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Left: Master blender Gilberto Briceño. Middle: Master blender Tito Cordero. Top right: The ‘green hill’ production site. Bottom right: The award-winning Reserva Exclusiva.
Ron Botucal
The world needs more diplomats The history of this premium Venezuelan rum – internationally known as Ron Diplomático – is shaped by the people who produce it. Passion, craftsmanship and enjoyment drove the spirits collector and founder of the brand over 200 years ago and live on today in the current cooperation with an artisan from Düsseldorf.
audacity. That is what connects him with the Venezuelan rum – and that is what makes the rum what it is.
TEXT & PHOTOS: SIERRA MADRE
The history of the company has its roots at the end of the 18th century in one man's fascination. Don Juancho Meléndez's burning passion for the production of traditional drinks from a variety of cultures paved the way for Ron Botucal. During his travels through Central and South America, he researched the processes and sources responsible for the liquors' taste. The‘Spirits Ambassador’ was especially interested in the artisanal production methods. He was particularly fascinated by the methods in the Caribbean and the complexity of environmental factors that considerably influenced production processes. Over time, his enthusiasm for collecting and his thirst for knowledge led to an impressive assortment of bottles that soon gained
What do a Venezuelan rum and a Düsseldorf barber have in common? Both professions are distinguished by a long tradition and the devotion to enjoyment. In Germany, Botucal has partnered with the barber Shamsedin Rada, also known as Hagi or the ‘Godfather of Barbering’, for the international campaign ‘The World Needs More Diplomats’. Hagi represents a new era of ambassadors. He pursues his life calling with boundless passion and has brought his message to the world with beards and sheers for 26 years now. He has no formal education in these trades – his motto has always been "learning by doing". The barber profession honours nearly 42 | Issue 43 | October 2016
forgotten methods for beard and hair care with precise movements, sharp blades and a great deal of trust in the shaving master's steady hand. Some of his clients travel great distances to be pampered by this expert of the barber's craft. "It's more than just a trim of the beard. It's an expression of personality! I don't go home until every client leaves the salon with a satisfied smile," Hagi explains about his pampering routine. As a German testimonial, he embodies passion, the desire for self-fulfilment, a long path to perfection and plenty of
The ‘Spirits Ambassador’