Bacardi Highlights the First Filipino Maestro de Ron and His Exclusive Blends
The first Filipino Global Master Blender Troy Arquiza sits down with Art+ as he shares how his roots influenced his passion and profession.
Words and interview by Tedrick Yau
September 4, 2023
In view: Filipino Global Master Blender Troy Arquiza.
Troy Arquiza, the very first Filipino Global Master Blender visited the Philippines to share some of Bacardi Rum Blends under his supervision. He candidly talks about his experience and humble beginnings and his journey to his now coveted position. Talking to Art+, he shares how his roots influenced his passion and profession, “The biggest thing is the discipline that we have as Filipinos and the curiosity to really understand the things that are happening around you and trying to learn lessons.”
Troy, who is originally from the Philippines, has spent more than two decades with the family-owned company Bacardi, honing his craft as a rum blender and training for many years under the industry legend, Jose “Joe” Gomez who retired after 41 years with Bacardi who Troy now succeeds in the very prestigious role.
When it comes to developing new products, he explains his process saying, “I like the subtlety when it comes to transition to different tastes. Yun ang important part sa akin. When you taste some of the products, you’ll be able to discern certain characters that catches your eye or attention. Let’s say orange peel. Then, all of a sudden, it would transition into something woody, something smoky that would add more interest when it comes to the appreciation of the product.”
With the coveted title of Maestro de Ron, Troy continues the legacy of his predecessors following in the same exacting standards set forth in Santiago de Cuba almost 160 years ago when Don Facundo Bacardi Massó created Bacardi Carta Blanca the first mixable rum, and changed the way Rum was made forever.
In view: Bacardi’s Diez neat.
Based at the largest premium rum distillery in the world Casa Bacardi, in Cataño Puerto Rico, Troy heads up a team of rum blenders with the responsibility of protecting the integrity and quality of every drop of Bacardi rum enjoyed all around the world.
He also oversees the distillation on aging of Bacardi rum, help develop new innovations that continue to lead a dynamic rum category and share his passion and skills to nurture the future generation of Master Blenders.
Sharing how he believes Filipinos will perceive his blends, he said, “I think the playfulness and attention to detail, that’s what I basically have from Manila and that’s what really helps me a lot in developing new products. The key thing is I know a lot about the Philippine market - what really clicks and what grabs attention. I try to put myself if I would be your typical rum enthusiast in the Philippines, will this product I’m trying to develop, would it really appeal to them?”
In view: Bacardi’s Anejo Cuatro Rum.
At the private tasting, guests were able to try Bacardi Rums under the Reserva range which is the premium line of Bacardi Rum. The Reserva Range is specially aged through various years to bring out very distinct and elevated characteristics. The Reserva Cuatro, Reserca Ocho and Reserva Diez was served and talked about by Troy himself. Troy also flew in samples of his other project rums like the Limitada, the Ocho Sevillana Cask finished, Ocho Rye Cask finished which the guests were able to try.
