Over a century before it appeared in the Caribbean, sugarcane had been farmed in the area surrounding the Arucas mountains in the North of Gran Canaria.

But, once the process of making rum had been discovered in Barbados in the 1700s, the Canary Islands sugarcane farmers had a new use for their crops.

The factory of San Pedro, the oldest in Europe, diversified from sugar and molasses production into distilling rum until its closure in the early 20th century.

In 1935 Don Alfredo Martin Reyes reopened the factory, renaming it as the 'Arehucas Distillery'.

Now known as 'the temple of rum', as well as being a working distillery, producing 3.5 million bottles, and holding 4300 barrels of rum, it also offers guided tours. Don Alfredo's statue still welcomes visitors to the site.

Guests are gently reminded that the smoking area is on the far side of the car park. Naked flames and alcohol fumes do not make a good mix!

The tour takes visitors through the 5 stages of rum production, from cane to bottle. The vast rows of casks emit a heady fragrance as we walked around.

Barrels elaborately carved, or simply signed, by the rich and famous, racked and carefully labelled as they age. (A list of celebrity customers is on the official Arehucas website.)

The tour concludes with a tasting. Up to eight varieties on offer, or for an extra 7 euros, the chance to sample the finest rums, including the £180 (UK price) Captain Kidd 30 year old single barrel golden rum. (The €7 is refundable…. if you are fortunate enough to be able to afford a bottle from the gift shop!)

For us mere mortals, the regular brands are (rather surprisingly) priced much cheaper than in local shops and the duty free concessions in the airport.

Be rude not to, really…..

FWR

29.05.23 Front Page

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