WE WERE ENTRUSTED to create a rum brand that could revitalize America’s desire for a spirit that was left behind during the bourbon revolution of the aughts. Equipped with two secret weapons, a master blender and a partnership with the Hemingway Estate, we created Papa’s Pilar. Named for his beloved boat, this aspirational brand built on the ethos and adventures of Ernest Hemingway and is a call to action to live as boldly and fully as he did. We built the platform, branding, bottle, look/feel, and voice from scratch, delivering a full brand kit and a sell-out 2013 launch with Pilar meeting its year-end sales goals in less than two months. I continued to work with Pilar on LTO and packaging needs into 2019.
Dark Rum
Inspired by the boundless land travels of Ernest Hemingway, Papa’s Pilar Dark boasts a bold mouth, long finish, and a complex flavor profile hell-bent on returning rum to its gutsy roots. This artisan crafted spirit is sourced from hand-selected rums throughout the Caribbean, aged up to 24 years, and solera blended by our master blending team.
Blonde Rum
Inspired by the seaward adventures of Ernest Hemingway, Papa’s Pilar Blonde celebrates an exceptionally smooth tasting experience consisting of citrus notes, hints of almond and oak, and a creamy mouth. This uniquely crafted spirit is sourced from hand-selected rums throughout the Caribbean, aged up to 3 years, and solera blended by our master blending team.
A series of feature walls meet visitors up front with a biographical Hemingway experience, a brief history of rum, an overview of how rum is made from sugar cane, and an in-depth look into the making of Pilar & her sensory experience.
The distillery itself is part tasting room and part exihibit, but most importantly it’s a working distillery. Which is why working solera has been adapted to bridge function with education.
