Fernando Fernández (distiller)

The Santa Ana plantation is located on land which was granted to his grandfather (whose name was also Fernando Fernández) by the Spanish Royal Crown in 1797.

The Spanish Royal Crown granted him this land in recognition of his service to Spain, here he planted sugarcane and raised cattle.

Manuel Fernández eventually purchased much of the property adjoining his land and soon became the richest man in Bayamon.

In Puerto Rico, families began switching from "brandy" and "cognac", to "Ron del Barrilito".

Fernández also produced "Alcoholado Santa Ana" which is a product derived from alcohol and eucaliptic leaves and is greenish in color.

The company's main offices are still located in the Hacienda Santa Ana with manufacturing facilities in Puerto Rico and in the Dominican Republic.

[4] In 1942, a single barrel, which is stored in the "cellar", was put aside with orders that it should only be opened when Puerto Rico becomes a free and independent nation.