Don Q facts for kids
A bottle of Ron Don Q - Cristal
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| Inventor | Juan Serrallés Colón |
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| Inception | 1865 |
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Don Q is a well-known product from Puerto Rico. It is made by a company called Destilería Serrallés in Ponce, Puerto Rico. This company handles everything from making the product to packaging and selling it.
Don Q is a very popular product in Puerto Rico. It is the top-selling item of its kind there. The name "Don Q" comes from Don Quixote, a famous character in a Spanish novel by Miguel de Cervantes. This product is sold in many countries around the world. It has been available in the United States since June 2009.
Contents
The Company's Beginnings
The Serrallés family moved to Puerto Rico from Catalonia, Spain, in the 1830s. They started a large sugar cane farm near Ponce. They were very good at growing sugar cane and turning it into sugar. This sugar was then sold to countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.
Their farm became very successful and grew into a large operation. It had its own rail lines and homes for workers. It also had its own transportation and a store. Later, it even had a private airport, which is now Mercedita Airport in Ponce.
Making the Product Since 1865
In 1865, the Serrallés family opened a factory on their farm, called "Hacienda Mercedita". That year, Juan Serrallés brought a special machine from France. This machine helped him make his first batches of the product. He became one of Puerto Rico's most successful sellers of this type of product.
The Serrallés company made several local products over the years. Many of these were not sold for very long. The family then decided to create a special brand to sell to other countries. The Don Q brand was launched in 1932. It quickly became popular with people in Puerto Rico. They often preferred it over other brands.
By the 1960s, Don Q products were sold in most major supermarkets in Puerto Rico. You could find them in stores like Pueblo and Amigo.
How Don Q is Made
Don Q is made from sugar cane. The way it tastes depends on several things. These include the type of yeast used for fermentation. It also depends on how it is distilled and how long it is aged.
The Production Steps
The process starts with molasses, which comes from sugar cane. Water, mash, and yeast are added. Don Q is made using a continuous still, which is a type of machine for purifying liquids.
After this step, the clear liquid is put into oak barrels. It stays there for up to a year, as required by Puerto Rican law. This aging process gives the product its golden color and special qualities. If any flavors or spices are added, it happens at this stage. The unique taste of Don Q comes from a secret recipe. This recipe is mixed into the product at the very end of its creation.
Sales and Advertising
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Today, Don Q is sold in many places. These include the United States, Mexico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Spain. It is the top-selling product of its kind in Puerto Rico.
Destileria Serrallés has done many advertising campaigns for its products. They have shown TV ads on channels in Puerto Rico. They have also sponsored local sports teams. These include Ponce's Leones de Ponce baseball team. They also sponsored the Leones de Ponce basketball team. Don Q products have also appeared in some films.
Awards and Recognitions
Don Q products have won many awards in international competitions. Even though they are often sold at a mid-range price, five out of seven Don Q products have been very successful. For example, Don Q Gran Añejo won a double gold medal. It also won two silver and one bronze medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competitions between 2008 and 2012.
More Awards for Don Q
In 2010, Don Q also did very well at the Spirits International Prestige (SIP) Awards. This event took place in San Diego, California. Don Q Añejo, Don Q Gran Añejo, Don Q Cristal, Don Q Coco, Don Q Mojito, and Don Q Limón all won awards. They received "Platinum-Best in Class" and "Gold" awards. According to Alberto "Tito" Torruella Bartolomei, a VP at Don Q, all their products entered in this competition won awards. The SIP Awards are special because consumers, not experts, are the judges.
Destilería Serrallés has won international awards before. In a competition in Las Vegas, Nevada, Don Q Cristal won the top award for "Best Mojito." Don Q Oro also received an award.
In September 2011, the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences gave Don Q Gran Añejo a five-star rating. This is a very rare honor. Don Q Gran Añejo was the first product of its kind to receive this special award. The Academy recognized Destilería Serrallés for the excellent quality of Don Q Gran Añejo.
Don Q Products
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Don Q has made many different types of products over the years:
- Don Q Cristal
- Don Q Limón (Lime Flavored Product)
- Don Q Pasión (Passion Fruit Flavored Product)
- Don Q Coco (Coconut Flavored Product)
- Don Q Mojito (Lime & Mint Flavored Product)
- Don Q Gold
- Don Q 151
- Don Q Añejo
- Don Q Gran Añejo
- Don Q Double Aged Product
- Don Q Signature Release Single Barrel 2007
- Don Q Oak Barrel Spiced
Small sample bottles of Don Q products are also available. You can find them in supermarkets, pharmacies, and special stores.
See also
