The sun was shining brilliantly casting a warm glow across the San Juan Harbor. It was one of those perfect sunny mornings, the kind that makes you feel like adventure is just around the corner.
As I wandered around Pier 2 at Old San Juan there was an interactive booth with signs promoting several tours at Casa BACARDI, including a mixology class that seemed to be exciting and unique. An employee of the Port Authority mentioned that the booth was a recent addition, and that it had already sparked great interest, especially from tourists eager to explore new experiences. You can reserve any of the four tours and pay for transportation at the stand.
Certainly, the idea of discovering something new added to the excitement of what was to come! My friend and I met at the port to catch the ferry at 11:30 a.m., just half hour before we traveled across the bay from Old San Juan to Cataño. Soon, the waiting area filled up with a diverse group of people, all eagerly anticipating their own adventures. As we boarded the ferry, we made our way to the rooftop of the boat and could not resist taking a short video of the ocean and sharing it with my friends on social media.
Once we crossed the bay and arrived, we made our way to the shuttle bus that would take us to the next leg of our exciting journey. The driver set the mood with a popular rock song, while the air conditioning system refreshed us from the hot temperatures.
The first thing that grabbed my attention was the efficient organization of the Casa BACARDI tours and what it offered to both local and international visitors. Everyone checked in and confirmed their pre-booked tour. A friendly employee welcomed us and placed a wristband in a color that matched our chosen tour. Along with the check-in, everyone is given a token for a complimentary cocktail at the BACARDI Bar, a highlight of the main area where guests are received. There are four cocktails to choose from, each one as visually appealing as delicious. My friend chose the Guanabana Glow, inspired on the popular soursop fruit, while I opted for a more traditional Piña Colada. Both selections provided a small taste of the house rum.
About every 15 minutes, the speakers at Casa BACARDI announced the different tours scheduled. It was our turn at 1:30 p.m. We boarded the trolley, and were welcomed by the tour guide. The excursion began with historical insights about the company with humor and intriguing facts. The BACARDI rum factory is the largest rum distillery in the world. While the trolley takes the group around the beautiful grounds of Casa BACARDI, the tour guide keeps the guests entertained while teaching an interesting class, with historical data about the company.
The history of BACARDI in Puerto Rico dates to 1936, when the company began producing rum on the island. But the origins of this historic company date back to Cuba, where Don Facundo Bacardi Massó, a Spaniard, emigrated in 1830 and created a unique method of distilling rum. By 1862 he bought a small distillery in Santiago de Cuba and revolutionized the rum production process with Ron Bacardi Superior Carta Blanca, made from blue cane molasses. Bacardi Masso’s family emigrated from Cuba to Puerto Rico and settled in Cataño, where they acquired 137 acres of land. Today, 163 years later, the rum distillation empire that they built continues with great success.
At almost 2 p.m. the trolley stopped in front of a building where the group was going to take the mixology class. “DO WHAT MOVES YOU” is BACARDI´S campaign slogan, one that was appropriate to the atmosphere that prevailed in the class. The first thing was to know and become familiar with the instruments that we would use in class. A measurer, a large tong, a mixer, a shaker and two glasses were some of them. Among our ingredients there was also a small taste of Casa BACARDI Special Reserve, aged between eight and twelve years. The first cocktail we made was a Mojito, followed by a Jungle Bird cocktail. “Pa’rriba, pa’bajo, pa’l centro, pa’dentro. Salud”, said the tour guide in reference to a popular phrase to toast.
After the class, the group was guided to the BACARDI store, where, among other things, Casa BACARDI Special Reserve was available. “You can make your own reserve bottle. You bottle it and put the label on it”, said Dwayne Johnson, who was visiting the island from Nashville, Texas, with his wife, Lunell Johnson. After the guided tour, the group disperses. Some stay in the store, others walk to the central area of the premises, where all the activities originate. My friend and I waited patiently for the shuttle bus. The driver, again, set the mood with a popular salsa song, one that not many in the group recognized but all equally enjoyed. Back at the port, we waited for the arrival of the ferry. The 15-minute trip back to Old San Juan immersed us in a relaxed and happy atmosphere. It was almost 5:00 p.m. when we arrived to San Juan.
The excursion took us out of the daily routine and into a getaway that invited us to return with family, friends, and loved ones. For more experiences and adventures. Cheers!
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