Seco Herrerano and Ron Abuelo: the Spirits of Panama
The two national spirits of Panama: what seco is, how it differs from rum, and how to drink Ron Abuelo properly.
Panama has two national spirits and most visitors only meet one of them. The rum is world-famous. The other, seco, is what the country actually drinks at its own parties.
Seco Herrerano
A triple-distilled spirit made from sugar cane juice, clear, around 35 % alcohol, produced in Pesé, Herrera province, since 1936. The distinction from rum matters: rum is made from molasses â the by-product of sugar refining â and is usually barrel-aged. Seco is made from the fresh juice and is not aged, which is why it is colourless and clean, closer to cachaí§a than to rum.
The national way to drink it is seco con leche: seco, evaporated milk and plenty of ice. It sounds strange and it works â the milk rounds off the alcohol and makes it dangerously easy to drink. It also mixes well with passion fruit or soursop juice.
Ron Abuelo
Made at Hacienda San Isidro in the same province, where the same family grows the cane, distils it and ages it â less common than it sounds, since most brands buy their spirit in. Herrera’s hot, humid climate accelerates ageing, so a seven-year Panamanian rum matures like a considerably older one in a temperate country.
- Añejo (5 years) â the mixing rum, for cocktails.
- 7 years â the value sweet spot. Works neat over ice and still works in a cocktail.
- 12 years â for sipping. Vanilla, cocoa and wood.
- Centuria â a solera blend with rums up to 30 years old. After dinner, not in a mixer.
- Finish Collection â finished in sherry, port or tokaji casks.
What to bring home
The 12-year is the best balance of price and quality as a gift; a bottle of seco is the cheapest and most genuinely Panamanian souvenir there is. Both are sold in supermarkets and at the airport.
To try them properly, the cocktail bars of Casco Antiguo are working with local spirits. Aya la Vida, on Avenida A and Calle 12 Oeste, uses Ron Abuelo in the kitchen too â in sauces, in a flambéed pineapple dessert and in a cane-syrup reduction.
Frequently asked questions
Is seco the same as rum?
No. Rum comes from molasses and is aged; seco comes from cane juice and is not.
Why is it drunk with milk?
It is a custom from the interior of the country. The milk softens the alcohol and gives it a creamy texture.
How strong is seco?
Around 35 % alcohol, slightly less than a standard white rum.
Which Ron Abuelo should I buy?
The 12-year for value, the Centuria for a special occasion.
Can I take spirits home from Panama?
Yes, subject to your destination country’s allowances. Both are widely available at the airport.
Keep reading
- Where to Eat in Panama City: A Local Guide
- Panamanian Food: What to Eat in Panama City
- Casco Viejo de Panama: guia para recorrerlo y comer bien
Aya la Vida is in Edificio La Cuadra, Avenida A and Calle 12 Oeste, Casco Antiguo, Panama City. Menu and opening hours on its official site; book a table here, see the menu, or plan a Copa stopover.
Reserva tu mesa en Aya la Vida
Cocina panameña de autor en el Casco Antiguo de Ciudad de Panamá, Edificio La Cuadra, Avenida A y Calle 12 Oeste. Terraza al aire libre y música en vivo de jueves a sábado.
