Dictador: One Of The Most Esteemed Rum Producers Of This Time

The myth of Dictador, one of the most esteemed rum producers of this time, began in the late 18th century. Severo Arango y Ferro arrived in Cartagena de Indias in Nueva Granada—present-day Colombia—before falling in love with rum. He became a key trader of exotic sugar cane spirits, which at the time were considered a currency in the region.

In 1913, almost 180 years after Dictador’s myth was conceived, one of his descendants established Destilería Colombiana. Don Julio Arango y Parra spent years researching Dictador’s myth and the intricacies of rum production to become a rum producer in the Caribbean Zone. Now, Dictador sits in the experienced hands of third-generation rum producer and blender, Hernan Parra.

Due to its geographical location, Colombia is one of the three largest sugarcane producers in the world, ensuring both high quality and large harvests. Cartagena and its surroundings are famous for being the first sugarcane production areas in South America.

For more than 40 years, Dictador has been creating premium aged rum in the heart of Cartagena, Colombia. Indeed, Dictador proves to be a top-tier rum. The company boasts the world’s largest stock assets of aged rum, up to 45 years old. Recently, the brand launched MOPA MOPA. The new collection consists of only 360, hand-decorated bottles, starting at $3,850 a bottle. A tribute to Dictador’s Colombian roots, this collection was inspired by the ancient South American craft of the same name.

“MOPA MOPA is part of a wider collection, Dictador’s program: TOTEM,” says associate creative director Ken Grier. “This innovative and original project has allowed us to be patrons of ancient art techniques dating back several hundred thousand years. Through MOPA MOPA, previous collections like Wixarika and upcoming collections, we are taking it upon ourselves to preserve cultural diversity and encourage traditionalism in art. We are supporting commercial projects but also local artists from destinations all over the globe. Through TOTEM, we aim to keep the culture and history of art from times past alive by sharing it with an international community of art lovers and collectors.”

MOPA MOPA dates back to the 16th century and requires such intricacy and skill that it can never be automated for mass production. The inspiration for these bottles stems from the ancient tradition of using Mopa Mopa, a native South American phenolic resin, used for centuries in cultural contexts by artisans in the region of Pasto, Colombia, to decorate ceremonial drinking cups known as ‘Qeros.’ The artisans who have preserved this craft were essential in the making of this collection. Therefore, a percentage of all sales will be donated to them.

“Through MOPA MOPA, we have connected with some of the finest Colombian artisans and worked with them to preserve this ancient craft,” Grier says. “It is our hope that, through collections like this one, we can contribute to the preservation of indigenous art forms and help share the talent and history behind them with the world.”

“MOPA MOPA brilliantly pays homage to Dictador’s cultural roots and brand principles,” Grier adds. “Beyond the rum itself, art and innovation have always been at the center of Dictador. I feel that this collection, in particular, beautifully showcases who we are and what we value.”