Licores de Guatemala

What Licores de Guatemala does

Licores de Guatemala is a privately held, vertically integrated Guatemalan producer and distributor of premium aged rums and other spirits, headquartered in Mixco, Guatemala, with brand heritage dating to 1940 when the Botran family arrived from Spain. The group operates through two core divisions: DARSA (production and export of aged rums plus 8 categories of bulk alcohol with 75+ million liters of annual capacity across 12+ countries) and GBS / Guatemalan Bottling Services (12-line contract development, distillation, aging, and bottling for third-party brand owners worldwide). Its owned brand portfolio is anchored by flagship premium aged rums Ron Botran and Ron Zacapa, complemented by mass-market brands Ron XL and Venado, the artisanal Ron Colonial, the aguardiente Quezalteca, the first Guatemalan gin Xibal Gin, cane-based Cane Vodka, and the hard seltzer O-Bit; the group concurrently distributes an extensive imported portfolio (Ballantine's, Tito's, Beronia, Viña Tarapacá, Zignum, etc.) in Guatemala.

The production chain is anchored on the proprietary Sistema Solera dynamic multi-barrel aging method — including Botran Infinito, the world's first rum aged across 8 distinct cask types — and is governed by the Ron de Guatemala Denominación de Origen Protegida. Operations are sustainability-verified end-to-end: ISO 14064-3 carbon-neutral status, 80% process-water recycling, 72+ million KWH of renewable energy from sugarcane bagasse, and offset oxygen from 1.85+ million trees under Foresa and Ingenio Tululá, with multiple ISO, HACCP, KOSHER, ISCC, SMETA, and ISO 37301 compliance certifications. Brand experience is delivered through three Casa del Ron Experience Centers (Guatemala City, Antigua, Airport) and Museo Casa Botran in Quetzaltenango.

Revenue is generated across five streams: own-brand spirits wholesale, imported-brand distribution, B2B contract bottling (GBS), bulk alcohol sales (DARSA), and tourism/experiential revenue. The company serves premium spirits consumers, B2B brand owners/entrepreneurs, bulk alcohol buyers, and experiential tourists, with marketing centered on owned brand experiences, dedicated social channels, sustainability storytelling on its corporate website, and a digitalized supplier procurement platform (SAP Ariba Network adopted 2023).

Name

Licores de Guatemala

Legal name

Licores de Guatemala

Website

https://licoresdeguatemala.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Licores de Guatemala is a privately held Guatemalan producer and distributor of premium aged rums and other spirits, operating through DARSA (75M+ liter annual production capacity, 12+ country exports) and GBS (12-line contract bottling), with flagship brands Ron Botran and Ron Zacapa, an imported spirits distribution arm, and Casa del Ron experience centers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Aged Rum and Spirits Production

NAICS

Distilleries (312140), Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers (424810), Beer, Wine, and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (4248)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Alcohol Importers & Brand Owners (Wholesale) (CRAOAIAB), Alcoholic Beverage Brand Owners & Holding Companies (Multi-category Portfolios) (CRADAIAL)

Keywords

• Aged rum production
• Premium spirits distribution
• Contract beverage bottling
• Bulk alcohol supply
• Spirits brand portfolio

