Travelers Liquors Limited At 70
Travelers Liquors Limited is celebrating seventy years as one of the nation’s leading spirit manufacturers. What Jaime “Don Omario” Perdomo started as a bar in Belize City in the 1950’s, is now an internationally recognized company with third and fourth generation leadership. Travelers Liquors Limited is a story of Belizean heritage, ingenuity and longevity. For its seventieth anniversary, the company launched two new rums. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story in tonight’s installment of Belize On Reel.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Travelers Limited was founded seventy years ago by the late Jaime “Don Omario” Perdomo and his wife Perla.
Magali Perdomo- Gabb
Magali Perdomo- Gabb, General Manager, Travelers Liquors Limited
“What started as a dream of a young entrepreneur has grown into a proud Belizean family company. The company’s first fifty years were managed mostly by men. The women were always in the background supporting them. But now I am extremely proud to say that in the last twenty years or so more women had become involved to now being managed by mostly women, which includes my sisters and myself.”
On Wednesday night, family and friends gathered at the factory in Belize City to celebrate seven decades of high quality spirit manufacturing. In 1953, Don Omario opened a bar in Belize City named Travelers where he began creating his own rums. This led to the creation of the award-winning One Barrel Aged Rum.
Perla Perdomo
Perla Perdomo, Executive Chair, Travelers Liquors Limited
“At nine years old in 1938, his humble ambition was to sell his basket of food to all of his people at a well established distribution business. As he stood outside the offices, he watched his then competitor, a twelve year old girl sell all of her basket of food. With little formal education and no connection, at just ten years, he would become one of the top national sales men of the same distribution company, where he would learn the ropes of the distribution business and understand the liquor market of the country. Travelers was born from a boy’s ambition to provide for his family.”
When Don Omario’s sons Romel and Jaime Perdomo Junior became of age, they joined the family business. Their youthful energy and enthusiasm contributed to the growth of the company. Romel passed away in February 2022. He was affectionately known as “The Wolf”. In honor of Romel’s legacy and contributions to the company, for its seventieth anniversary, Travelers unveiled its Wolf Edition Rum.
Perla Romy Perdomo
“The formidable blend carefully aged in ex-bourbon casts and rested an additional nine months in ex-cherry cast with every sip we celebrate life, loyalty and the passion of our brother and father Romel. His vision of expanding our capacity leaves Travelers the legacy of being known worldwide for its excellence in aged rums. He was a powerhouse within the travelers heir dome. Join us as we pay tribute as share this intricate and sophisticated blend.”
Today, Travelers Liquors Limited‘s distillery, aging and bottling plant are modernized to meet strict export standards. The company now sells its products across Europe, Canada and the United States. In 2008, Travelers released the Don Omario’s Vintage Rum which is aged for ten years. For its seventieth anniversary, Travelers also unveiled the Don Omario’s XO Rum which is aged for eighteen years.
Amanda Perdomo
Amanda Perdomo, Director, Travelers Liquors Limited
“This is the oldest rum we have ever released and we now are releasing today Don Omario’s XO. It is delightful rum, almost perfect. It offers a complex delightful flavor that excites your senses. It is ruby red in color. The notes on the nose are rich with aromas of cherry, fruitcake, vanilla and toasted coconut. On the pallet there is a harmony of flavors with smooth notes of caramel, vanilla, butterscotch and oak that is so well balanced it provides and elegant sweetness of tropical fruit also.”
What started as a little bar in Belize City has grown into an internationally recognized company. And as the company has expanded, so has the Perdomo family, all gathered to celebrate seventy years of dedication and excellence.
Jaime “Maito” Perdomo
Jaime “Maito” Perdomo, Master Blender, Travelers Liquors Limited
“I would like to thank the people who have been with us since the inception and those that have been with us. It goes without saying that I would have to thank the founders, my late father, Omario Perdomo and my brother Romel Perdomo. Of course, my sweet mom Mrs Perla Perdomo who is here with us today. We thank you for your support over the last seventy years and look forward to another seventy. I hope you enjoy these two fine products but remember always to drink responsibly.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
