Diplomático – a super-premium rum brand renowned for its superior taste, quality and mixability – is honored to announce its win as the Wine Star’s “Spirit Brand of the Year.” Each year, Wine Enthusiast’s distinguished Wine Star Awards recognizes companies and individuals whose vision has impacted the wine and spirits industry. Diplomático is thrilled to be a part of such an esteemed group as the first-ever rum to win this category. Produced by Destilerías Unidas S.A. (DUSA) in Venezuela, Diplomático is an independent, family-owned brand recognized as one of the finest rums in the world.
Jose Rafael Ballesteros, Diplomático’s CEO says, “We are truly humbled by this award as it recognizes our contribution to elevate the rum category and make consumers re-evaluate their perception of rum. This is an ongoing goal as we work toward being not just the best premium rum globally, but also one of the greatest spirits in the world.”
Diplomático’s delicious and distinctive taste profile is the result of a unique rum-making process. The rums are distilled using a rich variety of methods, which allows its award-winning Master Blenders to create exquisite blends, including Reserva Exclusiva, the brand’s flagship sipping rum.
The high quality of Diplomático is upheld by its most valuable resource, its people. The company’s growth has always been alongside its employees and their families, supported by a long-standing commitment to protect the community and ecosystem surrounding the distillery. The company provides sustainable jobs for over 700 workers in Venezuela and has developed strong social programs to improve the quality of life and growth of its human talents while minimizing environmental impact.
“We’re in the midst of a rum revolution,” says Adam Strum, Editor and Publisher, Wine Enthusiast Magazine. “We chose Diplomático Rum for the Wine Star award, not only for its supreme quality but also because we admire their leadership in educating spirits lovers about the ways in which we can mix premium rum, and sip it too. Being a family-owned business ourselves, Diplomático’s commitment to family and work mirrors our philosophy, and we’re excited to welcome Diplomático to the Wine Star Awards family as the first-ever rum to win this award.”
Earlier this year, Diplomático announced E. & J. Gallo Winery as its exclusive U.S. distributor. As both companies embrace the same family and community values, they are excited to continue to grow and leverage each other’s expertise to expand Diplomático’s presence in the U.S. market.
“As their U.S. import partner, we congratulate Diplomático on this well-deserved recognition,” says Ernest Gallo, COO of E. & J. Gallo Winery. “Diplomático represents an important part of our growing luxury spirits portfolio as it transcends the rum category and introduces more premium spirits consumers to all that rum has to offer.”
Wine Enthusiast will officially award Diplomático Rum at the Wine Star Awards Gala on January 29th, 2019 in Miami at the Nobu Eden Roc Hotel.
About Rum Diplomático (http://www.ronDiplomático.com)
Diplomático, a family-owned brand inspired by the character of Don Juan Nieto Melendez, whose portrait is illustrated on its labels, is a premium-and-above rum from Venezuela. Located at the foot of the Andes Mountains, the Diplomático Distillery (producing top-quality spirits since 1959) combines traditional methods with modern technology to produce the finest of rums. The production area boasts great conditions for sugar cane and rum production including fertile lands, abundant water and a tropical weather. The team of award-winning Master Blenders works diligently to create unique and complex rums. The product range consists of the Tradition Range: Planas (aged up to 6 years), Mantuano (aged up to 8 years) and Reserva Exclusiva (aged up to 12 years), and the Prestige Line: Single Vintage and Ambassador, both aged 12 years and finished in Spanish sherry casks for one and two years respectively, and a Special Edition: The Distillery Collection featuring a Single Batch Kettle rum and a Single Barbet column rum.