Headquarters

HQ city

Mixco

HQ country

Guatemala

HQ region

Latin America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Production and distribution of premium aged rums and spirits: Core business producing and distributing own-brand premium aged rums (Botran, Zacapa, Ron Colonial, Ron XL, Venado, Quezalteca), gin (Xibal), vodka (Cane), hard seltzers (O-Bit), and other spirits to national and international markets. Generates revenue through one-time product sales through wholesale, distributor, and direct channels.
2. Distribution of imported international wine and spirits brands: Imports and distributes recognized international brands in Guatemala across wines (Viña Tarapacá, Mancura, Morandé, Santa Rita, Beronia, PradoRey, Garzón, Urbezo, Piattelli, Elixio, VIK, 4 Soles, Sarmientos, Gran Andes, Casa Real, Etnia, Feeling, Caminito, La Escondida, Cruz Alta, Santa Helena, 7 Colores, Finca La Escondida, Mancura, Los Haroldos, Vinamar), sparkling wines (Segura Viudas, Gran Barón, André, D-Vino, Vinamar), whiskies (Ballantine's, Spey River, King Charles, Hogs 3, Nomad Outland, Sir Mark Royal, Old Friend, Wilton), tequilas (Alacrán, Orendain, Ollitas, Tequila Postumo), mezcals (Zignum, Señorio), vodkas (Tito's, Petrov, Blat, The London Nº1), gin (The London Nº1), vermouth (La Copa), and cocktail mixers (Finest Call, Master of Mixes, Reàl).
3. B2B contract beverage development and bottling services (GBS): Provides end-to-end beverage services including conceptualization, formulation, packaging and marketing advisory, legal advisory, distillation, aging, bottling (12 production lines), storage, and distribution to entrepreneurs and brand owners globally. Business models include full turnkey (GBS procures materials) or transformation-only (client supplies materials).
4. Bulk alcohol production and supply (DARSA): Industrial production and sale of 8 types of alcohol (Industrial, Potable, Medicinal, Dehydrated, Neutral, Extraneutral, Light, Heavy) to alcoholic beverage companies worldwide.
5. Tourism, tastings, and experience-based revenue (Casa del Ron / Museo Casa Botran): Paid experiential offerings at three Experience Centers and Casa Botran Museum, including Botran Experience tours (Q 300), Blending Experience (Q 300), Mixology Experience classes, tastings, and on-site retail purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Licores de Guatemala is the largest producer and distributor of premium aged rums and other high-quality spirits in Guatemala and international markets. Through its operating divisions DARSA and GBS (Guatemalan Bottling Services), it produces own brands (Ron Botran, Ron Zacapa, Ron XL, Ron Colonial, Xibal Gin, Quezalteca, Venado, Cane Vodka, O-Bit) and distributes a broad portfolio of imported wines and spirits. It also offers B2B contract beverage development, distillation, aging, and bottling services through 12 production lines.

Product overview

Licores de Guatemala is a single corporate platform organized around two operating divisions (DARSA for alcohol and aged rum production, and GBS / Guatemalan Bottling Services for third-party beverage development and co-packing) that together produce and distribute a broad portfolio of branded spirits. The owned brand portfolio is anchored by flagship aged rums Ron Botran and premium Ron Zacapa, complemented by mass-market brands Ron XL and Venado, the artisanal Ron Colonial, the aguardiente-flavored Quezalteca, the cane-based Cane Vodka, the hard seltzer O-Bit, the artisanal Xibal Gin line and its ready-to-drink variants, the value Otros Aguardientes family (Jaguar, Kuto, Guaca, Chaparrita, Gavilán), and the Wine & Co experience concept. The portfolio is complemented by an extensive imported brands distribution arm spanning premium wines (Tarapacá, Mancura, Morandé, Santa Helena, Garzón, PradoRey, Beronia, Vik, Santa Rita, etc.), sparkling wines (Segura Viudas, André, Vinamar, D-Vino), whiskies (Ballantine's, Nomad, Spey River, etc.), tequilas/mezcals (Alacrán, Orendain, Ollitas, Zignum, Señorio), vodkas/gins, and professional cocktail mixers (Finest Call, Master of Mixes, Reàl). Brand experience is delivered through the three Casa del Ron Experience Centers and the Museo Casa Botran, while corporate social responsibility runs through Fundación Licorera and the company operates under the Ron de Guatemala Denominación de Origen Protegida.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ron Botran: Guatemalan premium aged rum brand aged under the Solera system; product line includes Botran Reserva Blanca, Oro, 8, 12, 15, 18 Sistema Solera 1893, Roajú, Cobre, Cristalino, Non-alc, KIʼ and Infinito.
• Ron Zacapa
• Ron XL
• Ron Colonial
• Xibal Gin
• Quezalteca
• Venado
• Cane Vodka
• O-Bit
• Wine & Co
• Otros Aguardientes (Jaguar, Kuto, Guaca, Chaparrita, Gavilán)
• Casa del Ron
• Museo Casa Botran

