The Caribbean’s Newest Rum Is a Premium Expression from Puerto Rico

Bacardi.

Don Q. Ron del Barrilito.

For decades, these have been the three major power players in the world of Puerto Rican rum, on an island where rum is an integral part of the culture. In recent years, though, the Puerto Rican rum industry has quietly been undergoing a renaissance, with upstart distilleries and blenders (like the agricole-style San Juan Artisan Distillers, most notably), tapping into growing appreciation for artisanal, aged spirits — and a thirst for creativity.

The newest one is called Sonrisa, and it’s got some serious star power behind it, including both Fat Joe and entrepreneur Sharif Malnik, launching earlier in 2025. So far, there are three expressions: a white rum (aged one year) called Platino; a golden rum called “Oro,” and a more premium expression called “Reserva” that’s aged for a minimum of three years.

I tried the Sonrisa Reserva, which is the flagship of the brand right now. So what’s it like?

The nose is unmistakably Puerto Rican: a little vanilla, some oak and a hint of almond. The flavor profile is marked by notes of mango, nutmeg, licorice, banana, cloves and a whisper of stone fruit and cane stalk.

It’s well balanced and smooth for a younger rum, with a velvety — but delicate — mouthfeel. Plainly, this is a very nice rum (I tastedd it neat, and it would work quite well with an ice cube), and for a three-year-old expression, it’s remarkably elegant.

It’s a very auspicious start for a new brand, and an exciting addition to the landscape of Caribbean rum. Rum Journal Review: