Cihuatan Rum, inspired by the Maya

31 January 2025 | Interviews & Meetings
Cihuatan Rum, inspired by the Maya
Interview with Javier Houdelot, ambassador of Cihuatan rums.
Hello, thank you for granting us an interview. Cihuatan is a relatively young brand. Can you tell us its story?

Of course, it is an honor to share our story with you. Cihuatán was born from the desire to capture the spirit of El Salvador and share it with the world. In 2004, we started this dream in the heart of the Cihuatán valley, surrounded by landscapes imbued with the legends of our land. From the very beginning, we had a clear mission: to create the ambassador rum of El Salvador in the world. Thus, in addition to being an excellent rum, it had to represent our Salvadoran culture.

Our vision was to create a rum that tells the stories of our country, we waited a decade to perfect our aging process before unveiling them in our first bottle in 2015. Today, Ron Cihuatán travels the world sharing its Salvadoran identity, a country that, though small in size, is great in its dreams, creativity, and culture.

How is Cihuatan rum produced?

Our rums are the result of a deep passion and immense respect for our land. We control every step of the process: from the cultivation of our own sugarcane to distillation, aging, and bottling. It all begins with the richness of Salvadoran soils, which confer exceptional quality to our sugarcane. During fermentation, we strive to create unique aromas that evoke the sweetness of sugarcane. Next, we distill the rum according to two distinct profiles: one with low congeners and the other with a higher content, allowing us to create a complex and versatile range. Aging takes place in carefully selected barrels, primarily former bourbon casks, among which are the exclusive casks made from ceiba wood, a sacred tree in Mayan culture. At every stage, we seek to honor our roots and tell the legends of our land through each sip.

Does your rum contain added sugar?

Some of our rums contain a small amount of added sugar to balance the flavors, while complying with all international regulations. Our approach is to highlight the natural characteristics of rum, allowing the flavors of Salvadoran sugarcane and the notes from the barrels to tell our story.

The Cellars of Cihuatan
The Cellars of Cihuatan
The sugarcane fields
The sugarcane fields
Can you present your range to us?

Each rum has its own personality and draws inspiration from a unique aspect of our traditions. For example:

Cihuatán Índigo 8 years: This rum is inspired by the first aromas discovered when smelling a rum aged in bourbon casks. It stands out for its notes of vanilla, dried fruits, spices, and even chocolate, making it extremely pleasant and versatile. Its packaging tells the legend of Tláloc, the Maya god of rain.

Cihuatán Cinabrio 12 years: Inspired by the legend of the god Kinich Ahau, it reveals warm notes of sugar cane, wood, and dried fruits. It is ideal for those seeking an elegant rum full of character.

Cihuatán Xamán XO: Our most precious treasure, the only one in the world aged in Maya Ceiba casks, a barrel designed in El Salvador exclusively for this rum. Inspired by the legend of the god Xamán, who, according to Maya tradition, would rest during the day on the branches of a Maya Ceiba tree, this story led us to experiment with this unique wood and to offer our rums a complexity found nowhere else.

Each of these rums is an invitation to discover the legends of El Salvador.

You place a lot of importance on packaging. Can you tell us what it represents?

The packaging of each of our rums is meant to be a tribute to the cultural richness of El Salvador. Each design is carefully crafted to tell a Maya legend, from the symbols on each label to the choice of colors. 

For example, the rum Cihuatán Índigo is inspired by the legend of Tláloc, the Maya god of rain. That is why its color palette is dominated by blue, and its various symbols illustrate the valley of Cihuatán under the rain. 

We want each bottle to be a work of art, inviting you to discover not only an exceptional rum but also the soul of our land.

Which bottle should we start with to discover the Cihuatan range?

For those who want to take their first steps into the world of Ron Cihuatán, I recommend starting with Cihuatán Índigo 8 years. It’s a versatile rum full of character, perfect for enjoying on its own or in a cocktail.

However, if you are looking for a more intense and unique experience, Cihuatán Xamán XO will transport you to the heart of our Mayan legends.

Whatever your choice, we are sure you will fall under the charm of the magic of Cihuatán.

The sugarcane fields before the harvest
The sugarcane fields before the harvest

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Interview conducted by

Matthieu Lange
Spirits Consultant