For the Puerto Rican sipping rum brand Ron del Barrilito, honoring their rich heritage is at the heart of every decision they make. That’s why the brand is proud to introduce their new cork bar-top packaging on their 2 Star and 3 Star bottles. While the new top will look new to most, it’s actually a return to the brand’s roots. In the 19th century, Ron del Barrilito used cork closures, so this move brings the brand back to its original cork and wood top closure, while preserving the look and feel of the premium and recognizable bottles.
With a 142-year history of using the same aging process to craft every bottle of their world-class, smooth-tasting sipping rum, brand integrity, tradition and maintaining their ultra-premium position within the spirits space comes first. Ron del Barrilito is the only brand that has been aging rum for this long, so change for the brand is rare – especially with regard to process, labels and products.
“Ours is an iconic brand that prides itself on its heritage and most importantly, its rum,” Maggie Matias, Chief Commercial Executive at Ron del Barrilito. “Never has Ron del Barrilito been recognized because of a fancy bottle, elegant shape, closure or elaborate packaging. It has always been and will continue to be about the super-premium rum that is inside of the bottle, utilizing our artisanal methods that haven’t changed in nearly 150 years.”
Aesthetically, the main label on the front will remain unchanged, as to respect the original label that has been in place since 1880. The changes come in the addition of a neck label, reinforcing the iconic images of the brand through the Ron del Barrilito Nymph logo and the founder’s initials, P.F., along with the new closure being a wooden top with a synthetic cork underneath to seal the bottle. Atop the wooden closure, an engraving that reads “Est. 1880” is also added to the new bottles, with the cork top allowing for easier pouring with its rounded lip.
Currently, Ron del Barrilito has active distribution in around 30 states. So far, distribution of the new cork finish bottles is well underway in the brands native Puerto Rico and has commenced in Europe. In the United States, the bottles are currently on liquor store shelves and in bars and restaurants throughout most key markets, with full distribution expected to be complete by the end of September.
