Don Papa Proves the Best Rum Comes from the Philippines
Worlds apart from the Caribbean, the Philippines is actually home to the sweetest rum. Don Papa, made from premium noble cane from the island of Negros, known as “Sugarlandia,” is emerging as the area’s premium spirit. As a tribute to the local hero Papa Isio and the history of the sugar capital, the rum brand melded all these nuances into a bottle that carries the name and transports the island’s festive vibes wherever it travels. Don Papa is distinguished for its vanilla, honey, and candied fruit notes after a seven-year aging process in oak barrels. As it is aged longer than usual for rum, the result is similar to that of whisky. “The extra humidity in Negros intensifies the interaction between rum and wood and helps create the full, rich taste,” explains the brand’s managing director in North America, Chris Rigby. Already available across Asia, Europe, and the East Coast, the Don’s next destination is Mexico, where the brand brought over the spirit of Negros and toasted to liquid appreciation in the spirit capital of Latin America.
