Panama City: Craft Your Own Rum Workshop Casco Viejo

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/8

Duration1h 10m

GroupUp to 15

LanguagesEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

Hands-on rum blending in casco viejo with expert guides and custom bottle

You’ll step into Casa Barú’s cozy space in Casco Viejo and learn hands-on how to blend your own custom rum with guidance from local experts. Taste three unique profiles, experiment with lab tools, enjoy snacks and a welcome cocktail — then seal up your personal bottle to bring home. Expect laughter, little surprises, and a story worth sharing long after you leave Panama City.

1h 10m

Step-by-step itinerary

Hands-on rum blending workshop

Arrive at Casa Barú in Casco Viejo
Learn about pot still distillation
Taste three rum profiles
Use lab tools to design rum
Blend your custom rum recipe
Bottle your unique rum creation
Enjoy a complimentary cocktail

The Experience

Ever wondered what your own rum would taste like? I didn’t think much about it until we ducked into Casa Barú that afternoon in Panama City’s Casco Viejo. The place smelled kind of sweet and woody, like old barrels and sugarcane — not overpowering, just enough to make you curious. Our guide, Luis, greeted us with this easy smile and handed over a welcome cocktail (mine was a bit too strong but honestly perfect after the sticky walk from Plaza Herrera). There were only a few of us, which made it feel less like a class and more like hanging out in someone’s workshop.

Luis started talking about how they do pot still distillation here — he even let us hold some of the lab tools (I almost dropped the pipette, no one laughed but I definitely saw a smirk). We tasted three different rum profiles; one was sharp and spicy, another almost caramel-like. He encouraged us to sniff everything first — “the nose knows,” he kept saying. I never thought I’d say this but blending rum is weirdly nerve-wracking when you realize you’ll be bottling your own recipe to take home. You get to pick between a hip flask or a big bottle. I went for the smaller one because my suitcase is already chaos.

There were snacks too — nothing fancy, just enough to keep you from getting tipsy before noon. The best part was sealing up my bottle while everyone compared their blends (someone named Maria made hers super smoky; she said it reminded her of her dad’s kitchen back in Colombia). It’s funny how something as simple as mixing spirits can turn strangers into co-conspirators for an hour. When we left, the air outside felt heavier somehow — maybe it was the humidity or maybe just knowing there’s now a bottle on my shelf that nobody else in the world has tasted.

What’s included

Your day at Casa Barú includes guided instruction on rum blending methods using professional tools, three distinct tastings from their collection, light snacks to balance out the flavors, plus a complimentary welcome cocktail before you create and seal your very own custom bottle of rum to take home at the end of your session.

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Casa Barú