Lorena Vasquez is the woman behind the incredible success of Zacapa rums. After initially working in the beer industry, this Salvadoran woman went on to create the identity and production process for Guatemalan rum. In short, she is a living rum legend. She shared a few words with us about her career during a presentation of the brand.
Were there many women when you joined Zacapa 41 years ago?
When I arrived at the distillery, there were about 200 men and me, Lorena. Things have changed a lot!
What advice would you give to a 20-year-old woman who wants to pursue a career in rum?
If she wants to work in the alcoholic beverage industry, it’s very important to have technical knowledge, especially in chemistry. This is particularly true for rum. You also need to have a good sense of smell, which is very important in this type of work. And you have to enjoy yourself. Because you work a lot, so you might as well enjoy it. When you’re passionate about something, it helps you to be more persistent in what you do. I feel that we, as women, are the ones who set our own limits. But if a man can do it, so can a woman. Except perhaps for the most physical aspects of the job, such as moving barrels.
