Bacardí is the world’s largest privately-owned spirits company, and if you happen to be in Puerto Rico, you can visit the world’s largest premium rum distillery. The Bacardí spirit family includes Bacardí, Grey Goose, Patrón and Bombay Sapphire, to name a few. Bacardí is not just a brand name – it’s a family name. Bacardí was founded in 1862 by Don Facundo Bacardí Massó in Santiago de Cuba. In the 1930’s, a distillery was built in Puerto Rico. Just shy of the company’s 100th anniversary, the Bacardí holdings in Cuba were seized by the government. Luckily, the family had moved the company’s trademarks and yeast strain out of Cuba before their assets were confiscated, and Bacardí continued operations in other countries, including Puerto Rico. Located just a short ferry ride or drive from Old San Juan, you can visit the distillery, located in Cataño, for a rum-filled afternoon.
