Anther Herrera is among the many ex-gang members whose life was modified by Santa Teresa Rum and its Challenge Alcatraz program.
The initiative began in 2003 after three males tried to rob a safety inspector on the Hacienda Santa Teresa. They had been supplied a alternative: to be handed to the police or to work without cost on the Hacienda for 3 months. They selected the latter and the Challenge was born. The choice made by the primary gang modified the lifetime of a whole group and that of 10 different gangs that got here later.
Chilled had the pleasure of speaking to Anther Herrera about his previous and the way he was in a position to go away it behind and begin a brand new more healthy, profitable life because of Challenge Alcatraz.
Discuss to us about being a Life Shaker Ambassador for Santa Teresa Rum.
I was a part of a prison gang. Now, I’m a Life Shaker Ambassador for Santa Teresa 1796.
My previous, like different Alcatraces, was concerned on this planet of crime and delinquency from a really younger age. I at all times needed to misinform my household, my pals, my spouse, I couldn’t share something with them.
In 2020, after two years negotiating with Challenge Alcatraz, we determined to depart the previous behind and begin a brand new life. Throughout our transformation course of, we acquired psychological help, rugby coaching and values.
For me, this has been a studying course of and the expertise of a lifetime. I’m discovering new issues I assumed weren’t potential earlier than. I’ve had the prospect to journey to Spain and I do know concerning the world of the Spirits trade; I’ve shared my story with individuals all world wide. However most significantly: I can inform my spouse all the things; I don’t have to cover who I’m. I discovered peace.
What do you hope to remove from this expertise.
From this expertise I hope to supply my youngsters and household a greater future. I dream of successful a world rugby match with my workforce: Alcatraz Rugby Membership. I additionally hope that the Union 11 distribution firm, the enterprise owned by gang 11 from Challenge Alcatraz, turns into a nationwide reference of excellence in distribution.
What have you ever realized so far?
I’ve realized that greatness takes no shortcuts. If you wish to obtain nice issues, you should have the braveness to work exhausting; you should have the braveness to alter the sport.
What would you want bartenders to know?
I would like them to find out about Challenge Alcatraz and the facility of second probabilities. Everybody deserves one and should take advantage of out of it.
Discuss to us about ST1796 Rum. What units it aside from different rums?
Santa Teresa 1796 is a rum that has modified the sport within the rum trade. To begin, its manufacturing course of is exclusive: it’s a triple-aged Solera rum. On this course of it combines rums aged individually for as much as 35 years that are then blended and aged once more in two phases of our distinctive Solera. This permits Santa Teresa 1796 to attain a novel easy and balanced profile, which has been acknowledged in worldwide competitions.
Inform us about what you love to do with it, signature cocktails/go-to substances?
What I take pleasure in probably the most when getting ready cocktails is once I seize the cocktail shaker, fill it with ice, Santa Teresa 1796 rum, different substances and shake it! Throughout these 10-15 seconds I really feel comfortable, it’s like time freezes. I take pleasure in it very a lot.
What’s your favourite factor you realize about this rum?
Our Maestros Roneros Nancy Duarte and Nestor Ortega have shared some secrets and techniques with me! However I’m not allowed to share them. What I can say is that I consider that it’s wonderful how they created a novel and particular Solera just for Santa Teresa 1796.
