Introduction
Puerto Rico is often associated with classic brands such as Bacardí and Don Q. Yet a fresh wave of artisanal spirits is reshaping the island’s rum story, and at its forefront is Tres Clavos Rum. Built by San Juan Artisan Distillers, Tres Clavos blends Puerto Rico’s heritage with modern craftsmanship, delivering fruit-infused rums and cane-juice agricole expressions that offer something truly unique.
The Origins of Tres Clavos
The story begins in 2011, when Pepe Álvarez, a former landscaper and farmer, founded San Juan Artisan Distillers in Vega Alta. Determined to revive Puerto Rican sugar-cane agriculture, he rescued several local cane varietals near extinction and launched the island’s only estate distillery, growing, milling, fermenting, and distilling sugarcane juice on site .
However, in 2017, Hurricane Maria devastated the fields, forcing the team to innovate. While replanting, they created Tres Clavos, inspired by pitorro (Puerto Rican moonshine) traditions of infusing unaged rum with fruits and spices. The name “Tres Clavos” refers to three nails discovered at an old railway track site—a symbol of Puerto Rico’s disappeared sugar-mill history .
What Is Tres Clavos Rum?
A) Fruit-Infused Line
Launched in late 2018, the Tres Clavos line features a range of fruit-infused rums, typically bottled at 30–40% ABV. Flavors include Coconut, Mango, Pineapple, Ginger Spice, Passion Fruit, and Bili (quenepa) .
- Tres Clavos Coconut (Coco Loco) stands out for containing actual coconut shavings in the bottle—light, tropical, and easy-drinking. Some reviewers rate it as high as 8/10, praising its organic coconut aroma and mixing ability .
- Mango and pineapple are similarly praised, especially the coconut which one reviewer called “the best I have ever had” .
Best consumed chilled or mixed in cocktails like piña coladas, mai tais, mules, or tropical punches, these rums deliver approachable sweetness and authenticity.
B) Ronsanto: The Ron Agrícola Blend
While the fruit-rum line helped fund recovery and brand growth, the distillery’s longer-term vision involved sugarcane juice rums. In December 2020, they launched Ron Pepón Blanco Agrícola and Ron Pepón Añejo, distilled from estate-grown sugarcane juice using French cognac-style pot stills, then aged in American oak for 24–36 months .
The distilled Añejo was blended with Dominican agricole rum to create Ronsanto, Tres Clavos’s higher-proof 43% ABV Antillean release, offering notes of coconut, caramel, vanilla, charred wood, and light fruitiness .
Heritage, Process, and Philosophy
One-of-a-Kind Estate Distillery
San Juan Artisan Distillers is unique in Puerto Rico for growing and distilling its own cane, reviving heritage varieties the government preserved but never commercialized. This vertically integrated approach is what qualifies them as true rum agrícula, akin to French Caribbean rhum agricole .
Pot-Still Distillation and Manual Craft
They operate Charentais copper pot stills—rescued from a defunct Trinidad distillery—ensuring small-batch character and a more vegetal, terroir-driven profile . Fruit infusions are also handmade, with dozens of test batches to perfect flavor balance .
Eco and Cultural Mission
This project is as agricultural and cultural as it is alcoholic. The Álvarez family aims to rebuild Puerto Rico’s sugarcane legacy, employ locals, and preserve native varieties; they even plan to scale from original demonstration plots to over 60 acres with more automation in the future .
Tasting Notes & Reviews
Fruit-Infused Rums
- Coconut: aromatic, milky, with coconut shavings visible in the bottle. Reviewers appreciate its organic, smooth sweetness—some even describe it as easy to drink straight. Rated around 8/10 by rum community members .
- Mango & Pineapple: praised for genuine fruit flavor and smoothness even at 30% ABV. One visitor called coconut “the best I’ve ever had” .
- Ginger Spice & Passion Fruit: less common but uniquely local—ginger spice works well in cocktails like a Boricua Mule or tiki drinks based on ginger beer or citrus mixers .
Ronsanto and Ron Pepón
Critics are mixed: Ronsanto is noted for its balance of caramel, herbal funk, roasted wood, and tropical accents, but some critics also describe it as slight and understated—not bold, but nuanced enough for cocktail layering or as an entry point into cane-juice rums at 43% ABV .
