Rum & Chocolate tasting boutique

Rum meets cacao in Getsemaní. This two-hour tasting pairs eight aged Colombian rums with artisanal Bolivar chocolate made at the company’s own factory, adding pirate tales and plenty of conversation along the way. I like the clear focus on local flavor, and I like that the tasting includes three savory Colombian snacks instead of stopping at sweets.

The main consideration is the $103 price per person, which is a serious spend for a two-hour activity. You are paying for a hosted tasting, eight pours, house-made chocolate, snacks, and a small group capped at 15 people, but anyone seeking a full distillery visit or formal mixology lesson may find the format too light.

Key points to know before you book

• Eight rums in one sitting: You taste premium Colombian rums from different ages and origins, giving you a useful sense of how varied rum can be.
• Chocolate made in-house: The Bolivar chocolate comes from the company’s own factory and uses Colombian cocoa from the Caribbean.
• Three savory local snacks: The food adds a salty, regional counterpoint to the sweet chocolate and rum.
• Pirate stories and a lively host: The tone is social and playful, with stories, discussion, and humor rather than a formal classroom setting.
• Small group setting: The experience accepts no more than 15 people, which should make conversation easier than at a large tasting.
• Easy Getsemaní meeting point: You meet at El Arsenal: The Rum Box 24, Calle Arsenal #8b-19, and finish at the same address.

Starting at The Rum Box 24 in Getsemaní

Your tasting begins at El Arsenal: The Rum Box 24, located at Calle Arsenal #8b-19 in Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias. That gives you a fixed, central meeting point rather than a complicated pickup arrangement. Private transportation is not included, so you need to make your own way there.

The venue is near public transportation, which helps if you are not staying within an easy walk. Your ticket is a paper ticket, and confirmation arrives when you book. I would keep that confirmation handy and allow enough time to reach Calle Arsenal without rushing into the first pour.

The experience ends back at the same meeting point. That is useful for planning dinner, an evening walk, or another activity in Cartagena’s historic center. Since no transportation is provided afterward, you remain responsible for getting to your next stop.

The group limit is 15 people. That is not a private tasting, but it is still small enough for the host to keep the conversation moving and for you to ask questions. Group energy matters here because the experience depends as much on stories and laughter as on the drinks.

Learning how Colombian rum is made

The opening portion introduces the production and history of the rums. The information provided does not promise a full factory tour, so you should think of this as a guided tasting with background, not a behind-the-scenes industrial visit.

That distinction matters. The experience is explicitly not a class. You will learn along the way, but the central goal is to enjoy several drinks in a relaxed setting. If you want technical instruction about fermentation, barrel management, or cocktail construction, you may want a more formal spirits course instead.

I like this approach for a vacation in Cartagena. You get context without having to sit through a long lecture. The host uses pirate stories, open discussion, and humor to explain the drinks, which gives the history a more social shape. One particularly enthusiastic account praised the host’s upbeat personality and ability to talk about both rum and chocolate. No host name is provided, but the hosting style is clearly a major part of the experience.

You should also pace yourself. Eight rums over roughly two hours can add up, even when the pours are tasting portions. The price includes snacks, and those bites are there for more than decoration. They help break up the alcohol and give you something savory between rounds.

Eight Colombian rums, from younger to older

The central tasting includes eight premium Colombian rums with different ages and origins. This is the strongest reason to book. Rather than trying one familiar bottle and calling it a day, you get a broad comparison of Colombian rum styles.

Age and origin give the host useful material to discuss. You can pay attention to how the rums differ in aroma, sweetness, weight, and finish, although the supplied details do not specify the individual labels or exact age statements. You should not expect a published flight list unless the provider gives you one after booking.

The tasting format also lets you notice your own preferences. Some people favor a softer, sweeter pour, while others prefer a more layered aged spirit. Eight samples offer enough range to make that personal comparison worthwhile. You do not need a trained palate. The experience is built for enjoyment, and the host explains rather than tests you.

I would not book this expecting unlimited servings. The description promises a taste of eight premium rums, not full glasses or an open bar. That is a good thing from a pacing standpoint, but it is important when judging the value of the $103 fee.

The rum is described as the company’s own premium aged Colombian rum. That gives the tasting a clear identity. You are not simply being sent to a generic bar for a few commercial pours. The experience is tied to a specific producer and its own products.

Pairing Caribbean cocoa with aged spirits

The chocolate pairing is more than a bowl of candy on the side. You taste artisanal Bolivar chocolate made in-house with Colombian cocoa from the Caribbean. That regional connection gives the sweet course a clear sense of place.

Rum and chocolate work well together because each can change how you perceive the other. Chocolate can make a rum seem softer, while a drier or more structured rum can keep the pairing from becoming overly sweet. The exact chocolates and pairing order are not listed, so you should expect a guided selection rather than a detailed menu of every piece.

I like the fact that the chocolate is made by the same operation offering the rum tasting. It gives the experience a more coherent story: Colombian spirit, Colombian cocoa, and local food in one sitting. You are not just sampling two unrelated products.

