Description
Bacardi 151 is a piece of rum history you can still hold. It was bottled at 151 proof, or 75.5% ABV. That is close to twice the strength of most rums. Bacardi made it at Casa Bacardi in Cataño, Puerto Rico, and sold it from at least 1963. Production ended in 2016, and bottles have been collector’s items ever since.
So why did it disappear? The short answer is fire. At this strength the rum is highly flammable. Every bottle came with a stainless steel flame arrester in the neck. Bacardi says the risk led to a situation that “escalated,” so it stopped making the rum.
The rum is distilled from molasses. Open the bottle and sharp alcohol heat comes first, with light molasses behind it. On the palate it is intense and warming. Molasses and caramel push through, with a quick flash of sweetness under the heat. The finish is long and warm, and that heat stays with you.
The 151 became a cult bottle for bartenders and tiki fans. Plenty of rum lovers still hunt for one today.
Treat it with respect, and keep it well away from any flame. Bartenders used small amounts as a float on tiki drinks like the Zombie and the Hurricane. A little goes a long way in a rum punch, too. Many collectors simply keep the bottle sealed. If you love rum history, it makes a rare gift or a proud shelf piece.
