Discovering Belize’s Liquid Gold: Don Omario’s Vintage Rum

February 4, 2024
by Larry Waight +

In the world of rum, where the Eastern Caribbean islands have long held the spotlight with their rich distillery traditions, a quiet revolution is taking place. Among the few notable exceptions from the western side of the Caribbean Basin, like Guatemala’s Ron Zacapa and Nicaragua’s Flor de Caña, Belize is emerging as a contender that’s hard to ignore. This beautiful country, nestled on the Caribbean coast of Central America, is not just a paradise for nature lovers and adventurers but is also carving out a niche for itself among rum aficionados.

Belize’s rum story, led by the pioneering efforts of Travellers Liquors, is as rich and complex as the spirit itself. This company, which has been at the forefront of the country’s rum production for decades, is witnessing the rise of new boutique brands that are making waves. Among these, Copalli stands out as a sugarcane-juice rum distilled in the heart of the southern Belizean rainforest, while Tiburon, a collaboration with Travellers, is winning hearts in places like Ambergris Caye. This, coupled with a growing appetite for Belizean rum among independent bottlers, signifies a shift in attention back to the rums of Belize, whose modern era began in the 1950s with the inception of Travellers from its origins as a bar.

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The crown jewel of Belize’s rum offerings is undoubtedly Travellers’ Don Omario’s Vintage Rum. Named after the company’s founder, Don Omario Perdomo, this 10-year aged rum is a testament to the excellence of Belizean rum-making. If you’re ever in Belize, chances are you’ll find Don Omario’s on the top shelf of any bar with a decent rum collection, or in the best liquor stores and Duty-Free shops around. It’s the standard-bearer of premium Belizean rum, a beacon of quality that’s both accessible and exceptional.

What’s so special about Don Omario’s Vintage Rum? From the first whiff, it entices with aromas of apricot and a subtle touch of cacao, leading into a palate filled with flavors of vanilla, crème brûlée, and a light sprinkle of confectioner’s sugar. The finish is both bold and smooth, with layers of caramel and coffee bean that round out the experience. It’s a rum that, while sharing some flavor notes with its Bajan cousins, proudly stands out as a true Belizean classic.

Don Omario’s Vintage Rum transcends the ordinary; it’s a celebration of the finesse and depth of Belize’s rum culture. It invites rum enthusiasts to expand their palates, to explore beyond the familiar territories, and to savor the unique and distinguished flavors that Belize, and particularly Don Omario, has to offer. So, here’s to turning our sights westward, to the discovery of Belize’s liquid treasure that is as captivating as the land itself.