One detailed tasting described faint aromas of vanilla, tropical fruit and yogurt, followed by subtle notes of brine, olives, coffee grounds, sweet paprika, and short, vegetal finish—not everyone’s style, but respectable for a first agricole attempt in Puerto Rico .
Cocktails & Recipes Featuring Tres Clavos
Using the distillery’s published recipes:
- Tres Clavos Jungle Bird
- 2 oz Tres Clavos Sweet Piña Rum
- 3 oz fresh pineapple juice
- ¾ oz Campari
- ¼ oz lime juice
- Crushed ice and pineapple leaf garnish
- Tres Clavos Boricua Mule
- 2 oz Ginger Spice Rum
- 3 oz ginger beer
- ½ oz lime juice, ice, garnish with fresh ginger and lime wedge
Other popular mixes include piña coladas (especially with coconut rum), mango spritzers, and fruit-forward punches. These rums also shine served neat over ice to appreciate their natural flavor and smooth finish .
How Tres Clavos Fits into the Puerto Rican Rum Landscape
Breaking Away from Molasses Tradition
Puerto Rico’s mainstream spirits—from Bacardí to Don Q—are made from imported molasses, offering a dry, clean style. Tres Clavos, however, revives the island’s sugar-cane past and aligns more with agricole tradition, using fresh cane juice and estate farming .
Caribbean and Global Context
While the Dominican Republic and other islands blend molasses and juice, Tres Clavos stands out for its full cane-juice production, aging process, and estate values. It is gaining attention in craft-spirits circles as an emblem of terroir-driven labels in Puerto Rico—an island historically dominated by industrial giants .
Recognition & Market Reach
- Ron Pepón Blanco won a gold medal at the Fifty Best White Rums competition in New York in 2021 .
- RumCast and other reviewers recognize the venture as a pioneering artisan distillery for Puerto Rico and commend its craftsmanship, even if some expressions are still evolving .
- Distribution remains limited but growing: currently sold mainly on Puerto Rico, with plans for expansion to U.S. cities in the near future .
Why Tres Clavos Rum Matters
Cultural and Agricultural Revival
Tres Clavos helps rekindle Puerto Rico’s sugarcane heritage, reintroducing native cane varieties, and investing in local agriculture and craftsmanship. It symbolizes both innovation and respect for the island’s past .
Accessible and Flavourful
The fruit-rum line delivers approachable, flavorful sippers perfect for casual drinkers and mixologists. Even individuals unfamiliar with agricole-style rums can enjoy the coconut, mango, and pineapple offerings without intimidation .
Emerging Agricole on the Island
Ron Pepón and Ronsanto position Tres Clavos as Puerto Rico’s first sucre-cane-juice agricole distillery, challenging the dominance of molasses-based giants and adding complexity to the island’s rum legacy .
Tips for Buying & Enjoying Tres Clavos
Where to Find It
Currently available primarily in Puerto Rico, especially at the distillery and local retailers. Passage into select U.S. markets is underway, so watch for listings in specialty spirits shops or online craft-rum outlets .
What to Try First
- Coco Loco (Coconut) for its award-winning coconut flavor and easy drinking at low ABV.
- Sweet Piña (Pineapple) or Passion Fruit for bright tropical cocktails.
- Ronsanto if you’re curious about cane-juice rums and want a more serious, aged agricole expression.
Serving Suggestions
- Neat or On the Rocks: Coconut or mango rums chilled over ice.
- Classic Cocktails: Jungle Bird, Piña Colada, and Mule variants using the fruit infusions.
- Modern Mixes: Use Ronsanto or Ron Pepón in daiquiris, Old Fashioned‐style drinks, or tropical barrel‐aged blends.
Conclusion
Tres Clavos Rum isn’t just another flavored spirit—it’s a vibrant blend of Puerto Rico’s agricultural legacy, traditional moonshine roots, and estate-grown cane juice innovation. From the approachable sweetness of Coco Loco to the nuanced complexity of Ronsanto, Tres Clavos offers both drinkers and cocktail enthusiasts a fresh taste of the island’s past and its promising future.
If you’re eager to explore rum beyond the molasses mainstream—or simply want a taste of tropical, fruit-infused creativity—Tres Clavos is a rum brand you’ll want on your radar.
