Fernando Fernandez
Encyclopedia
Fernando Fernández was the founder of the oldest Rum
producing company in Puerto Rico.
. He was the owner of the Santa Ana Plantation located in the city of his birth. The Santa Ana Plantation is located on land which was granted to his grandfather (whose name was also Fernando Fernández) by the Spanish Royal Crown in 1797. Fernández's grandfather was a naval captain who fought against pirates and English
merchant ships. The Spanish Royal Crown granted him this land in recognition of his service to Spain
, here he planted sugar canes and raised cattle.
In 1804, the elder Fernández used a mixture of sugar and honey to process and distill rum. He aged his product in special barrels which were imported from Europe
. The rum he produced was only for his own personal use and that of his family. In 1827, he ordered his 127 slaves to build an enormous windmill
shaped like a tower
. The windmill helped to extract the juice from the sugar canes. He would still resort to the use of manpower
, whenever the wind wasn't strong enough for the to operate the windmill.
In 1846, Fernández's father, Manuel Fernández (birth name: Manuel Fernández y Martínez), inherited the plantation; Manuel Fernandez developed the land which consisted of over 2400 acre (971.2 ha). Manuel Fernández eventually purchased much of the property adjoining his land and soon became the richest man in Bayamon.
. Fernández imported a still
from Europe and started to produce rum using the sugar and honey from his land. He developed two different formulas for his rums and he used the same barrels which his grandfather had used before, believing that the rum's unique flavor would be contained in these barrels.
Soon the word spread about Fernandez's rum and many friends and nearby families would visit the Santa Ana Hacienda to "sample" the rum. His son went to France to cintinue his university education, while there he discovered cognac
. Upon returning to Puerto Rico, he developed a rum recipe that rivaled the best French cognacs. People started calling Fernando's rum "Ron del Barrilito" (Rum from the little Barrel). In Puerto Rico, families began switching from "brandy
" and "cognac
", to "Ron del Barrilito". Fernández also produced "Alcholado Santa Ana" which is a product derived from alcohol
and eucaliptic leaves and is greenish in color. Unlike pure alcohol Alcholado Santa Ana does not sting. It is principally used for rub-downs and to refresh the body.
. Edmundo Fernández's office is located in the windmill tower built by his ancestor.
Rum
Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane by-products such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice, by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels...
producing company in Puerto Rico.
Start of a dynasty
Fernández, was born in Bayamon, Puerto RicoBayamón, Puerto Rico
Bayamón is a municipality of Puerto Rico located on the northern coastal valley, north of Aguas Buenas and Comerío; south of Toa Baja and Cataño; west of Guaynabo; and east of Toa Alta and Naranjito. Bayamón is spread over 11 wards and Bayamón Pueblo...
. He was the owner of the Santa Ana Plantation located in the city of his birth. The Santa Ana Plantation is located on land which was granted to his grandfather (whose name was also Fernando Fernández) by the Spanish Royal Crown in 1797. Fernández's grandfather was a naval captain who fought against pirates and English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
merchant ships. The Spanish Royal Crown granted him this land in recognition of his service to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, here he planted sugar canes and raised cattle.
In 1804, the elder Fernández used a mixture of sugar and honey to process and distill rum. He aged his product in special barrels which were imported from Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. The rum he produced was only for his own personal use and that of his family. In 1827, he ordered his 127 slaves to build an enormous windmill
Windmill
A windmill is a machine which converts the energy of wind into rotational energy by means of vanes called sails or blades. Originally windmills were developed for milling grain for food production. In the course of history the windmill was adapted to many other industrial uses. An important...
shaped like a tower
Tower
A tower is a tall structure, usually taller than it is wide, often by a significant margin. Towers are distinguished from masts by their lack of guy-wires....
. The windmill helped to extract the juice from the sugar canes. He would still resort to the use of manpower
Manpower
Manpower may refer to:*Human resourcesOrganizations:*Manpower Inc., an international employment agency, headquartered in the United States*Manpower Incorporated, a criminal enterprise in the Honor Harrington science fiction series...
, whenever the wind wasn't strong enough for the to operate the windmill.
In 1846, Fernández's father, Manuel Fernández (birth name: Manuel Fernández y Martínez), inherited the plantation; Manuel Fernandez developed the land which consisted of over 2400 acre (971.2 ha). Manuel Fernández eventually purchased much of the property adjoining his land and soon became the richest man in Bayamon.
Fernando Fernández takes charge
In 1880, Fernando Fernández, became the owner of the plantationPlantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
. Fernández imported a still
Still
A still is a permanent apparatus used to distill miscible or immiscible liquid mixtures by heating to selectively boil and then cooling to condense the vapor...
from Europe and started to produce rum using the sugar and honey from his land. He developed two different formulas for his rums and he used the same barrels which his grandfather had used before, believing that the rum's unique flavor would be contained in these barrels.
Soon the word spread about Fernandez's rum and many friends and nearby families would visit the Santa Ana Hacienda to "sample" the rum. His son went to France to cintinue his university education, while there he discovered cognac
Cognac
Cognac is a commune in the Charente department in southwestern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Geography:Cognac is situated on the river Charente between the towns of Angoulême and Saintes. The majority of the town has been built on the river's left bank, with the smaller right...
. Upon returning to Puerto Rico, he developed a rum recipe that rivaled the best French cognacs. People started calling Fernando's rum "Ron del Barrilito" (Rum from the little Barrel). In Puerto Rico, families began switching from "brandy
Brandy
Brandy is a spirit produced by distilling wine. Brandy generally contains 35%–60% alcohol by volume and is typically taken as an after-dinner drink...
" and "cognac
Cognac (drink)
Cognac , named after the town of Cognac in France, is a variety of brandy. It is produced in the wine-growing region surrounding the town from which it takes its name, in the French Departements of Charente and Charente-Maritime....
", to "Ron del Barrilito". Fernández also produced "Alcholado Santa Ana" which is a product derived from alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
and eucaliptic leaves and is greenish in color. Unlike pure alcohol Alcholado Santa Ana does not sting. It is principally used for rub-downs and to refresh the body.
Edmundo B. Fernández, Inc.
Fernando Fernández died in 1940 in Bayamon. His great-grandson, who is also named Fernando Fernández, organized the company (which is now called "Edmundo B. Fernandez, Inc.") and continues to distribute two brands of "Ron del Barrilito" and "Alcholado Santa Ana" worldwide. The company's main offices are still located in the Hacienda Santa Ana with manufacturing facilities in Puerto Rico and in the Dominican RepublicDominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
. Edmundo Fernández's office is located in the windmill tower built by his ancestor.
Freedom barrel
In 1942, a single barrel, which is stored in the "cellar", was put aside with orders that it should only be opened when Puerto Rico becomes a free and independent nation. When and if that ever happens, the cask (barrel) will be taken to the town square in the center of Bayamon and its contents will be offered free to all those who wish to drink from it.See also
- List of Puerto Rican rums
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- José Ramon FernándezJosé Ramon FernándezJosé Ramon Fernández "Marqués de La Esperanza" , was the wealthiest sugar baron in Puerto Rico in the 19th century. He was also one of the most powerful men of the entire Spanish Caribbean...
- Note: