Bacardi appoints new global master rum blender

Global spirits group Bacardi has appointed a new global master blender for its ubiquitous rum brand.

Astrophel "Troy" Arquiza will take over the role from his mentor José Gomez, who is retiring after 41 years with Bacardi.

Originally from thee Philippines, Arquiza has spent more than two decades working at family-owned group Bacardi, honing his craft as a rum blender.

In his new role, Arquiza joins a presitigous line of Bacardi 'maestros de ron' which began when Don Facundo Bacardí Massó created Bacardí Carta Blanca almost 160 years ago. He will head up a team of rum blenders at the Casa Bacardí in Cataño, Puertro Rico, the world's largest rum distillery.

Jean-Marc Lambert, Bacardi's senior vice president of global operations, said: "Troy has everything it takes to be a truly amazing master blender: an eye for quality, deep knowledge and love of the rum-making process, respect for the past and a vision for the future. It is an exciting and hiistoric moment as he becomes the maestro de ron for Bacardi."

Arquiza said: "It is truly an honour and privilege to become the global master blender for Bacardí rum. Rum making is an art as much as it is a science, and it is a dream come true to be able to spend every day practising that art as we create Bacardí rum under the Caribbean sun."

11 November 2021 - Bethany Whymark