Destilería Serrallés facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Industry | Distilled beverages |
| Founded | Ponce, Captaincy General of Puerto Rico (1865) |
| Headquarters | Ponce, Puerto Rico |
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Key people
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Félix Juan Serrallés, Jr. President and CEO (1990? - c. 2019) Philippe Brechot (c. 2019 - present) |
| Products | Rum, vodka, medicinal alcohol |
| Revenue | $114.24 M USD(July 2011 |
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Number of employees
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400, over 600 on payroll |
Destilería Serrallés is a company in Ponce, Puerto Rico, famous for making Don Q rum. It is the oldest family-owned business in Puerto Rico. The company earns over $100 million each year. In 2011, its rum sales in the United States alone added over $300 million to Puerto Rico's economy.
Contents
A Family's Journey: The History of Serrallés
The story of Destilería Serrallés begins with the Serrallés family. This Spanish family came from Catalonia and settled in Puerto Rico in the mid-1830s. They became very good at growing and processing cane sugar. They sold their sugar to countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.
Building a Sugar Empire
The family's sugar cane farm grew into a large community. It had its own rail lines, homes for workers, and even a private airport. This airport later became Mercedita Airport in Ponce. Today, the Serrallés facility still turns sugar cane molasses into rum. This has been happening for over a century.
Mercedita: Where Rum Production Began
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In 1865, the Serrallés family started making rum at their farm. They called it "Hacienda Mercedita" to honor the family's mother, Mercedes Perez. That year, Juan Serralles Colon brought a special machine from France. This machine helped him make his very first barrels of rum.
Don Q: A Popular Puerto Rican Rum
The Serrallés company made several rum brands over the years. In 1932, they launched a new, special brand called Ron Don Q. They wanted to sell this rum outside of Puerto Rico. Don Q quickly became popular with people in Puerto Rico. Many preferred it over other brands. By the 1960s, Ron Don Q was sold in most major supermarkets. Besides rum, the company also makes medicinal alcohol, wine, and vodka.
Growing Bigger: Buying Other Companies
In 1985, Serrallés, Inc. bought another company called Puerto Rico Distillers, Inc. This was a big step for the company. It helped Serrallés grow much faster. They gained new products like Palo Viejo, Ron Llave, and Granado. This purchase also doubled the company's sales. Serrallés also got the rights to make and sell "Ronrico" and "Captain Morgan" in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
Captain Morgan's Connection
For a time, Serrallés produced Captain Morgan rum. Captain Morgan is one of the world's best-selling rums. This partnership helped Serrallés, Inc. more than double its sales. However, in 2008, the agreement to make Captain Morgan ended. The production of Captain Morgan moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Where Don Q is Sold
Ron Don Q, the company's main product, is sold in many places. You can find it in the United States, Mexico, the Virgin Islands, Spain, and other countries. Serrallés USA, which handles distribution in the USA, is located in Stamford, Connecticut.
Awards and Recognition
Destilería Serrallés has received many awards. They won the Green Award from The Drinks Business magazine. This was for using renewable energy in their factories. In 2019, they also received the World Class Distillery prize from the World Spirit Awards.
Advertising and Sponsorships
Ron Don Q has been part of many advertising campaigns. Their TV ads have been on Puerto Rican channels for decades. The brand has also supported local sports teams. These include the baseball team Leones de Ponce and their BSN basketball team. The Serrallés company also sponsors the "Copa Serralles" boat race, where Don Q is advertised. Don Q rum has even appeared in movies.
Serrallés Today
As of 2025, Philippe Brechot is the president and CEO of Destilería Serrallés. The company makes over 60% of the rum sold in Puerto Rico. By 1998, Serrallés, Inc.'s yearly sales were over $100 million. The company has grown into a large business that makes and sells more than 80 different products worldwide.
Since 2000, the Grupo Serralles, which includes the distillery, also owns the Ponce Hilton & Casino. Destilería Serrallés is one of America's 100 oldest family-owned businesses.
See also
In Spanish: Destilería Serrallés para niños
- Juan Serralles
- Castillo Serrallés
- Don Q
- Ponce, Puerto Rico