The word artisanal can cover a lot of ground, so keep expectations sensible. The available details do not promise a chocolate-making demonstration, a factory tour, or instruction in tempering and molding. The value is in tasting the finished chocolate alongside the rum and hearing how the products connect.

For anyone who enjoys sweets, this is likely the most immediately appealing part. For serious rum drinkers, it adds contrast and keeps the flight from feeling like eight similar pours in a row.

Three savory snacks keep the tasting grounded

The experience includes three savory snacks typical of local cuisine. Their names are not specified, so I cannot tell you exactly what will appear on the plate. Still, their role is clear: they add salt, texture, and local character to a tasting otherwise centered on alcohol and chocolate.

This is a smart addition. A rum and chocolate flight could quickly become heavy, especially in Cartagena’s warm climate. Savory food gives your palate a reset and makes the session feel more like a small food experience than a string of drinks.

You should treat the snacks as accompaniment rather than a meal. The description does not say that lunch or dinner is included, and the price should not be judged as though it covers a full restaurant meal. Plan to eat separately if you need a substantial meal before or after the tasting.

The local angle matters here. Even without a detailed menu, typical Colombian snacks help connect the tasting to Cartagena instead of making it feel like a standard international rum flight. That makes the experience more useful for you if you want food and drink context during your stay.

A relaxed format with pirate stories and laughter

The mood is intentionally informal. You will hear stories about rum production and history, along with pirate tales, fun discussions, and jokes. The provider makes clear that you are not signing up for a classroom session.

That format will suit you if you like learning in conversation. You can pick up useful facts while enjoying the drinks, but you are not expected to take notes or memorize technical terms. The host’s personality appears to matter a great deal, and the strongest praise focuses on an upbeat, engaging presentation.

The tradeoff is that the experience may feel less structured than a formal spirits seminar. If you want a printed tasting chart, detailed production figures, or a lesson in professional evaluation, those features are not promised. This is a social tasting first and an educational activity second.

The group maximum of 15 supports that style. With a smaller group, the host can keep questions and comments moving around the table. Still, the experience is not private, and the atmosphere will depend partly on the other people in your session.

I would book it for a couple, a small group of friends, or a solo visitor who enjoys joining a convivial table. It is less suited to anyone who dislikes alcohol, wants quiet contemplation, or prefers to keep every activity tightly scheduled.

Is $103 good value for two hours?

At $103 per person, this is not a casual stop for one quick drink. The cost makes sense only if you value the full combination: eight premium rums, house-made Caribbean chocolate, three savory snacks, and a hosted presentation with stories.

The small group helps the value. A tasting for up to 15 people can offer more attention than a crowded bar, while the English presentation makes the experience accessible to English-speaking visitors. You are also paying for a focused local activity in Getsemaní, with no need to organize separate rum and chocolate stops.

Still, I would compare the price with your own interests. If you mainly want to sample one good Colombian rum, you can likely spend less at a bar. If you want a formal tour of a production facility, this may not provide enough technical or factory access. The price is easier to justify if you want an entertaining, hosted pairing rather than a simple drink purchase.

The two-hour length is another value point. It is long enough for eight tasting pours, food, and conversation without taking over an entire day. Because the start and end point are the same, you can place it neatly between sightseeing plans in Cartagena.

The activity has received a top rating from the available feedback, with 100 percent recommending it. One especially positive account praised the combination of good rum, chocolate, and an upbeat host. That praise points to the experience’s real strength: the personality and presentation make the tasting feel special.

Who should book this Cartagena tasting?

I would choose this experience if you meet several of these conditions:

• You enjoy rum, chocolate, or both.
• You want to sample several Colombian rums instead of choosing one bottle.
• You like informal storytelling more than formal instruction.
• You want Colombian cocoa and local savory food included.
• You are comfortable spending $103 for a two-hour hosted experience.
• You can reach the Getsemaní meeting point on your own.
• You prefer a group no larger than 15 people.

I would think twice if you do not drink alcohol, need a full meal, or want a factory tour. The experience does not include private transportation, and the description does not promise a detailed chocolate workshop or a technical rum course.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund, so check your Cartagena schedule before committing.

FAQ

Where does the rum and chocolate tasting begin?

It begins at El Arsenal: The Rum Box 24, Calle Arsenal #8b-19, Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia.

Where does the experience end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point where it begins.

How long does the tasting last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

How many rums will I taste?

You will taste eight premium Colombian rums with different ages and origins.

Is chocolate included?

Yes. The tasting includes artisanal Bolivar chocolate made in-house with Colombian cocoa from the Caribbean.

Are food or snacks included?

Yes. Three savory snacks typical of the local cuisine are included.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, though the meeting point is near public transportation.

Should you book this rum and chocolate experience?

Book it if you want a lively Cartagena evening built around local rum, Caribbean cocoa, snacks, and stories. The eight-rum flight gives you a real range to compare, while the in-house chocolate and savory bites make the experience feel more complete than a basic bar tasting.

Skip it if $103 feels high for two hours, or if you want a formal course or full production tour. For the right audience, though, this is a focused and good-humored way to taste Colombian flavors in Getsemaní, with enough variety to make the price worth considering.