Mission- Uniquely Inspired Spirits

When starting La Destileria, Luis Cruz was not only faced with the decision to leave the private sector, but also with the challenge of building a new business model during the ongoing financial crisis in Puerto Rico. His passion for distilled spirits and the desire to bring commerce back home ultimately led him to take on the hurdles and develop Puerto Rico’s most versatile Craft Distilling concept. By using non-traditional distilling and aging methods, combined with a love and enthusiasm for craft products, La Destileria breaks barriers set by Puerto Rico’s rich distilling history and brings forth new interpretations of Puerto Rican Rum. We build unique spirits by imagining each one, developing their inspirations and chemistry, designing the phenomenology behind each fermentation, configuring each step in distillation, and maturation to deliver a unique experience. This is just the beginning… We aim to redefine, one bottle of rum at a time!

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." A.Einstein

Our rums provide a full experience without re-use. Every manifestation of our spirits is focused on quality and nothing comes out the shop if it is not at least a premium manifestation of its best self.

Drink Elegance. Drink Creative. Drink Craft!!

“Life is too short to be bored. We celebrate through our spirits the bold stories that inspired our lives. Salud!” — Luis J Cruz Rivera

Meet the Team

  • Master Distiller Puerto Rico

    Luis J Cruz Rivera

    FOUNDER,
    Chief Spirits Engineer

  • Mark Gembicki

    FOUNDER,
    Chief Operating & Strategy Officer

Luis is a U.S. Army veteran with 27 year’s organizational leadership experience and a Serial entrepreneur. Graduate work from Stanford University and GA Tech. Responsible for the vision and transformation of La Destileria. He implemented the lean manufacturing and experimental design approach responsible for our premium spirits. Originally a designer of hi-tech venture and non-profit development organizations, he now designs spirits.

Mark, a visionary strategy leader with cross-industry experience at executive, Board, and investor level. As he leads the modernization of La Destileria for growth, we can use National opportunities and lessons learned to help build the bridges and opporunities to take our humble and outstanding rum to the world. Mark brings a fresh approach to our corporate thinking and makes the big picture come to focus.

  • Execution Team

    Our team continues to grow and right size to the challenge. Now that we have brought awards and highlights to our products we are ready to focus on growing the team and the experience.

  • Tobi Nicolas - Guard dog and Host

    As a pet-friendly establishment, Toby maintains standards and greets everyone then demands their strict attention for a fun and safe tour.

  • Board Of Advisors

    We are currenlty restructuring our BIG brain-team to help focus in the space between strategy and execution and drive our growth and market relevance. These leaders are profesionals in key areas that drive our success and are advocates that keep the conciense of this corporation grounded.

La Destileria is the first craft rum distillery to have a portfolio of award winning rums that are unique, different, and originate in the Rum Capital of the World-Puerto Rico. ReLaunched in 2016, with new leadership and vision, La Destierlia focuses on crafting great spirits that age elegantly and transform the experience which we share.