SUAU: Bodega that wouldn’t exist without a love story
It was the mid-19th century when the Spanish steamboat "El Mallorquín" sailed across the ocean under the command of Captain Don Joan Suau y Bennaser. He was known not only for his captain’s duties but also for his entrepreneurial spirit, thanks to which he created a market in Cuba for anise liqueur and other Cuban products.
Part of his business activities here naturally included the distillation of rum. When he began trading, the once vast Spanish Empire had been reduced to just two colonies in the Caribbean – the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico. That did not stop him, however, from expanding his trade routes across the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, as El Mallorquín anchored in the ports of Veracruz, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Santo Domingo, and Haiti.
Fate, however, had other plans. During one of his stops on the island of Mallorca, Captain Suau fell in love with a girl from a Spanish family that had been involved in the liqueur trade in Spain and America for generations. Her parents did not stand in the way of romantic love, but before giving their daughter’s hand in marriage and allowing him to stand with her at the altar, they asked him to make two promises: to give up sailing and overseas trade. They did not want their only child to live so far away from them.
Captain Suau sold his ship, but not his company. In 1851, he firmly anchored it in Palma de Mallorca, the homeland of his love. There, he started doing what he knew best – producing traditional Caribbean spirits.
And thus, on the Balearic Islands, one of the oldest spirits companies was born – one that still exists after 170 years. These were the beginnings of today’s Bodega Suau (or simply Suau Winery). It has produced a variety of spirits over the years, but only a few have become legends that are still made today. One of them is Suau Brandy – a brandy of exceptional quality, proudly crafted for more than 70 years.
The foundation of Suau Brandy is the Airén grape variety
This brandy is based on a very old Spanish white grape variety called Airén. Suau Brandy is made using artisanal methods that reflect the experience passed down from generation to generation.
The grapes are pressed gently to prevent the extraction of tannins and oily compounds that could affect the taste and quality of the final product. During the following fermentation phase, the body of the drink unites, and the aroma of the brandy begins to intensify. The result is a brandy with 78% alcohol content, which then matures slowly and calmly over the years, both through the static method and the solera system.
Aging in cellars with 180 cm thick walls
The quality of Suau Brandy also largely depends on the microclimate and the time spent in the underground cellars in Mallorca. These cellars have walls up to 180 cm thick, ensuring the aging process is insulated from any external odors and sounds. In the final stage, the brandy is blended in a semi-shaded stone room before reaching those most qualified to appreciate it – true lovers of fine brandy. The greatest attention, however, is drawn to the two oldest varieties:
Suau Brandy 25 Years Old
Color: dark mahogany
Aroma: toasted wood, a hint of long-aged wine
Taste: mildly spicy, toasted wood, dried fruit, vanilla, and walnuts; slightly sweet, especially after swallowing
Finish: lightly sharp but not spicy, oily, and full-bodied with a reminder of aromatic tones
Suau Brandy 50 Years Old
Color: dark mahogany
Aroma: long-aged wine, wonderfully complex, fruity, balanced, and evolving into tones of ripe plums and old wood
Taste: slightly dry, viscous, and full-bodied, reminiscent of robust vintages and aged oak with hints of caramelized dried fruit and raisins
Finish: smooth, refreshing, slightly warming due to the alcohol content, oily, and long-lasting
Try also Ron Jungla:
... or 2 seas, 2 islands, and 2 types of casks
At the beginning of this article, we mentioned that Captain Suau was involved in rum distillation alongside his trade in Cuba. So it’s not surprising that a trace of this distant past can still be found in Bodega Suau today. In tangible and drinkable form, it is called Ron Jungla.
However, this is not a rum with a long history. It has been produced for only about two years, so it serves more as a tribute to Captain Suau’s early ventures. Nevertheless, its success is impressive, and we highly recommend you try it. You might be wondering why?
The creator of this rum is none other than Cuban Maestro Ronero Juan Alberto Álvarez, who also stands behind the iconic Ron Relicario rums. With Ron Jungla, he has helped to connect the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, Cuba and Mallorca, creating an exclusive rum with a very special bouquet. The base is high-quality rum that first aged under the Caribbean climate and then matured a second time in the quiet cellars of Bodega Suau in Mallorca. Its flavor profile offers a delicate yet pleasantly pronounced taste dominated by fruity notes, subtle woodiness, and a warm finish.
Both Suau Brandy and Ron Jungla are now available online at Svetnapojov.sk with an introductory promotional price. Don’t miss the chance to taste these exceptional drinks from the Spanish island of Mallorca!
