Ron Abuelo

Ron Abuelo is Panama’s most awarded rum, born from the passion of the family-owned distillery Licores Varela since 1908. Every bottle captures the soul of Panama: from our 100 % single estate sugarcane fields to handcrafted expressions full of character and depth.

Generations of craftsmanship

The story of Ron Abuelo begins with Don José Varela Blanco, who laid the foundation in 1908 for what now enchants four generations of rum lovers. His grandson, Luis Varela Jr., introduced the name “Abuelo” as a tribute to family tradition and the passing down of knowledge. Today, master distiller Francisco Varela and his team run the distillery, where classic pot still distillation and modern aging techniques go hand in hand. Year after year, R&D tastings and experiments ensure each new batch honors rich heritage while pushing boundaries.

From field to bottle

Everything Ron Abuelo produces starts on its own estate in Pesé, Herrera Province. Here, 100 % of the sugarcane is grown with no external suppliers. Local families harvest by hand, and the bagasse serves as sustainable fuel for the steam boilers. After gentle pressing, fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks using selected yeasts that develop complex esters. Next, distillation occurs in traditional copper pot stills, where the “heart cut” is precisely separated. Aging happens in tropical warehouses in American and Slavonian oak casks, imparting the rum with a lavish interplay of vanilla, wood nuances, and dried fruit.

The range

• Abuelo Blanco Unaged or lightly aged in neutral oak, offering a crystal-clear, refreshing mix of tropical fruit, grassy notes, and cane sugar sweetness.

• Abuelo 7 Años Aged at least seven years in American bourbon barrels, it delivers accessible aromas of vanilla, caramel, and soft tropical fruit.

• Abuelo 12 Años Aged twelve years as Gran Reserva in bourbon casks, presenting rich toffee, baked fruit, and subtle oak spice notes.

• Abuelo Añejo A no-age-statement rum lightly aged in oak, with a light amber color and a fresh, smooth taste of citrus and vanilla.

• Abuelo XV FC Napoleon Aged fifteen years in a solera system with a Napoléon cognac finish, offering a velvety palate of dried fruit, chocolate, and wood tones.

• Abuelo XV FC Tawny Aged fifteen years in solera and finished in Tawny port casks, creating a harmony of red fruit, nuts, and spicy accents.

• Abuelo XV FC Oloroso After fifteen years in solera, finished in Oloroso sherry casks, revealing a deep, sweet-spiced finish with cacao and molasses notes.

• Abuelo XII Two Oaks Aged twelve years in American bourbon barrels and finished in charred French oak casks, balancing caramelized fruit and subtle smoke.

• Abuelo Three Angels Twelve years in ex-bourbon barrels with extra charring for an intense profile of caramel, honey, and subtle smoke.

• Abuelo Centuria A solera blend with rums up to thirty years old, aged in Jack Daniel’s barrels, featuring complex roasted fruit, vanilla, and spice notes.

Sustainability in every drop

Sustainable practices are woven into every step of the process. By using bagasse as biofuel and recycling 80 % of process water, the distillery achieves near energy self-sufficiency. Fairtrade partnerships invest in the local community: training programs for cane growers and efforts to prevent riverbank erosion. This way, we protect not only the quality of our rums but also the landscape and people who ensure Ron Abuelo finds its way into your glass.