from the Bacardi factory -- a perfect alternative to what we understand is a boring four-hour excursion -- and best of all, it's free.Located at Pier (Muelle) 2 in Old San Juan, Casa Don Q is a great place to visit on a trip to Puerto Rico. The walls showcase the history of Distileria Serralles, Inc., and the shop offers Don Q-emblazoned items from swim trunks to watches in display cases which change colors from green to blue.
The best part, as we said, is the free samples (please tip your bartender). You try the widely available Don Q Cristal and Gold (which may well be on the shelf at your local liquor store), or you can opt for the awesome flavored rums made with Puerto Rican coconuts, limes, and passion fruit -- they'll make you a mixed drink if you like. The true connoisseur, though, goes for The Grand Anejo Don Q (shown), which is aged twelve years and has notes of rich wood, caramel, and cinnamon. You'll totally want to pick up a $45 bottle while you're there -- make sure you're flying JetBlue, because you're gonna have to check your bag (they still don't charge for one bag).
For more information on visiting the small and simple Casa Don Q, click here -- and click through the gallery for a virtual visit.
Gallery: Casa Don Q - The Bacardi Tour Alternative
Filed under: Food and Drink, United States
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris Jun 18th 2009 1:44PM
A smarter way to take home some Don Q Grand Anejo is to pick up a bottle from Duty Free on your way out (unless they've stopped carrying it, in which case, shame on them!)
While most products in the Duty Free shops in SJU are off-limits to people flying back to the States, Puerto Rico-produced rums are both available and nice and cheap. And the only limit to what you can carry back with you is what you can carry. The airline won't even count the carry bags of liquor against your carry-on limit as long as you can find a place to stow them!
The only bottle of rum you should ever have to put in carry-on luggage from PR is the Bacardi Reserva Limitada, which can ONLY be purchased at the Bacardi gift shop at the Bacardi plant.
Chapu Jun 23rd 2009 8:45AM
Bacardi Reserva Limitada is now available for purchase outside the Bacardi gift shop at select bars and supermarkets in Puerto Rico, not sure if it's available at duty free stores yet, so buy it outside just in case. By the way, I've tried both and the Bacardi Reserva Limitada is a much more complex and delicious rum than the Don Q Grand Añejo, in fact, Bacardi 8 year old is also a far better rum at a lower price and it is available at the duty free shops.
Rob Jun 18th 2009 4:45PM
The true connoisseur rum in Puerto Rico is Barrilito 3 star, which is only sold on island. The only times I've seen it off island are when its sold by a private party, and it's easy $80+/bottle. You can pick it up in duty-free for about $20 and impress your friends with its amazing flavor.