Abuelo

The brand stems from the business started by the Varela family: Don José Varela Blanco established the first ingenio azucarero in Pesé in 1908; the distillation of sugarcane juice in the following decades gave rise to the family's products. Commercial distillation is documented from the 1930s (1936) and the Ron Abuelo name became established in the second half of the 20th century (production under the 'Ron Abuelo' name is reported from the 1960s). In 2008 Centuria was launched as a family reserve to celebrate the centenary of the family's activity; the range later expanded with expressions such as Añejo 7 y, Añejo 12 y, the Finish Collection (European cask finishes) and Two Oaks.

Full control of the supply chain: the Varela family emphasizes cultivation of its own sugarcane at Hacienda San Isidro and direct management of production stages through aging and bottling. The brand combines family tradition, extended aging and experimentation with finishes in European casks for premium expressions.

Pesé, Herrera Province, Republic of Panama (Hacienda San Isidro / agricultural area of the Varela family).

Production starts from estate-owned sugarcane agriculture; fermentation and distillation (via continuous/column stills according to commercial sources), primary aging in oak barrels (often ex-bourbon) and, for the most prized selections, use of solera systems and finishing in cognac, sherry and Port casks. The Two Oaks range also employs a finishing period in first-fill American oak barrels with extra charring.

Distillation in continuous/column stills (indicated by technical sheets and product descriptions).

Aging in oak barrels (mainly ex-bourbon), use of the solera system for high-end reserves (e.g. Centuria) and finishes in wine/cognac/Port/sherry casks for the Finish Collection; first-fill, extra-charred American oak finishes for expressions such as Two Oaks.