El Supremo Rum, the multi-award-winning spirit from Paraguay’s historic national distillery (founded 1909), officially arrives on UK shores this month.
Representing the pinnacle of Paraguayan craftsmanship, El Supremo introduces British spirits enthusiasts to Caña Paraguaya, a distinct national style of rum that bridges indigenous tradition with modern luxury.
While rhum agricole is fermented from fresh sugarcane juice, Caña Paraguaya goes a step further. The process begins with 100% pure sugarcane juice, slowly reduced over an open fire for nine hours to create a rich miel de caña (sugarcane honey). This rare, labour-intensive method intensifies aroma, creating a unique depth and elegance.
El Supremo Rum is shaped by the philosophy of Ñande Reko (‘our way of being’) – the indigenous Guaraní principle rooted in patience, balance and respect for nature. Central to its identity is the use of Incienso Marrón, a native wood used for centuries by the Guaraní that imparts extraordinary aroma, softness and complexity to the spirit.
This ancestral knowledge, passed down through generations, became known as ‘The Secret of the Guaraní’.
El Supremo undergoes a distinct double-cask maturation process, initially in uniquely Paraguayan Incienso Marrón, which imparts its signature floral smoothness and then in French oak, which adds layers of nuanced complexity and balance. El Supremo employs static ageing rather than the solera blending, ensuring every drop reflects the true age of the rum and the subtropical terroir of Paraguay.
“Launching El Supremo in the UK is deeply personal to me and is the realisation of a dream that began many years ago, when, after long days working in the fields with vaqueros, sipping El Supremo rum and relaxing as the sun set. I realised that my mission would be to share the best Paraguayan rum with the rest of the world,” says El Supremo Rum CEO Filippo Maria Olivi (above). “The UK rum scene has deep roots and is one of the most sophisticated in the world. We know spirits enthusiasts here appreciate authenticity, and El Supremo offers something truly different, a rum shaped by terroir, Incienso Marrón wood, fire and five centuries of heritage.
“It is a legacy passed down by the Guaraní, a philosophy El Supremo Rum honours and preserves to this day.”
Today El Supremo Rum is enjoyed in over 20 countries across Europe and North America, steadily building a reputation as one of the most distinctive premium rums on the global stage. El Supremo arrives in the UK backed by a string of international awards earned for its premium quality, craftsmanship, smoothness and superb flavour.
Whether sipped neat over ice or as the base for high-quality cocktails, El Supremo stands as a testament to Paraguay’s 1909 national distillery and its enduring mission to preserve the legacy of Caña Paraguaya.
El Supremo 5-Year-Old, 8-Year-Old, 12-Year-Old and 18-Year-Old rums are now available in the UK. Retailers include:
El Supremo Rum 5-year-old, RRP GBP35.95
- Nose – Lively, honey, bitter chocolate
- Palate – Supple and delicate. toffee, spice, black pepper
- Finish – Warmly peppery with vanilla sweetness and a clean, spicy finish
El Supremo Rum 8-Year-Old, RRP GBP49.95
- Nose – Spicy and sweet with a warming scent of cinnamon, clove, and a hint of wood
- Palate – Spicy and dry, with notes of cocoa, caramel, and a distinct, mineral funk
- Finish – A long, supple finish with a clean, warming note of spiced cocoa. A long, supple finish with a clean, warming note of spiced cocoa
El Supremo Rum 12-Year-Old, RRP GBP58.95
- Nose – Polished and complex, with aromas of clove, cinnamon, and vanilla, leading to a note of aged wood
- Palate – A sweet and wood-forward rum with rich notes of vanilla, butterscotch and milk chocolate
- Finish – A fiery finish of red pepper flake and a touch of vanilla
El Supremo Rum 18-Year-Old, RRP GBP98.95
- Nose – A complex bouquet of dried apricot, cherry, and roasted tea with notes of oak and dark chocolate
- Palate – A velvety palate of sweet dried fruit and rich oak, leading to a smoky finish of caramel and honeycomb
- Finish – A long finish of dark chocolate, espresso, and leather with a hint of honey
