When we think of Asia, we don't necessarily associate the continent with rum. But in the Philippines, a country made up of more than 7,000 islands, a delicious rum is produced. On the island of Negros, which accounts for 60% of the Philippines' sugar production, the excellent Don Papa rum is produced. Its character was inspired by Dionisio Magbuelas, better known as Papa Isio or "Pope" Isio. He was not only a revolutionary who campaigned for the liberation of the Philippines under Spanish rule, but also a shaman and a successful sugar cane farmer. The delicious Don Papa rum, which you can enjoy here, was created in his honour.

Special sugar cane from the sugar island of Negros

Don Papa has earned its categorisation as a premium rum, as the Filipino classic is made from the best sugar cane that the island of Negros has to offer. The high quality of the sugar cane can be attributed to the island's geographical location, climate and ideal soil conditions. For more than 100 years, the island of Negros was known as the "sugar bowl of the Philippines". The cultivation of sugar cane dominated the region from the mid-19th century until the 1980s. The volcanic island is rugged by mountains, boasts white sandy beaches and lush jungle areas. However, it owes its fame exclusively to its extensive sugar cane plantations. The volcanic and therefore very fertile soil is covered by numerous historic estates where the valuable raw materials were produced.

Special sugar cane belongs in special barrels

The processing of the sugar cane produces a highly concentrated and very sweet molasses, which is the speciality and also the basis for Don Papa. After Don Papa has been distilled, it has to mature for seven years. Ex-bourbon oak barrels from America are selected for the maturation process of Don Papa. The oak barrels filled with Don Papa are stored at the foot of Kanlaon, a stratovolcano on the island of Negros. The master blender ensures that the barrels are carefully and skilfully selected.

Old or young: the result of Don Papa

The result is an amber-coloured rum that is delicate and fruity on the nose. On the palate, its soft characteristics are reminiscent of candied fruit and a hint of vanilla. Connoisseurs prefer the older version of Don Papa. This matures for a further three years, bringing its age to 10 years. The longer ageing process results in a significantly darker colour, reminiscent of amber. On the nose, the flavour of the "old" Don Papa is rich and powerful. Rum lovers speak of various flavours reminiscent of cocoa, dehydrated fruit and a hint of oak.

What Don Papa wants to say

Don Papa is a Filipino hero that is particularly aimed at and inspired by people with a rebellious heart. People who never tire of pursuing their goal and fighting for it every day to finally get the justice they deserve. Don Papa is a rum for those who inspire with courage, strength and drive, while constantly offering their generosity. And even if Don Papa's revolutionary successes faded over time, the harvested sugar cane has always been a sign of his honour. His tireless fighting spirit and energy are embodied in every single Don Papa bottle to present the world with an exceptional rum. Another speciality of Don Papa is that it is produced in small batches.

This is how Don Papa likes to be mixed

The premium rum itself is considered to be just as multifaceted as its exotic regions of origin. Its flavour becomes even more diverse when combined with different fruits. The so-called carabao mango, which is considered the most popular fruit in the Philippines, is used for this. However, watermelon or the refreshingly sweet flavours of lime are also popular ingredients in an unforgettable cocktail with Don Papa rum. Fans of Don Papa also like to choose classics such as cola or ginger beer for mixing.

Favourite Don Papa products

One of the classics is clearly the Don Papa Baroko. Made from a special molasses called "Black Gold", the rum-based spirit embodies the original style and impresses with a flavour that is bursting with vanilla and citrus notes. Connoisseurs appreciate the full-bodied and rich flavour, which is made up of aromas of honey and candied fruit. The finish of Don Papa Baroko is long and strong, while a hint of oak and spice unfolds. The focus is of course on pure enjoyment. Nevertheless, the product also impresses in cocktails or "on the rocks".

