From Revolution to Extra Dry Rum

For years, the United States accused Nicaragua of exporting revolution. Now, the Central American country will ship something even more intoxicating to U.S. shores: Flor de Cana rum.

Flor de Cana is highly regarded by connoisseurs, largely because it is aged--from three years for the extra dry variety, to seven years for the dark grand reserve.

The rum, which is sold in 15 countries in Europe and Latin America, will be made available to U.S. consumers starting March 24.

“Obviously, we have a lot of problems here in Nicaragua,” said Juan Bosco Noguera, Flor de Cana’s marketing manager.

“But this is an opportunity for a good Nicaraguan enterprise to show off what we can do.”

The export also stands to put a dent in Nicaragua’s massive trade deficit with the United States, which closed 1992 at $175 million, and help bring badly needed U.S. dollars into the Central Bank of Nicaragua.