Products and services

• Ron Botran Flagship pure cane Guatemalan rum brand aged using a dynamic Sistema Solera across multiple cask types (ex-American whiskey, ex-sherry, ex-Port, ex-Ribera del Duero). Portfolio spans Reserva Blanca, Oro, 8, 12, 15, 18 Sistema Solera, plus limited editions Roajú, Cobre, KI', Infinito (exclusive 1,893-bottle batch), Cristalino, and Botran Non-alc.
• Ron Zacapa Ultra-premium aged Guatemalan rum brand aged at 2,300 meters above sea level in Quetzaltenango. Portfolio includes Zacapa Edición Negra, XO, Royal, and Heavenly Cask Collection limited editions like La Pasión.
• Ron XL Iconic regional white rum brand aged up to 24 months, with flavored extensions including XL Sour Blast, Limón & Pepino, Manzana & Limón, Piña & Coco, Limón & Berries, and Mandarina. Available in 250 ml to 1.75 L formats.
• Ron Colonial Artisanal aged rum from Antigua Guatemala, produced in small batches with handcrafted details. Blend of rums aged 3-10 years in American oak and toasted American oak, with hand maceration of plums, raisins, and vanilla.
• Xibal Gin First artisanal Guatemalan gin, copper-pot-still distilled with Mesoamerican botanicals. Line extensions include Xibal Equinox (guava-grapefruit edition) and ready-to-drink Xibal Gin & Tonic and Xibal Equinox Spritz.
• Quezalteca Iconic Guatemalan aguardiente brand offered in multiple flavors including original, Jamaica (17° G.L.), Tamarindo, Mora, Naranja Pepita, Fresa, Piña, and Sandía. Available in 1000 ml and 125 ml presentations.
• Venado Mass-market Guatemalan aguardiente/rum brand. Product family includes Aguardiente Venado (36% ABV), Sello de Oro Venado, Venado Light (25% ABV), and ready-to-drink Venado Clásicos in Suerito, Rojo, and Campechano variants (5% ABV).
• Cane Vodka Sugar-cane-based vodka brand offered in Vodka Red Cane (36° G.L., 750 ml) and Vodka Black Cane variants.
• O-Bit Hard Seltzer Hard seltzer brand launched in 2023, naturally flavored with lemon, berries, mango, or watermelon. Gluten-free, low-sugar, 100 calories, 5% alcohol.
• Otros Aguardientes (Jaguar, Kuto, Guaca, Chaparrita, Gavilán) Portfolio of value aguardiente brands (Jaguar 125 ml @ 30° G.L.; Kuto 125 ml; Guaca 1000 ml/125 ml; Chaparrita 1000 ml/500 ml/250 ml/125 ml; Gavilán) sourced from Guatemala.
• Marcas Importadas (Imported Brands Portfolio) Distribution portfolio of imported wines and spirits including wines (Viña Tarapacá, Mancura, Morandé, Santa Rita, Beronia, PradoRey, Garzón, Vik, etc.), sparkling wines (Segura Viudas, André, Vinamar), whiskies (Ballantine's, Spey River), tequilas/mezcals (Alacrán, Orendain, Zignum, Señorío), vodkas/gins (Tito's, The London No. 1), and cocktail mixers (Finest Call, Master of Mixes, Reàl).
• DARSA (Destiladora de Alcoholes y Rones, S.A.) Industrial production and sale of 8 types of alcohol (Industrial, Potable, Medicinal, Dehydrated, Neutral, Extra-Neutral, Light, Heavy) and alcoholic beverages (aged and non-aged, heavy and light rum, coffee liqueurs, RTDs, flavored, gin, vodka). Capacity of more than 75 million liters exported to over 12 countries.
• GBS (Guatemalan Bottling Services) Contract beverage development and bottling service for entrepreneurs and brand owners worldwide. 12 production lines for alcoholic (for distribution outside Central America) and non-alcoholic beverages. Services include beverage conceptualization, formulation, packaging/marketing advisory, legal advisory, distillation, aging center, bottling, warehousing, and distribution.
• Casa del Ron Experience Centers Three Experience Centers for rum tastings and brand immersion: Casa del Ron Guatemala, Casa del Ron Antigua Guatemala, and Casa del Ron Aeropuerto, offering tastings, tours, and direct retail purchases.
• Museo Casa Botran Heritage museum and tour at Casa Botran in the highlands of Quetzaltenango (2,300 m above sea level) where Botran rums are aged. Tours include Botran Experience (Q 300), Blending Experience (Q 300), and Mixology Experience.
• Wine & Co Wine-focused experience/community space where members learn, share, and enjoy wine as a passion.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75+ million liters annual production capacity across 8 alcohol types
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature7 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• SAP Ariba NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationLicores de Guatemala selected SAP Ariba Network as its sole cloud-based procurement platform to digitalize and simplify Procure-to-Pay operations across purchasing, invoice verification and treasury with suppliers. The platform is provided free of charge to suppliers and supports purchase orders, confirmations, delivery notifications, service entry sheets, invoicing, tax withholding certificates, and payment notices. Live rollout is phased by supplier group with onboarding support provided.
• DISAL (Distribuidora Salvadoreña)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDISAL is part of Licores de Guatemala's Corporate Group alongside DARSA and GBS. Listed on the Quienes somos page as a corporate group entity, indicating a sister/affiliate company within the broader group corporate structure (www.disal.com.sv).
• Foresa and Ingenio TululácoreOthersMore than 1,850,000 trees under the protection of Foresa and Ingenio Tululá generate the oxygen used to offset Licores de Guatemala's carbon footprint. Ingenio Tululá also reuses sugarcane bagasse to produce over 72 million KWH of clean/renewable energy used in operations.
• Viña Tarapacá (Chile)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicores de Guatemala distributes Viña Tarapacá wines in Guatemala across multiple lines including Etiqueta Negra, Gran Reserva, Reserva, Varietal, and Edición Aniversario 150 lines.
• Mancura (Chile)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of Mancura wines in Guatemala, including Guardián, Etnia, Etnia Semi Sweet and Etnia Moscato lines.
