Ron de Guatemala

Ron de Guatemala represents the Protected Designation of Origin (Denominación de Origen Protegida) for Guatemalan rum, established as the first rum in the Americas to receive EU recognition for its protected designation of origin status. The organization oversees the production and quality standards for premium Guatemalan rums produced in the unique terroir of Guatemala's South Coast, specifically in the departments of Retalhuleu and Suchitepéquez. The designation encompasses 3,252 hectares of unique vertisol soils found in only 2% of the Earth's surface, creating optimal conditions for sugar cane cultivation. Ron de Guatemala producers utilize virgin cane honey (miel virgen de caña) as their base material, making them part of only 3% of rums worldwide produced from pure sugar cane juice rather than molasses. The production process features the distinctive Solera aging system conducted at over 2,300 meters above sea level in the Guatemalan highlands, using white oak barrels and previously wine-seasoned casks. The organization represents multiple premium rum brands including Botran and Zacapa, which have earned numerous international awards including gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, World Rum Awards, and International Rum Festival competitions. Ron de Guatemala has achieved the distinction of being the world's first sustainable rum production chain, certified through ISCC sustainability standards across all operational units since 2017. The designation serves over 120 countries worldwide and is administered by ANFAL (Asociación Nacional de Fabricantes de Alcoholes y Licores de Guatemala) and overseen by a regulatory council that ensures quality consistency and production standards. The organization utilizes four specific sugar cane varieties - La Reina (CP72-2086), La Chapina (CG98-78), La Señorita (CP73-1547), and La Morena (CP88-1165) - selected for their optimal saccharose concentration and unique characteristics that contribute to the distinctive flavor profiles of Guatemalan rums.