In this episode of The Global Glug, I chat with Franz Sydow, founder of Papiamento Rum — a premium, small-batch rum brand based in Aruba. Franz takes us through his fascinating journey from Venezuela to the Caribbean island he now calls home, where he and his brothers launched Aruba’s first artisanal rum distillery.

We talk about the challenges of starting a distillery on a small island, sourcing rum from Panama, aging barrels just meters from the sea, and what it means to blend language, culture, and spirit into a single bottle. Franz also shares how they’re creating a full experience: rum tastings, chocolate pairings, even B&B apartments at the distillery.

 Topics we cover:

The story behind the name Papiamento

Blending and aging rum in Aruba’s climate

Building a distillery in a country with no legal framework

The shift from sourcing to local production

Rum tourism and converting bourbon lovers

Why this is more than just a rum brand — it’s a lifestyle

Learn more at Papiamento Rum's website or follow Papiamento Rum on Instagram

About The Global Glug

The Global Glug is a podcast exploring the people, places, and ideas shaping the future of rum and sugarcane spirits.

Through conversations with distillers, founders, and industry voices from around the world, the show goes beyond the bottle to uncover the stories behind the spirits.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast to never miss a new conversation from the global rum community.

Sharing the podcast with fellow rum lovers, bartenders, and spirits enthusiasts helps the show grow and keeps these conversations alive.

You can also support the podcast and help keep these conversations going here:

Explore more episodes and discover voices from across the rum world.

More information and episodes:

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What happens when the world’s third most-consumed spirit is still unknown to most drinkers outside its home country?

In this episode, I sit down with Leszek Wedzicha, founder of United Brazilian Distilleries and long-time advocate for artisanal Cachaça, to dive into the story behind Brazil’s most misunderstood spirit. From organizing the first-ever Cachaça Festival outside Brazil to traveling across the country in search of small, honest producers, Leszek shares his mission to bring high-quality Brazilian rum to the world — and the many cultural, legal, and marketing challenges that come with it.

We talk about terroir, native woods, regulations, sipping vs mixing, and why it’s so difficult to sell a product people can’t even pronounce. Plus, Leszek shares a few exciting releases — including a 35-year-old Cachaça aged in Balsam wood — and a surprising collaboration with Charanda producer Miriam in Mexico.

🎙️ Available now on all podcast platforms.

About The Global Glug

The Global Glug is a podcast exploring the people, places, and ideas shaping the future of rum and sugarcane spirits.

Through conversations with distillers, founders, and industry voices from around the world, the show goes beyond the bottle to uncover the stories behind the spirits.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast to never miss a new conversation from the global rum community.

Sharing the podcast with fellow rum lovers, bartenders, and spirits enthusiasts helps the show grow and keeps these conversations alive.

You can also support the podcast and help keep these conversations going here:

Explore more episodes and discover voices from across the rum world.

More information and episodes:

Follow The Global Glug:

En este episodio recibo a Miriam Paola Pacheco de Casa Tarasco para adentrarse en el mundo de la Charanda, una bebida espirituosa única de México. Juntos exploramos su definición, sus raíces históricas y los tradicionales métodos de producción que la distinguen. Miriam comparte la rica herencia de Casa Tarasco y su papel en la preservación de esta joya cultural.

La conversación también aborda temas como los retos en el cultivo de caña de azúcar, la importancia de los ingredientes locales y las innovaciones en el mercado, como la Charanda infusionada con hongos. Además, Miriam ofrece su visión sobre el futuro de esta bebida en el mercado global y la necesidad de adaptarse a las preferencias de los consumidores sin perder su esencia tradicional.

About The Global Glug

The Global Glug is a podcast exploring the people, places, and ideas shaping the future of rum and sugarcane spirits.

Through conversations with distillers, founders, and industry voices from around the world, the show goes beyond the bottle to uncover the stories behind the spirits.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast to never miss a new conversation from the global rum community.

Sharing the podcast with fellow rum lovers, bartenders, and spirits enthusiasts helps the show grow and keeps these conversations alive.

You can also support the podcast and help keep these conversations going here:

Explore more episodes and discover voices from across the rum world.

More information and episodes:

Follow The Global Glug:

There’s a quiet revolution brewing on Colombia’s Pacific coast—one that’s centuries in the making. It’s the story of Viche, a sugarcane spirit deeply rooted in Afro-Colombian tradition, and the movement to protect its legacy from exploitation, erasure, and industrialization.