• Morandé (Chile)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of Morandé wines in Guatemala, including House of Morandé, Gran Reserva, Estate Reserva and Pionero lines. Morandé House of Morandé blend won Gold Award at the New World Reds category in 2019.
• Viña Santa Rita (Chile)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of Viña Santa Rita wines in Guatemala, including Tres Medallas, 120, Colección Privada, Estate Reserva, Secret Reserve, Medalla Real Reserva/Gran Reserva, Pewën, Triple C, Bougainville, and Casa Real lines.
• Ballantine's (Pernod Ricard)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of Ballantine's Scotch whisky in Guatemala, including Ballantine's Finest and Ballantine's 12.
• André / Carlo Rossi (E.&J. Gallo Winery)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of André sparkling wines (Brut, Moscato, Rosé) and Carlo Rossi generic wines (Red, White, Rosé, Sangría, CS) in Guatemala.
• Bodegas Beronia / Gonzalez ByasscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of Beronia (Rosé Tempranillo, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva, Verdejo) and Gonzalez Byass sherries (Tío Pepe, Pedro Ximénez Néctar, Noé VORS) plus Vermouth La Copa in Guatemala.
• PradoRey (Spain)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of PradoRey Ribera del Duero wines in Guatemala, including Élite, Gran Reserva, Reserva, Crianza, Cuvée Premium, Origen, Rosado FB, Blanco, Colección Barricas, Adaro, El Cuentista, and Sr. Niño lines.
• Bodega Garzón (Uruguay)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of Bodega Garzón wines in Guatemala, including Reserva Cabernet Franc, Tannat, Albariño, Cabernet de Corte, Tannat de Corte, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Rosé de Corte and Pinot Noir Rosé.
• VIK (Chile)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of VIK wines in Guatemala, including La Piu Belle Blend, Milla Cala Blend, Vik Blend, La Piu Belle Rosé, Vik A Cabernet Sauvignon, Vik A Carmenere, Vik A Cabernet Franc. VIK was named best vineyard experience 2019 (Wine Enthusiast) and 10th best vineyard in the world 2020 (William Reed).
• Zignum MezcalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of Zignum mezcal in Guatemala, marketed as 'the most awarded mezcal in the world', including Añejo, Reposado, Joven, and Cristalino variants.
• Señorío MezcalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of Señorío mezcal in Guatemala, including Añejo, Joven, Reposado, and Abocado con gusano de maguey variants.
• Tequila Orendain (Mexico)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of Tequila Orendain in Guatemala, including Blanco, Extra Oro, Gran Orendain Blanco, Gran Orendain Reposado, and Gran Orendain Añejo variants.
• Tito's Handmade Vodka (USA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of Tito's Handmade Vodka in Guatemala; small-batch distilled in Austin, Texas.
• The London Nº1 Original Blue GinminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of The London Nº1 gin (turquoise blue bottle) in Guatemala.
• Piattelli Vineyards (Argentina)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of Piattelli wines (Mendoza and Cafayate regions) in Guatemala, including Reserva Malbec, Gran Reserva Malbec, Natural Sweet, and Torrontés.
• Vinamar (Chile)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of Vinamar wines and sparkling wines (Brut, Demi Sec, Ice, Rosé, Unique) in Guatemala.
• Segura Viudas (Spain)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of Segura Viudas cava/sparkling wines in Guatemala, including Reserva Heredad, Brut Reserva, Semi Seco Reserva, and Brut Rosado.
• Finest Call / Master of Mixes / Reàl cocktail mixerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of professional cocktail mix brands in Guatemala, covering the full range of mixers (Margarita, Mojito, Piña Colada, Bloody Mary, Daiquiri, fruit purees, syrups).
• Tequila Alacrán (Mexico)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of Tequila Alacrán (Los Altos, Jalisco) and Mezcal Alacrán (San Dionisio Ocatepec, Oaxaca) in Guatemala. Established 2010 for production, packaging, distribution and sale of tequila, mezcal, liquors and agave products.
• Great Place to WorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreat Place to Work helps Licores de Guatemala identify, create and maintain excellent workplaces across 50+ countries in 5 continents. Licores de Guatemala has obtained the Great Place to Work recognition multiple times.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Pernod Ricard: Global spirits group whose Ballantine's Scotch and other brands are distributed in Guatemala by Licores de Guatemala. Broad incumbent with overlapping premium-spirits, wine and champagne portfolios, competing for the same on-trade and travel-retail premium share.
• Diageo: Global spirits major with a deep rum portfolio (Captain Morgan, Zacapa Centenario series via regional agreements) plus Scotch, tequila, vodka. Broad incumbent competing in the same aged-rum and premium-spirits adjacencies, with vastly larger distribution and marketing scale.
• Havana Club International (Pernod Ricard / Cubaexport): Joint venture producing and globally distributing the iconic Cuban rum brand Havana Club, with deep aged-rum and Solera expertise. Broad incumbent peer in the premium and aged-rum category that Licores de Guatemala competes with on global shelves.
• Brown-Forman: US-based global spirits major (Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve, Finlandia) increasingly expanding into premium aged and tropical/cane spirits. Broad incumbent with overlapping premiumization strategy, though currently more weighted to whiskey than rum.
• Campari Group: Global spirits group with a portfolio spanning rum (Appleton Estate, Wray & Nephew), tequila (Espolòn), vodka (Skyy), and aperitifs. Broad incumbent competitor in the same premium rum and agave adjacencies.