Just as popular is the sherry cask rum, which is distilled from molasses using the column still method. It is stored in American white oak barrels for four years before maturing for a further 18 months in Spanish sherry barrels. Barrels of the Palo Cortado, Cream, Pedro Ximenez and Fino varieties are used for this. The master blender blends the matured distillates from these four barrels to create a distinctive rum that is bottled without filtration. Fruity, soft aromas of sultanas unfold on the nose, while a full body and the delicate sweetness of plums, ripe figs and dark chocolate can be perceived on the palate. The pleasure is rounded off with a long-lasting finish with a velvety flavour profile. The blended rum owes not only its texture but also its complex flavours to the various sherry casks, which give it that certain something. It is a rare and strictly limited spirit with a striking design that reflects the Spanish past of the island of Negros, but also upholds the legacy of Pope Isio.

Another delicious spirit has been added to the rum portfolio: the Don Papa Sevillana Cask is a tribute to the Spanish ship with the imposing name "Malina Galleon". This was used for the transport of goods in the 18th century, travelling back and forth between Malina and Acapulco. Don Papa Sevillana is initially aged for three years in Oloroso sherry barrels and Andalusian orange wine barrels (Vino de Naranja). The nose is characterised by a fruity aroma dominated by orange. The palate enjoys a balanced mix of orange and cherry, with delicious nuances of honey, salted caramel and soft oak tones. This Don Papa spirit is characterised by a long-lasting and mildly spicy finish. In its entirety, the Sevillana Cask is not as sweet as its "rum brothers" from the Don Papa product portfolio.

Another highlight of the Filipino hero is defined by the Don Papa Rum 10 Years. With this spirit, the name says it all, as the rum was allowed to mature for 10 years in re-charred barrels made from the aforementioned American white oak. The long maturation process gives the rum its fine nuances, which are reminiscent of oak and vanilla. The so-called "Angel's Share" is particularly high thanks to the Philippine weather. This is the evaporated portion during storage. However, it is a Filipino tradition not to top up the evaporated portion, which is why the loss results in an extremely dark, highly concentrated and intense rum. This is a limited edition rum for which the work of the master blender is considered particularly demanding. The careful selection of the best distillates, which are blended together just as carefully, is decisive for the outstanding quality of this spirit. However, the decision to use an alcohol content of exactly 43 per cent is also considered ideal.

Those who prefer a strong flavour when enjoying rum are well advised to choose the Don Papa Rare Cask, which has a rich and fruity aroma. The limited edition reveals nuances of rich fruit cake, oak and cocoa. The long finish of the Don Papa Rare Cask reveals a slight undertone of wild mint. The complex flavours of this spirit combine to create a symbiosis of dark fruits, cocoa and oak. The master distiller selected hand-picked oak barrels for the Don Papa Rare Cask, which were roasted from the inside. The roasting process ensures that a large amount of flavours are released. Once the maturation process is complete after a few years, the rum is bottled unfiltered. This is done at a cask strength of exactly 50.5 per cent. The Don Papa Rare Cask is not blended at the end.

The Don Papa MassKara rum, which is also a limited edition, is also worth mentioning. The name is a combination of the Spanish words "mass" = "more" and "kara" = face. The name alludes to a wild Filipino party where the islanders wear colourful masks and celebrate the event with lots of music and dancing. It is a flavoured spirit for which Siling Lubayo, calamansi and honey were used. German artist Olaf Hajek was commissioned to design the label. His idea was well received, as the label fits perfectly with the expressive and particularly tropical character of the spirit, which is fruity, spicy, sweet and has a certain kick to it. As it is a spiced rum, or flavoured rum, we are talking about a rum-based spirit, which therefore has a lower alcohol content.

With its rich history and accessible character, Don Papa Rum is a rum for relaxed enjoyment as well as for special occasions. Bring this classic Filipino sugar cane rum home now after its long ageing process and celebrate its history. Produced in small quantities, Don Papa is something special. Don Papa is also becoming increasingly popular in our climes and has the potential to become a best seller.