La Hechicera
When Miguel Riascos Sr., a Colombian banana farmer, went looking for new business opportunities in the 1990s, he made 17 consecutive trips to Cuba until he finally struck a deal with Fidel Castro's Sugar Ministry. This allowed him to work with some of Cuba's finest rum masters and to build his own facility in Barranquilla, Colombia.
In 2012, his children Miguel and Laura Riascos, together with Martamaria Carrillo, turned this into the brand La Hechicera – "the enchantress" – as a tribute to Colombia's only fully family-owned rum house, now in its third generation. With La Hechicera Reserva Familiar, you will find the brand's most award-winning bottling in our selection.
Content: 0.7 Liter (€44.27 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 business days
Content: 0.35 Liter (€54.26 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 business days
Content: 0.04 Liter (€174.75 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 business days
How did a banana farmer become a rum pioneer?
Miguel Riascos Sr. initially ran banana plantations on Colombia's Caribbean coast before looking for new opportunities in the 1990s. After 17 consecutive trips to Cuba, he secured a deal with Fidel Castro's Sugar Ministry, gaining access to experienced Cuban rum masters. Armed with this knowledge, he invested in a production facility in the Atlántico department around the port city of Barranquilla.
How did the La Hechicera brand come about?
In 2012, his children Miguel and Laura Riascos, together with family friend Martamaria Carrillo, founded the La Hechicera brand to carry the spirit of Colombia out into the world. The name means "the enchantress" and adorns the bottle label with illustrations of local flora and fauna. The brand launched in the UK in 2012, followed a year later by its home market of Colombia. The distillate used for La Hechicera comes from both Colombian and Cuban sources and matures for between 12 and 21 years before blending.
The most popular bottling at a glance
1. La Hechicera Reserva Familiar
The brand's award-winning core bottling.
Taste: Complex, with ripe fruit, caramel, and fine spice.
Serving suggestion: Neat or on ice, to enjoy its full complexity.
Facts and figures
Founded: 2012 by Miguel and Laura Riascos and Martamaria Carrillo. Location: Barranquilla, Colombia. Ageing: 12 to 21 years. Family: third generation in the rum business.