Direct peers

• Bacardi Limited: World's largest privately held spirits company and a leading global rum producer (Bacardi, Patrón, Grey Goose, Dewar's). Direct peer in aged and premium rum, with overlapping premium-rum category competition against Botran and Zacapa in travel-retail and global on-trade channels.
• Compañía Licorera de Nicaragua (Flor de Caña / Grupo Pellas): Family-owned Nicaraguan rum producer behind Flor de Caña, a globally distributed premium aged rum with sustainability claims. Direct peer in Central American premium rum, competing for the same 'aged-rum-from-Latin-America' positioning in international markets.
• Destilería Serrallés (Don Q): Puerto Rican rum producer behind Don Q and other aged rums. Direct peer in premium Caribbean/Latin American rum, with comparable family-owned heritage, vertical integration, and export-led growth strategy.
• Matusalem Rum: Privately held premium Caribbean rum producer with Cuban heritage (Matusalem Solera aged rums, The Oscars, Celtica). Direct peer in the aged, Solera-method premium rum category, targeting overlapping on-trade and travel-retail accounts.

Regional players

• Industrias La Constancia (AB InBev subsidiary): El Salvador-based beverage manufacturer (part of AB InBev) operating in the Central American alcohol market. Regional peer with overlapping distribution channels, bottling capacity, and HORECA reach across Central America.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/licoresdegt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/licores-de-guatemala-2

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Licores de Guatemala