Papa's Pilar Rum Legacy Edition 2021
Papa's Pilar Rum Legacy Edition 2021 is a 43% ABV (86 proof) dark rum in a 750mL bottle — the first release in Papa's Pilar's annual commemorative series honoring Ernest "Papa" Hemingway and his fishing boat, the Pilar. Master Blender & Distiller Ron Call blends nine hand-selected dark rums from the Dominican Republic, Panama, Venezuela, Barbados, and Florida — components aged 12 to 24 years — through a proprietary solera process in Bourbon barrels, Port wine casks, and Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks, then finished in rye whiskey barrels and Amontillado Sherry casks. Limited select-market release. Order online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 43% (86 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Blend: 9 hand-selected dark rums, aged 12–24 years (Dominican Republic, Panama, Venezuela, Barbados, Florida)
- Aging: Proprietary solera — Bourbon barrels, Port wine casks, Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks; finished in rye whiskey barrels + Amontillado Sherry casks
- Series: First annual Legacy Edition honoring Hemingway and the Pilar (released Nov 2021)
- Distillery: Key West, Florida — made with the Hemingway estate
A Rum Worthy of the Pilar
Papa's Pilar was built around Hemingway's Key West years, and the Legacy Edition series is its most ambitious expression — a blend of some of the hemisphere's oldest rum stocks, double-finished in rye and Amontillado casks. The 2021 inaugural bottle even arrived with a pure-leather WWII-canteen-style wrap stamped with the brand mark. Explore more Papa's Pilar and browse premium rum.
Tasting Notes
Per the official release: a semi-sweet nose layered with spice, chocolate, coffee, subtle burnt sugar, and vanilla; a full-bodied palate that starts sweet with vanilla and prominent dark chocolate; and a spicy, semi-dry finish touched with oak.
How to Enjoy
This is a sipper — neat or with a single large cube so the double finish shows. It also anchors a proper high-proof-style Mai Tai or a rum Old Fashioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Papa's Pilar Legacy Edition 2021?
The first annual Legacy Edition from Papa's Pilar Rum: a blend of nine dark rums aged 12–24 years, honoring Ernest Hemingway and his boat, the Pilar.
What is the proof of Papa's Pilar Legacy Edition 2021?
It is bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof) in a 750mL bottle.
How is Papa's Pilar Legacy Edition finished?
After a proprietary solera through Bourbon barrels, Port casks, and Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks, it is finished in rye whiskey barrels and Amontillado Sherry casks.
A first-edition commemorative blend — add Papa's Pilar Legacy Edition 2021 to your order at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.