SPAIN GUIDE

The Museum of Anise in Rute

Rute's Anise: A traditional drink with over 400 years of history. 

Set within the southeast region of the beautifully rich landscapes of Sierra Subbetica National Park, in the province of Córdoba, sits the quaint town of Rute, famous for its olive oils, its museums of delicacies and its long history of the production of Anise.

Where once over one hundred distilleries produced the most celebrated drink in Spain, now remain only six. Distilleries Duende, one of the superior distilleries, established in 1908 is now a working museum located in the original building from the early 20th century. Over three exhibition halls within the museum showcase a journey through the history of Rute anise, whose existence was documented in 1603 and has survived until today.

The fascinating journey begins in the stills room, where shiny copper mills of Arabic origin with an approximate capacity of 900 litres are exhibited.

Anise is a natural product obtained from an old process of double distillation.

Anise is a natural product obtained from the double distillation of alcohol, demineralised and decalcified spring water, sugar and "matalahúva" - grains of anise from the Vega of Granada and Serranía de Ronda. Using olive wood or holm oak to heat the coppers over a 12 hour period forces the liquid into a vapour state. This passes into a water-cooled coil, returning the vapour to liquid state again.

The product is collected in a reservoir and the process repeated again with new grains, giving the strong aromatic flavour to the alcohol. The alcohol content of the dry anise is 55°. Adding syrup (dilution of sugar with water) to the distillate allows the production of sweet anise with an alcohol content of 30°. If the dilution is higher, an anisette or cream of anise is produced that is commercialised by Bodegas Duende with the name of Anise Arruza - in honour of the famous Mexican bullfighter, a close friend of Manolete, the most historical bullfighter in Spain.

Anise is used as the basis for the elaboration of different types of liquor by maceration (a technique whereby different types of fruits or seeds are added and left to infuse for several months). From this comes the wonderful Pacha liqueur, along with cherry, coffee and lemon - fashioned for the Italian designers that were commissioned to design gardens and frescos in the affluent homes of Rute as well as the churches. The original maceration tanks can be viewed through glass floors in the museum.

The tour showcases artifacts that are now part of Andalusia's National Heritage.

Aged bottles displaying the practicality and story of their design, from the different patterns of the cut glass which identified the contents in the times before electricity for lighting, to the labels. It was customary that the first factories used animals to identify the liquor in a time when reading was for the privileged, later to be replaced by names of famous public figures such as bullfighters, singers, politicians and even members of the royal family.

As the importance and popularity of anise grew, famous artists were commissioned to design the artwork for the labelling of the bottles. Many other fascinating and unique artefacts, documents and treasures, all relating to the heritage of Rute's anise are displayed within this little gem of a museum, where highly knowledgable staff are happy to detail their histories. This important collection is now a part of the Andalusian Cultural Heritage.

Anise is a drink to be enjoyed as a short, or diluted with water for a longer drink. Visitors to the museum have the opportunity to sample the anise and it's many derivatives, along with gins, flavoured liqueurs and non-alcoholic drinks produced by Duende Distilleries. All products are available to purchase, along with anise sweets and other delightful gifts and souvenirs.

To complete the tour a visit to the Bodega Duende is an absolute muss

Behind the unassuming entrance lies a brandy bodega. This winery is dedicated to the ageing of brandy. After the distillation of wine to extract the alcohol, called aguardiente, it is placed into American oak barrels to mature. Here the Solera system is used - a tier of barrels called criaderas with the solera level at the bottom (hence the name, “suelo” meaning floor). This system of barrelling contribute to the unique taste, colour and aroma of the matured brandy.

Duende brandy commemorate the "Abbot of Rute", the second son of the Dukes of Sessa, who for centuries owned the majority of the vineyards that existed in the locality. Its reputation for superior brandy throughout the years has attracted many famous people to visit the bodega. Visitors can observe the signatures and writings of these on the aged barrels including Literature Noble Prize winner Camilo José Cela, the world's largest art collector Carmen Thyssen, the president of UNESCO Federico Mayor Zaragoza, singer Luz Casal and many important Torero's.

Amongst the signed barrels sits a sumptuously dressed antique oak table with seating for twenty people. This unique, elegant space can be hired for private functions and celebrations, with catering of gastronomic excellence.

Visit one of the most beautiful patios of Cordoba

From the winery, visitors are led through a door of little height, to a hidden beautiful Cordoban patio filled with the colours and aromas of lemon trees, bougainvillea, roses, geraniums and many more, all surrounding the tranquility of a large pond with running fountains.

Plant pots adorn the walls in typical Andalucian style. This is the central point for families to gather, to dine and socialise, with the living accommodation encapsulating the gardens. Visitors can view the charming bedrooms and bathrooms whose doors open out onto the patio. A working kitchen with traditional storage cellar completes the home.

To finish the tour visitors pass through the carriage room. The patio and the large carriage room are the perfect venue for hosting your family celebrations or corporate events. This charming patio is considerated one of the most beautiful Cordoban patios in the Sierra Subbetica, winning many provincial contest organised by the Diputación and the Fundación Viana de Córdoba, Other prizes and awards include: 2017 IWSC Silver and Bronce Quality Awards to Gin Gay. 2017 "Cordobeses of the year" awarded by the Diputacion Provincial of Cordoba to Bodegas Duende, with special mention to Anselmo Cordoba Aguilera, president of the company for his involment in the tourist and cultural promotion of the province of Cordoba.