Pitorro or Puerto Rican moonshine has been attracting a lot of attention outside of Puerto Rico recently thanks to the huge popularity of Bad Bunny and his song Pitorro de Coco. On this unique tour you’ll learn everything there is to know about Puerto Rico’s centuries old tradition.
Ron Pitorro, the first legal moonshine in Puerto Rico
For hundreds of years Ron Caña “Pitorro” or Puerto Rican moonshine, has been distilled from sugar production byproducts in Puerto Rico. This original, up to 160 proof rum, is still made in clandestine, illegal stills all over the island. The main ingredient is guarapo (sugar cane juice) or molasses. To flavor and age their distillate, people would bottle and bury it in their backyard with different fruits, spices and all sorts of different ingredients for flavor. Some would even bottle it in coconuts to extract the flavor from the coconut meat.
How it all began
20 years ago a young Puerto Rican couple, Héctor Augusto and María Cristina, took it upon themselves to create the first legal Pitorro in Mayagüez on the west coast of the island. It was an interesting process as they needed the approval of the very agency dedicated to erradicating illegal stills. Luckily, the agent approving their license was retiring in a week and he signed off on their permit. The rest is history.
Growing more every year
Today that dream is producing more than 50,000 cases of Pitorro, white and rum dark rum a year. They’ve toned down the strength of the illegal Pitorro but maintained the tradition of adding fresh fruit and spices to the bottles. Currently they offer 18 different Pitorro flavors and rums. They export about 40% of their production to the United States. Their white rum is aged to Rones de Puerto Rico standards which include aging in oak barrels for more than a year.
Try all 18 Pitorros and rums on their tour
Destilería Coquí offers hour and a half tours of their facilities in Mayagüez. You learn about their history, view their facilities and finish at the bar where you get to try a small sample of every one of their products including the famous Pitorro de Coco, Pitorro de Café and their overproof aged rum, Carjacker. Don’t expect a flashy, media intensive showcase. This is a more authentic experience where you can appreciate the great flavor blends, the unique personality of the brand, and its founders.
Destilería Coquí Inc. is the largest Artisan Rum distillery on the island, and is 100% family-owned. Today, thanks to the pioneering work of Destilería Coquí, the number of artisan rum distilleries has grown to more than six.
You can buy their products at the distillery, at most supermarkets and even at the duty free store before you board you plane. Go for the Café and obviously their Pitorro de Coco. They also have distribution in the States, generally areas with high concentration of hispanics.
Reserve you tour at: Destileriacoqui.com
Or call them directly- 787-805-1000
https://www.facebook.com/destileriacoquiinc?
Monday to Friday- 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday- 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday Closed
