Among connoisseurs, collectors, and those devoted to preserving humanity’s finest treasures, the name RHum Ancienne 1772 requires little introduction. Not only is it recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest bottle of rhum in the world, but it also holds the distinction of being the most valuable bottle of rhum ever recorded.
If the unique artwork created by renowned Italian painter Roberto Ferri on the legendary The Macallan 1926 60-Year-Old captivated the world, then the famous Spanish artist Jordi Díaz Alamà has once again left an indelible mark on history through his extraordinary artistic intervention on the RHum Ancienne 1772.
A PERFECT COMBINATION
A symbol of history, culture, and heritage should never be allowed to fade into obscurity with the passage of time. It is precisely this belief that inspired the acclaimed Spanish artist Jordi Díaz Alamà to breathe new artistic life into this extraordinary bottle. Through delicate brushwork and remarkable craftsmanship, he has elevated its significance while paying tribute to one of the most exceptional spirits ever created.
Alamà masterfully transforms the bottle into a dreamlike and evocative canvas, inviting viewers into a world of imagination and emotion. His composition opens a gateway to a Caribbean sugarcane plantation at the close of the eighteenth century, where the sweetness of molasses mingles with the scent of the sea and the inexorable passage of time.
At the heart of the artwork stands Methe, the Greek goddess associated with divine intoxication and ecstasy, an eternal embodiment of rhum’s spirit and allure.
She gazes gently toward the heavens, suspended between reality and reverie, immersed in a state of blissful intoxication. Calm and serene, she listens to the wind weaving through endless fields of sugarcane. Her flowing crimson hair cascades like an infinite river of amber rum, symbolizing both richness and eternity. The relentless passage of time is reflected in the oak casks surrounding her. Here, age does not diminish beauty; rather, it deepens character and enriches flavor. As rum matures, it gains greater complexity and depth, yet Methe remains unchanged—a timeless symbol of pleasure, celebration, and the immortal soul of the “sugar wine.” Patient and graceful, she waits for those who seek her, inviting them to surrender to an everlasting intoxication of the senses.
This remarkable work is executed in oil on a traditional gesso imprimatura ground. Alamà limited himself to only four pigments: lead white, yellow ochre, mercury vermilion, and ivory black. Such restraint demands extraordinary mastery, requiring meticulous blending and layering to achieve the depth, weight, texture, and emotional resonance that define the piece.
Painted directly onto glass, the artwork was carefully conceived to reflect the true age and historical character of the bottle itself. Multiple translucent glazes were applied to create the appearance of a timeless classical painting, imbued with the elegance and patina of centuries past. Every element of the work was executed entirely by hand, making it a singular creation—one that exists nowhere else in the world.
Once again, RHum Ancienne 1772 has secured its place in history. Beyond holding two prestigious Guinness World Records, it now bears the hand-painted artistry of Jordi Díaz Alamà, one of Spain’s most celebrated contemporary painters. The convergence of classical painting, modern aesthetics, and one of the world’s most extraordinary historic spirits has given rise to a masterpiece of enduring significance—an achievement that transcends collecting and stands as a testament to humanity’s cultural legacy. This is more than a bottle. It is history, art, and immortality brought together in a single, unparalleled creation.