Description
According to the testimony of his descendants, at the end of the 18th Century the Hacienda Botucal bore witness to Don Juancho Nieto Melendez’s burning passion for exploring the sources and processes responsible for the many alluring flavors of traditional beverages. He was particularly interested in artisanal production methods that, in spite of remaining relatively constant, were capable of yielding a wide variety of distinctly different outcomes. He was fascinated by the subtle complexities of the many environmental factors that affect the rum-making process, such as the weather and humidity of the tropics. A craftsman at heart, Don Juancho tirelessly looked for ways to refine his own product by sampling an exhaustive array of exotic liquors and rums. In fact his impressive collection of beverages became quite famous, coming to be known amongst his friends as ”The Ambassador’s Reserves,” a clear reference to its owner’s class and good nature. Don Juancho carefully studied the production methods employed in Jamaica, which at the time set the world standard for the manufacture and appreciation of rum. He would also draw inspiration from the islands of the Antilles, discovering and improving upon many of their distillation and aging secrets. The sugar mill, with its traditional method of crushing the sugar cane, was a both trusty tool and a constant companion to Nieto Melendez.