Erika Riley
June 28, 2020
Angel Rivera and his daughter, Crystal Rivera pose for a photograph next to the still of their recently-opened Puerto Rico Distillery, located on Hughes Ford in Frederick. (Photo by Graham Cullen | FNP)
Angel Rivera and his daughter Crystal have been planning on opening their own distillery for the last two years.
In March, their new business, Puerto Rico Distillery, joined the ranks of Frederick’s craft beverage scene. But Puerto Rico Distillery offers a unique product you won’t find anywhere else in town: pitorro, or Puerto Rican “moonshine rum.”
Angel explained that the spirit isn’t like the moonshine Americans usually think of, which is a corn-based whiskey. The “moonshine” part of the description just refers to the way it was originally produced — illegally. But pitorro has its own distinct taste.
“We did the legal part, but when it comes to the recipes, the formula and everything else, we follow what the moonshiners follow in Puerto Rico to make sure it has that distinct taste and flavor to the product,” Angel Rivera said.
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