The Spirit of Christopher Columbus and Porto Santo
The earliest evidence of rum distillation in Madeira dates back to the 1420s, a remarkable two centuries before rum distilleries in the Americas and the Caribbean came into existence.
Madeira and Porto Santo are central to Christopher Columbus and indeed the rum business as of the 15th Century and rum in the Western World.
First, it was in Porto Santo that Christopher Columbus learned his master seamanship from his father-in-law.
Second, Columbus had previously learned about growing sugar cane and rum distilleries in Madeira before going to Porto Santo. This ultimately led to him bringing rum to the New World in 1492 and in 1993 he brought sugarcane with him on his ships.
Christopher Columbus 1477 Distillery® dedicated to refining the time-honoured traditions of more than 600 years of creating exquisite premium rum in Porto Santo.
Our objective is to embrace every fragment of knowledge from the rum-making customs that have endured for centuries.
Rum is an incredibly rich spirit in every aspect. Over the past 600 years, rum has been regarded as one of the most influential beverages in history. However, it still retains its reputation as the unruly frontier of the spirits industry.
Christopher Columbus 1477 Distillery® and Heritage Centre present an excellent opportunity with a genuine passion for rum and its great history.
We hold a profound desire to share our love and knowledge of this remarkable beverage with others. All of this is laid out in “The Declaration of the Founding Fathers.”
Throughout history, rum has served as the spirit that unites people, providing solace during times of illness and hardship. It is a drink that brings individuals together as they exchange intimate stories and tales of sorrow, all while savouring a few drams.
Now, more than ever, we wish to celebrate this splendid global libation and connect fellow enthusiasts from around the world.
In the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th-century rum from Madeira was more valuable than today, so much so that in Europe, it was called “Ouro Branco” liquid gold and used not only as a drink but in cooking, making sweets and for medical purposes.
This is a unique opportunity, first Christopher Columbus, with all the history, second Porto Santo, and we have a true story to tell, about the hardship and the constant pirate attacks. It is only right that the “Ouro Branco” golden nectar – Rum should come from the Golden Island of Porto Santo, with the special edition of 2027 – a rum beyond any previous.
Our objective is to bring soul, substance, and storytelling to the fore and create a product of exceptional quality that has taken incredible skill and craft to produce. Uncompromised, traditionally handcrafted rum of the highest quality.
Join us and revel in the sunny ambience of Porto Santo and Christopher Columbus 1477 Distillery® centuries of tradition to create the best and most exclusive Premium Rum.
Christopher Columbus
Columbus is often referred to as the Father of the New World. Most schoolchildren know his name having heard various stories about the explorer.
The entire narrative surrounding Christopher Columbus constitutes a political concealment. It is a political cover-up right from the start, preventing us from uncovering the genuine account.
Numerous American cities, counties, and institutions bear the name of Christopher Columbus, underscoring his esteemed position in American civic life. There is more than 600 statues of Christopher Columbus in US. Early Americans portrayed Columbus as the first frontiersman of America, a hero who departed from the comforts of Europe in pursuit of a new beginning in a fresh world. They hailed him as an enlightened advocate of science, challenging obscure European ideas.
Nevertheless, Columbus exhibited the resilience and determination to overcome formidable obstacles.
Compelling evidence, challenging to conceal, reveals that Christopher Columbus named Cuba. At his time, the sole location named Cuba was in Portugal. Furthermore, he assigned names to 40 islands and places, all within a 50-kilometre radius of Cuba in Portugal, and not a single one was named after Italian locales. These included names like Santiago, Trindada, San Juan, Nervis, Santa Lucia, Guadalupe, Saint Barthelme, Isabella, Vera Crus, Santa Clara, Meron, and Sata Spiritus (in Cuba). He even named a place Porto Santo and San Vincent, a village in Madeira.
That Christoper Columbus named a place Porto Santo in the Caribbean, is significant. His connection with Porto Santo is well documented. Christopher Columbus, entered into matrimony with Filipa Moniz Perestrelo, a noblewoman and the daughter of Bartolomeu Perestrelo, the governor of Porto Santo, in the year 1478. Together, they took up residence on the island of Porto Santo for a period, and their former dwelling now serves as a museum.
Throughout history, scant attention has been paid to the fact that Christopher Columbus laid the foundation for his ambitions and subsequent discoveries during his sojourn in Porto Santo. It was under the guidance of his father-in-law that he gained extensive expertise, took notes, acquired maps, and amassed knowledge in the realm of seamanship.
Madeira, an archipelago under Portuguese rule, emerged as the world’s leading exporter of sugar. A youthful Christopher Columbus received training in the sugar trade of Madeira, and this experience would prove pivotal when he embarked on his second voyage to the Caribbean. As he contemplated ways to capitalize on his initial expedition, Columbus identified the potential for cultivating sugarcane on the Caribbean islands. Consequently, during his second journey in 1493, it is said that he brought sugarcane with him to establish plantations in the Caribbean.
In the mid-1500s, drawing upon the expertise gained from Madeira, Portugal commenced the cultivation of sugarcane in Brazil, subsequently resorting to the importation of African slaves to toil on these plantations. It didn’t take long for people to begin fermenting sugarcane juice to produce alcohol, which eventually became known as cachaça. This was the type of rum originally crafted in Madeira, dating back to the late 14th or early 15th century. Although cachaça is occasionally referred to as rum, many consider it to be a distinct and unique spirit.
Porto Santo
If there are places that seem to have emerged from the realm of dreams, Porto Santo unquestionably ranks among them. This exquisite island, located 88 kilometres away from Madeira, holds a special distinction as one of the earliest locations, alongside Madeira itself, where rum was consumed in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. Rum once played a central role in Madeira’s economy.
Also known as the “Golden Island,” Porto Santo stretches 11 kilometres in length and 6 kilometres in width. Positioned in the Atlantic Ocean, it is situated 500 kilometres off the African Coast, 900 kilometres southwest of Lisbon, and 1300 kilometres from the Azores Islands. Covering an area of approximately 41 square kilometres, Porto Santo is inhabited by a population of 5,000 residents.
It appears that prior knowledge of Atlantic islands like Madeira existed long before their official discovery and settlement. Maps dating as far back as 1339 include these islands, indicating their earlier presence. A portolan dating to 1351, preserved in Florence, Italy, suggests that Madeira’s islands had been discovered long before the Portuguese expedition of 1418 claimed them. There is even some evidence to suggest that the Vikings may have visited Madeira 350-400 years earlier.
However, the discovery of Porto Santo Island and the other Madeira islands was not documented until 1418. Porto Santo was accidentally discovered when captains, caught in a storm, sought refuge in its sheltered harbour. The name “Porto Santo” (meaning “Holy Harbour” in English) was inspired by the sailors’ accounts of finding a protected bay during the tempest, which they interpreted as a divine deliverance. The first Portuguese settlers arrived in the 1420s.
Despite its modest population, the island of Porto Santo has ambitious plans to achieve carbon neutrality by adopting electric cars and embracing renewable energy sources. Porto Santo may be small in size, but it boasts remarkable natural attractions. Its crystal-clear waters and an iconic 9-kilometre expanse of golden sand are particularly enchanting.
With year-round sunshine, picturesque cliffs, and idyllic swimming spots, the island is a highly sought-after destination for travellers. While relaxing on the pristine sands, you’ll discover that the famous beaches of Porto Santo are renowned for their therapeutic properties, known to alleviate rheumatism and circulatory issues.
According to historical records, Christopher Columbus married Filipa Moniz Perestrelo, the daughter of Bartolomeu Perestrelo, who was the Governor of Porto Santo. The couple lived in Porto Santo for some time, and it was during this period that Columbus gained knowledge and experience in navigation and exploration, which eventually led to his transatlantic voyages.
Overall, the relationship between Christopher Columbus, Madeira, and Porto Santo is intertwined through Columbus’s stay on the islands, his marriage to a Porto Santo noblewoman and native, and the role of these islands as strategic stops during the Age of Exploration.
Madeira Rum
1. Geographical Indication (GI): Madeira Rum has a Geographical Indication (GI), which means that it can only be produced in a specific geographical area, in this case, Madeira, a Portuguese archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean.
2. Sugar Cane Juice: Unlike many other types of rum that are made from molasses, Madeira Rum is made exclusively from sugar cane juice. This classification as an agricultural rum sets it apart from other rums.
3. Traditional Production: The production of Madeira Rum follows traditional methods that have been passed down through generations. This includes the fermentation and distillation of sugar cane juice, which contributes to its unique flavour profile.
4. Unique Quality: Madeira Rum is known for its unique quality and characteristics. The combination of sugar cane juice and the traditional production processes results in a spirit with a distinct and appealing taste.
5. Persevering History: Like many spirits, the history of Madeira Rum has had its share of challenges and uncertainties. However, it has persevered over the years, maintaining its status as a sought-after and prized spirit.
6. Seduction of Connoisseurs: Madeira Rum is highly regarded by connoisseurs who appreciate its distinctive flavour and the craftsmanship that goes into its production. It is a spirit that often appeals to those with a discerning palate.
7. Imitation-Proof: The combination of its unique production methods, geographical indication, and history makes Madeira Rum difficult to imitate. This rarity adds to its allure among spirits enthusiasts.
In summary, Madeira Rum is a unique and historically significant spirit that is deeply rooted in the traditions of Madeira. Its distinct production methods and the use of sugar cane juice set it apart from other rums, making it a prized and appealing choice for those who appreciate the artistry of craft spirits.
Simon Hales, analyst at Citi, said: “The super-premium rum category has been highlighted by many industry observers as the next exciting growth category in spirits. Given similar craft credentials to other brown spirits, ‘sippability’ and opportunities to expand in upmarket bars and restaurants, it clearly has potential.”
Advanced Technology
Christopher Columbus was an explorer and pioneer in his time, the distillery will rely on advanced technology to live up to our sustainability commitments: to use less water and land and to leave the smallest carbon footprint compared to traditional rum-making processes. We will use the services of the highly respected scientific consultants. In an industry steeped in tradition, we will be different from anything you’ve seen or tasted thanks to a refined yet creative approach; one that aligns purpose with passion.
We will allow a hand-selected cultivar of bespoke flavours to erupt within each bottle while using less wood, water, and energy than any rum ever before. We believe we can apply a proprietary scientific method to rum and use less wood, energy, and water.
A rum to be recognised worldwide for superior premium quality from the Christopher Columbus 1477 Distillery®
Tokenised Rum Casks
For the first time, investors around the globe can buy into the Premium Rum market through fully legally compliant, fractional, tokenised ownership. Powered by blockchain. All tokens are held in their personal wallet. No party has access to their wallet.
Fractional and frictionless investing and ownership of Christopher Columbus Distillery’s Super Premium Rum Casks, using Blockchain transactions secured on the Ethereum blockchain – a decentralised and distributed ledger.
Our Heritage
The first trace of rum distillation in the Western world dates to the 1420s in Madeira, 200 years before the first distilleries in the Americas and Caribbean. More than six centuries later, Christopher Columbus 1477 Distillery® strives to perfect the process’s long-held traditions. Our goal is to grasp every clue about the rum-making culture
It is only right that the golden nectar – rum comes from the Golden Island of Porto Santo: an island where Christopher Columbus lived and married, the seed for his adventure.
Our objective is to bring soul, substance and storytelling to the fore and create a product of exceptional quality that has taken incredible skill and craft to produce.
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