El Ron Prohibido (The Forbidden Rum) is a premium rum brand produced in Mexico, famous for its bittersweet flavor profile and its iconic bottle with a small handle on the neck. The name comes from an 18th-century law when King Philip V of Spain banned the spirit in the New World to protect European alcohol producers. History and Origin of the NameIn the 18th century, Spanish ships traveled to the Americas loaded with sweet wine. To avoid returning empty, local producers filled the barrels with Mexican rum, known at the time as Chinguirito.During the long voyage back, the rum absorbed the aromas of the sweet wine soaked into the wood, transforming into a high-quality spirit. Its success in Spain was so overwhelming that domestic producers pressured the crown, resulting in an official ban on the drink. Since Havana (Cuba) was the final fleet stop before crossing the Atlantic, this rum also became historically known as Ron Habanero. Main Expressions and CharacteristicsThe modern rum is produced from sugarcane molasses at the Casa Corralejo distillery in Pénjamo (Guanajuato). The aging process utilizes the traditional Solera system.Solera 12 Years (Reserva): Aged in barrels that previously held sherry. It stands out for its balance between sweet notes of raisins and molasses with bitter undertones .Gran Reserva 15 Years Solera: Aged in American oak barrels. It features a dry, aromatic profile with deep notes of dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla, and caramel. Reserva 22 Years Solera: Undergoes a complex process where some barrels are infused with walnuts and almond shells, resulting in rich flavors of peach and cocoa.