In this episode, I sit down with John Coffey of La Vichería in Cali to explore the cultural and spiritual significance of Viche, a traditional Afro-Colombian spirit. We talk about:

We also explore:

-John’s unlikely journey—from filming documentaries in Caquetá to co-founding a Viche revolution in Cali

-The brutal reality of artisanal production (three-day canoe trips, hand-pressed sugarcane, jungle distilleries)

-Can Viche go global without losing its soul? The fine line between celebration and exploitation

-My own encounter with Viche in the Pacific—sipping curado under marimba music, learning from the Maestras

Links & Resources:

-Visit La Vichería website

-Learn about Petronio Álvarez Festival (August, Cali)

Have you tried Viche? What does cultural preservation in spirits mean to you? 

About The Global Glug

The Global Glug is a podcast exploring the people, places, and ideas shaping the future of rum and sugarcane spirits.

Through conversations with distillers, founders, and industry voices from around the world, the show goes beyond the bottle to uncover the stories behind the spirits.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast to never miss a new conversation from the global rum community.

Sharing the podcast with fellow rum lovers, bartenders, and spirits enthusiasts helps the show grow and keeps these conversations alive.

You can also support the podcast and help keep these conversations going here:

Explore more episodes and discover voices from across the rum world.

More information and episodes:

Follow The Global Glug:

In questo episodio, esploriamo la storia di Esperia Rhum, il progetto rivoluzionario di due giovani italiani, Manuel Barison e Francesco Crippa, che hanno deciso di sfidare le convenzioni creando un rum di altissima qualità… in Trentino!

Scopriremo:

Una storia di amicizia, innovazione e passione, che unisce il meglio dei Caraibi alla precisione italiana. Se ami i distillati o semplicemente apprezzi le storie di imprenditoria coraggiosa, questo episodio è per te.

Stay in the loop! Subscribe to our newsletter at The Global Glug so you never miss an episode.

About The Global Glug

The Global Glug is a podcast exploring the people, places, and ideas shaping the future of rum and sugarcane spirits.

Through conversations with distillers, founders, and industry voices from around the world, the show goes beyond the bottle to uncover the stories behind the spirits.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast to never miss a new conversation from the global rum community.

Sharing the podcast with fellow rum lovers, bartenders, and spirits enthusiasts helps the show grow and keeps these conversations alive.

You can also support the podcast and help keep these conversations going here:

Explore more episodes and discover voices from across the rum world.

More information and episodes:

Follow The Global Glug:

Nouvel épisode de The Global Glug! Aujourd’hui, je reçois Anna Ostrovskyj, œnologue et consultante technique spécialisée dans le rhum. Nous plongeons ensemble dans l’univers fascinant du rhum agricole, en abordant des sujets clés comme l'impact du changement climatique sur les récoltes, les différences entre l’AOC Martinique et Guadeloupe, l’évolution des techniques de fermentation et l’importance du terroir.

Anna partage son parcours, depuis son héritage familial en distillation jusqu’à ses expériences avec les distilleries en Guadeloupe, en Martinique et en Italie. Elle nous parle également de l’importance de la communication autour du rhum agricole et du rôle croissant des femmes dans cette industrie.

Ne ratez aucun épisode! Recevez les dernières interviews, articles et insights sur le monde du rhum directement dans votre boîte mail en vous inscrivant ici 👉 https://theglobalglug.com/join-the-community/

Retrouvez Anna en ligne :

About The Global Glug

The Global Glug is a podcast exploring the people, places, and ideas shaping the future of rum and sugarcane spirits.

Through conversations with distillers, founders, and industry voices from around the world, the show goes beyond the bottle to uncover the stories behind the spirits.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast to never miss a new conversation from the global rum community.

Sharing the podcast with fellow rum lovers, bartenders, and spirits enthusiasts helps the show grow and keeps these conversations alive.

You can also support the podcast and help keep these conversations going here:

Explore more episodes and discover voices from across the rum world.

More information and episodes:

Follow The Global Glug:

In this episode of The Global Glug, I sit down with Eric Kaye, the founder of Holmes Cay, to discuss his fascinating journey from a career in music to becoming a respected name in the rum industry. We dive into the inspiration behind Holmes Cay, the challenges of navigating the complex world of spirits, and his dedication to sourcing the finest rums from around the globe.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

About The Global Glug

The Global Glug is a podcast exploring the people, places, and ideas shaping the future of rum and sugarcane spirits.

Through conversations with distillers, founders, and industry voices from around the world, the show goes beyond the bottle to uncover the stories behind the spirits.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast to never miss a new conversation from the global rum community.

Sharing the podcast with fellow rum lovers, bartenders, and spirits enthusiasts helps the show grow and keeps these conversations alive.

You can also support the podcast and help keep these conversations going here:

Explore more episodes and discover voices from across the rum world.

