Havana Club Rum

Havana Club is an iconic brand of rum that holds a complex and dual identity in the global market. Originally established in Cárdenas, Cuba, in 1934 by José Arechabala, the brand became a symbol of Cuban heritage. Following the Cuban Revolution in 1959, the distillery was nationalized by the Cuban government, leading to a long-standing legal dispute over the trademark.

Today, there are two distinct versions of Havana Club. The internationally recognized version is produced in Cuba through a joint venture between the state-owned Cuba Ron S.A. and the French spirits giant Pernod Ricard. This authentic Cuban rum is aged in white oak barrels and exported to over 120 countries, though it is prohibited in the United States due to the embargo. Meanwhile, for the American market, Bacardi produces a separate line of Havana Club rum in Puerto Rico, based on the original recipe acquired from the Arechabala family.