New Philippines rum brand Don Papa introduced to travel retail

Philippines-made Don Papa Small Batch Rum

The Bleeding Heart Rum Company, founded by former Rémy Martin executive Stephen Carroll, has launched Philippines-made Don Papa Small Batch Rum into duty free in a new one-litre format.

Following its successful introduction in the Philippines domestic market last July, Don Papa small batch rum is now available in Philippines Duty Free in an exclusive one-litre format.

Described as 100% made in the Philippines, Don Papa Rum is made with fine, sweet sugar cane grown on the rich soils of the southern island of Negros. The molasses are then distilled before being aged for over seven years in American oak in the foothills of Mount Kanlaon. The rum is then charcoal filtered to remove any tannins and impurities before being blended.

The combination of the soil, the quality of the sugar cane, the ageing in oak and the blender’s skill gives Don Papa a rich, smooth taste, according to the company. Light and fruity on the nose, smooth and delicate in the mouth with a long textured finish, Don Papa has a light amber colour and offers flavours of vanilla, honey and candied fruits.

The rum is packaged in a bottle with eye-catching design and a stopper made from real cork. The one-litre version also features an attractive canister, specially designed for the gift market.

To capitalise on the rum’s mixing potential, the Bleeding Heart Rum Company has worked with Kathryn Eckstein, a young creative mixologist, to produce a range of cocktails made from Philippine ingredients. Kapag Serious Ka is her take on the famous Caprioska. The recipe includes a shot of Don Papa, some crushed calamansi (baby limes), a little muscovado sugar and a splash of soda.

Said Bleeding Heart Rum Company founder Stephen Carroll: “Following on from our launch in the Philippines domestic market, we are delighted to introduce the brand to Philippines Duty Free. It is a prime market for Don Papa Rum, with its mixture of tourist, expatriate and local consumers, and we are looking forward to have them discover this wonderful rum and to help establish the Philippines as a growing player in the premium spirits market.”

He added that the brand was launched into all Philippine Duty Free stores just before Christmas.

The name of the rum itself was inspired by the story of a man widely known as Papa Isio, one of the lesser known figures of the Philippine revolution against the Spanish. Described as an island patriot, nationalist, leader of a guerrilla cult and fighter for social justice, Papa Isio briefly led his island to independence before joining the main revolutionary movement.

About Don Papa Rum

Don Papa is a premium aged small batch rum from Negros Occidental, Philippines. Distilled from some of the finest sugar cane in the world, Don Papa is first aged seven years in oak barrels in the foothills of Mount Kanlaon before being blended.

For details, contact stephen@bleedingheartrum.com

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