Heritage
Environment
Environment
Quality
Quality
Our Heritage
At Don Q, our Heritage shows up at the Destilería Serrallés every single day.
Our company's legacy is a living force that drives our constant quest to perfect the art of rum making. It is the collective wisdom passed down through six generations of the Serrallés family through over 150 years at our craft.
Our commitment to the people and techniques that define Don Q have made us the unquestionable favorite in the land of rum: Puerto Rico. Now available in the U.S., we are confident you’ll enjoy our steadfast devotion to the excellence of Don Q.
Don Juan Serrallés
Don Juan vastly expanded the family sugar cane business and founded the Serrallés rum making tradition. Using a copper pot still he imported from France, he produced the first casks of rum sold under the Serrallés name. He also founded the town of Mercedita, named after his wife, Mercedes. Don Juan laid the foundation not only for the Serrallés legacy, but for Puerto Rico becoming the world leader in rum production.
Félix J. Serrallés, Jr.
During his tenure as CEO of Destilería Serrallés (1981 – 2017), Félix Serrallés Jr. focused his efforts on the consolidation and expansion of the family business through significant investments and modernization. Under his guidance, Don Q rum returned to the U.S. after a decades long hiatus, expanded its range of products, and has adopted environmentally conscious production methods that have made a positive impact on local ecosystems.
Our Journey
c. 1820
Juan Sebastián Serrallés arrives from Spain and settles in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Soon after, he founds the Hacienda Teresa, a sugar cane plantation, and starts a family in Ponce.
1861
Don Juan Serrallés, the son of Juan Sebastián, founds the Hacienda Mercedita, a sugar cane plantation named after his wife, Mercedes.
1865
Don Juan Serrallés produces his first casks of rum using a copper pot still imported from France. Also during this year, he makes his first sale—the Serrallés rum making tradition begins.
Early 1930s
Don Juan Serrallés’ son, Juan Eugenio Serrallés, completes the construction of Castillo Serrallés on a hill overlooking Ponce. The estate serves as the family headquarters for 70 years.
1933
Prohibition ends in the United States, including Puerto Rico. Party Time!
1934
The Don Q brand is launched for the general marketplace. The Brand is named for Don Quixote, the famous literary character from the family’s favorite novel. Just as Don Quixote represents the search for a perfect world, Don Q signifies the family’s quest for perfection in rum making.
1935
A new, large-scale distillery featuring modern equipment is built at Mercedita. The company continues to expand under Juan Eugenio Serrallés.
1940s – 1960s
Uncle Tito rents an entire island, “Isla Caja de Muerto” off the coast of Ponce. Here, he hosts notoriously fabulous parties featuring his own rum label, “Uncle Tito’s Pirate Rum.”
1954
Ramon “Monchito” Marrero creates the Piña Colada using Don Q Rum. As the head bartender at the world-famous Beachcomber Bar at the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan, he wows the 1950s Jet Set with this original cocktail.
1978
Don Q Cristal is introduced. The pure, light, and delectable character of Don Q Cristal makes it ideal for a wide range of refreshing cocktails, such as the Don Q Mojito.
1981
Felix J. Serrallés Jr. assumes leadership of the Destilería Serrallés and begins a period of sustained growth and innovation that continues through today.
1985
Serrallés, Inc. acquires Puerto Rican Distillers, Inc., greatly expanding its range of brands.
1998
Don Q introduces its first flavored rum, Don Q Limón, and immediately begins receiving awards for quality.
2001
The Castillo Serrallés is sold to the City of Ponce for a nominal fee, and now serves the public as a museum and cultural venue.
2004
Roberto Serrallés joins the family company after completing his PhD in Environmental Sciences. He applies his expertise to create the innovative waste reclamation process that makes Don Q one of the greenest spirits producers in the world.
2006
The Don Q brand is re-launched in the USA.
2017 – Present
World Spirits Award - Gold Award