More information and episodes:

Follow The Global Glug:

Join me on The Global Glug as I sit down with Magdalena Reszke, the passionate brand ambassador for The Colours of Rum, an independent rum bottler based in Poland. In this episode, Magdalena takes us on a journey through the fascinating world of rum, sharing her insights on everything from the challenges of independent bottling to the growing popularity of high ester rums.

Discover how The Colours of Rum transitioned from whiskey to rum, and learn about the meticulous process of sourcing and bottling single cask rums from distilleries around the world. Magdalena also discusses the complexities of entering the U.S. market, the rise of high ester rums, and the future of the rum industry.

Tune in to hear Magdalena’s top rum picks from The Colours of Rum, her thoughts on rum education, and why she believes the future of rum is brighter than ever.

About The Global Glug

The Global Glug is a podcast exploring the people, places, and ideas shaping the future of rum and sugarcane spirits.

Through conversations with distillers, founders, and industry voices from around the world, the show goes beyond the bottle to uncover the stories behind the spirits.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast to never miss a new conversation from the global rum community.

Sharing the podcast with fellow rum lovers, bartenders, and spirits enthusiasts helps the show grow and keeps these conversations alive.

You can also support the podcast and help keep these conversations going here:

Explore more episodes and discover voices from across the rum world.

More information and episodes:

Follow The Global Glug:

In this episode of The Global Glug, I sit down with Sebastian Lauinger, the visionary behind Ron Artesano, a premium rum brand that combines Panamanian craftsmanship with German precision. Sebastian shares his fascinating journey from growing up in a family of German brandy distillers to creating his own line of artisanal rums in Panama.

Discover how Sebastian’s passion for rum led him to source the finest sugarcane and age his spirits in unique casks like Ruby Port, Tawny Port, and Amarone wine barrels. Learn about the challenges he faced in maintaining consistency with Amarone barrels and why he ultimately chose Port casks for his core range.

Sebastian also opens up about the complexities of building a rum brand from scratch, his commitment to producing rums with no additives, no colouring, and no added sugar, and his long-term dream of establishing his own distillery in Panama.

Tune in to hear Sebastian’s inspiring journey and learn where you can find Ron Artesano rums near you.

About The Global Glug

The Global Glug is a podcast exploring the people, places, and ideas shaping the future of rum and sugarcane spirits.

Through conversations with distillers, founders, and industry voices from around the world, the show goes beyond the bottle to uncover the stories behind the spirits.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast to never miss a new conversation from the global rum community.

Sharing the podcast with fellow rum lovers, bartenders, and spirits enthusiasts helps the show grow and keeps these conversations alive.

You can also support the podcast and help keep these conversations going here:

Explore more episodes and discover voices from across the rum world.

More information and episodes:

Follow The Global Glug:

En este episodio, me siento con Christiane y Berny Silberwasser, el dúo dinámico detrás de Bogotá Beer Company en Colombia y Pedro Mandinga Rum en Panamá. En una conversación fascinante, exploramos su inspiradora travesía, desde la elaboración de cerveza en los años 90 hasta la creación de un ron artesanal galardonado.

Descubre cómo la curiosidad de Berny lo llevó a crear una de las primeras micro-cervecerías de Colombia, y cómo la visión de Christiane dio forma al ambiente cálido y acogedor de sus bares de ron. Aprende sobre los desafíos que enfrentaron, su compromiso con la calidad y el uso único de la raspadura panameña en su ron. Además, conoce la fascinante historia detrás del nombre “Pedro Mandinga” y su conexión con la historia de Panamá.

Ya seas un entusiasta de la cerveza, un conocedor de ron o simplemente un amante de las buenas historias de emprendimiento, este episodio está lleno de ideas, inspiración y una profunda apreciación por las bebidas artesanales.

🎧 Escucha ahora el episodio completo y sumérgete en su mundo de pasión, innovación y tradición.

👉 Lee el artículo completo y encuentra los enlaces al episodio aquí

📍 Visita La Rana Dorada y Pedro Mandinga en Ciudad de Panamá y La Pola del Pub y Pedro Mandinga en Bogotá para una experiencia inolvidable con bebidas artesanales.

About The Global Glug

The Global Glug is a podcast exploring the people, places, and ideas shaping the future of rum and sugarcane spirits.

Through conversations with distillers, founders, and industry voices from around the world, the show goes beyond the bottle to uncover the stories behind the spirits.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast to never miss a new conversation from the global rum community.

Sharing the podcast with fellow rum lovers, bartenders, and spirits enthusiasts helps the show grow and keeps these conversations alive.

You can also support the podcast and help keep these conversations going here:

Explore more episodes and discover voices from across the rum world.

More information and episodes:

Follow The Global Glug: