Savor Unique Flavors at Aruba’s Artisan Rum Spots

Pepe Margo Distillery sits on Wilhelminastraat in Oranjestad, inside one of the city’s oldest buildings — a restored 19th-century townhouse where copper stills now fill rooms that once belonged to Catarina Margarita Arends. It’s Aruba’s first craft distillery, and it sets the tone for an island that takes its rum seriously but serves it with a casual, story-rich warmth.

Aruba’s artisan rum scene goes well beyond the standard rum-and-Coke. At dedicated tasting rooms and distillery bars, you’ll find flavors like pistachio cream rum, butterscotch liqueur, and rums aged in Jerez barrels paired with locally made dark chocolate. Most experiences keep groups small, which means you get direct access to the guides — often the distillers themselves — and the stories behind each bottle.

This guide covers the three spots that define Aruba’s craft rum landscape: the original distillery in a historic Oranjestad townhouse, a farm-to-table rum-and-chocolate pairing experience, and a quirky tasting room serving flavors you won’t find anywhere else in the Caribbean. Plus, a quick look at two local drinks you’ll want to track down during your trip.

Pepe Margo Distillery

What does it take to turn a 19th-century townhouse into a working distillery? For Jonathan and Claus — the founders of Pepe Margo — it meant a two-year restoration of one of Oranjestad’s oldest buildings, preserving original tiles, walls, and wood fixtures while installing copper stills and a rounded bar made from old barrels. The thick walls keep the interior cool even on hot afternoons, and the Aruban breeze flows through open windows that look directly onto the distilling floor.

Jonathan grew up in the spirits industry at Romar Trading in Aruba and studied distilling at Feller Distillery in Germany. Claus brought experience from co-creating San Pablo rum in Curaçao and Calypso, Aruba’s first hard seltzer. Together they produce rum and gin on-site, using imported molasses and yeast for the rum and botanicals grown in their own garden for the gin. Aging happens in American Oak Bourbon barrels, which gives the spirits a smooth, rounded finish.

The guided distilling and tasting experience runs Monday through Friday from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM — confirm current hours on the Pepe Margo website before you go. The distilling demonstration itself lasts about an hour, after which you taste a range that includes light, dark, and spiced rums. Non-alcoholic options are available, and you can purchase bottles directly from the distillery afterward. The venue is wheelchair accessible and welcomes service animals.

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Bodegas Papiamento

The Rum & Chocolate Sensory Journey at Bodegas Papiamento costs from $60 per person for a one-hour session that pairs three premium aged rums with locally crafted dark chocolates. The rums — Caribbean Carnival, Aruba Style, and Miggy XO — are aged in oak and Jerez barrels, which gives them a smooth, sweet finish that matches well with chocolate. A complementary cocktail is included in the price.

Bodegas Papiamento operates on a farm-to-table philosophy: they grow their own sugar cane and herbs on-site, which feeds directly into both the distilling and the kitchen. The tasting is chef-driven, with each chocolate pairing chosen to complement a specific rum’s profile. Beyond the sensory journey, the distillery also offers a Discovery tour from $45 and a VIP Tasting from $70, both of which have received 5.0 ratings from verified guests.

The experience is wheelchair accessible, service animals are welcome, and public transport stops nearby. It’s not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health. Cancellations made at least 24 hours in advance receive a full refund.

Reserve the Rum & Chocolate Sensory Journey on Viator or check the Discovery Papiamento Distillery tour for a broader look at the operation.

The Arubian Taste

Pistachio cream rum, coconut, caramel, butterscotch. The flavor list at The Arubian Taste reads like a dessert menu, and that’s exactly the point. Located in Orange Plaza in Oranjestad, this small tasting room specializes in sweet, playful rums and liqueurs that you won’t find at a standard bar. The pistachio cream rum is the standout — it’s rich, nutty, and unexpected, the kind of flavor that makes you double-check what you’re drinking.

The space is casual and unpretentious. The staff — often the owners or locals connected to the business — share the origin stories behind each flavor, and the atmosphere leans more toward hanging out with friends than formal tasting. You can order cocktails built around the house rums, and bottles are available for purchase if you want to take a flavor home. The Arubian Taste works well as a quick stop during a walk through Orange Plaza, though it’s also worth settling in for a round of samples if you have time.

Ponche Crema and the Aruba Ariba

Ponche Crema is a creamy, spicy holiday liqueur that shows up at Aruban family parties and Christmas gatherings. It’s thick, sweet, and spiced — closer to eggnog than rum, though rum is often part of the blend. You’ll find it on menus at local bars and restaurants, especially during the winter months, and some tasting rooms include it as a sample.

The Aruba Ariba is the island’s signature cocktail, and it’s a full-on production: rum, vodka, Coecoei (a local liqueur made from the divi-divi tree), banana liqueur, fruit punch, Grand Marnier, and grenadine. It’s served at happy hours and beach bars across the island, often in a tall glass with plenty of ice. If you want to taste the full range of Aruba’s local spirits in a single drink, this is it.

Planning Your Tasting Route

Most tasting experiences operate Monday through Friday, with afternoon windows starting around 1:00 PM. Pepe Margo runs 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and sessions typically last one to two hours depending on whether you choose a distilling demo, a tasting, or both. Bodegas Papiamento’s sensory journey is a focused one-hour session. The Arubian Taste is more flexible — walk-in friendly during plaza hours, though smaller groups have a better experience.

Booking ahead is essential during peak season — winter and festival months fill quickly. Both Pepe Margo and Bodegas Papiamento offer online reservations through their Viator listings or direct websites. Group sizes stay small at both spots, which means popular time slots do sell out. Bring cash or a card if you plan to buy bottles — most spots sell their rums and liqueurs on-site.

All three locations are wheelchair accessible and welcome service animals. Pepe Margo and Bodegas Papiamento are near public transport routes in Oranjestad. The Arubian Taste is in Orange Plaza, a pedestrian-friendly area. Non-alcoholic options are available at Pepe Margo and likely at the other spots — confirm when booking if this matters for your group.

Before You Go — Aruba Rum Tastings

Can you buy bottles at the distilleries?

Yes. Pepe Margo sells its rum and gin directly after the tasting, and The Arubian Taste offers bottles of its flavored rums and liqueurs. Bodegas Papiamento also sells its aged rums on-site. Bring cash or a card — both are accepted.

Are kids allowed at the tastings?

Policies vary. Pepe Margo allows infants but they must sit on an adult’s lap. Some spots permit children for the educational portions of a tour. Check with the specific venue before booking if you’re traveling with kids.

What’s the best time to go?

Tastings run year-round, but winter and festival seasons fill quickly. Book at least a few days ahead during peak months. Afternoon sessions starting around 1:00 PM are the standard window for most experiences.

Do you need to book in advance?

Yes for Pepe Margo and Bodegas Papiamento — both have capped group sizes and popular slots sell out. The Arubian Taste is more walk-in friendly, though a small group will have a better experience. Reserve online via Viator or the venue’s direct site.

Are non-alcoholic options available?

Pepe Margo offers non-alcoholic beverages during its tasting sessions. For the other spots, confirm when you book if someone in your group doesn’t drink.

Proost — Aruba’s Rum Scene Is Worth the Trip

Aruba’s artisan rum spots offer something the island’s all-inclusive bars can’t: direct access to the people making the spirits, served in buildings and settings that carry real history. Whether you’re watching copper stills in a restored 19th-century townhouse, tasting rum aged in Jerez barrels alongside dark chocolate, or sipping pistachio cream rum in a casual plaza tasting room, each stop adds a layer to your understanding of the island. For more on Aruba’s food and drink culture — including where to find the best local dishes beyond seafood — check out our guide to Aruba’s must-try local dishes.

References

Pepe Margo Distillery. “Pepe Margo Distillery.” pepemargodistillery.com. ↗

Aruba Tourism Authority. “Pepe Margo: Made Local but Tastes Like the Caribbean.” aruba.com. ↗

For more on Aruba’s food and drink scene, read about the island’s Dutch, Caribbean, and Latin culinary influences, explore the best BBQ joints and grill houses, or plan an evening with night market eats and late-night culinary adventures.