Bernardo de Gálvez: An Unconventional Hero
In 1777, a young Bernardo de Gálvez was appointed governor of Spanish Louisiana. Acting against the British, Spain’s premier foe, he coordinated covert support to the Continental Army supplying arms, ammunition, military supplies and money to George Washington’s struggling troops. Spain formally declared war against Great Britain on June 21, 1779, and King Carlos III commissioned Gálvez to raise a force of men and conduct a campaign against the British along the Mississippi River and the Gulf Coast. Gálvez acted with remarkable speed and resolve breaking convention, uniting soldiers of many cultures and ethnicities—free people of color, Native allies, Acadian refugees, enslaved Africans, and Creole and Spanish settlers. He led this army to a series of stunning victories capturing forts in Manchac, Baton Rouge, Mobile and Pensacola. An uncertain time hand found its unconventional hero, and Gálvez would never suffer defeat.
YO SOLO
An October 1780 hurricane scattered Gálvez’s fleet and delayed his plans to attack Pensacola, England’s remaining outpost in Florida. Six months later, Gálvez launched his offensive. His bold risk-taking led to a breakthrough. When a Spanish naval commander proved reluctant to expose his fleet to British fire by sailing into Pensacola Bay, Gálvez went forward without him. This stroke of bravery cemented Gálvez’s mantra, “Yo solo,” translating to “I Alone.” Through his bold efforts in the quest for American independence — and in Cuba, where he helped reinforce Louisiana’s connection with Latin America and the Caribbean — Gálvez was an instrumental, yet greatly unsung, contributor to Louisiana’s identity and America’s birth.
Inspired by this History We Venture Boldly: At Gálvez, we craft world-class rums with the same spirit and passion that defined our namesake. Just as Bernardo de Gálvez united people from many backgrounds and circumstances, we gather the best ingredients and materials from Spain, France and the Caribbean, all convening in Louisiana to make rums for those who seek the unconventional.
Rum making is an art: The Galvez Rum process begins in Panama, where — seeking distinctive flavors and aromas — our dedicated Rum Master blends the spirits and ingredients of different ages, types, and profiles with meticulous craftsmanship to produce an exclusive, premium rum. Galvez Rums are crafted from molasses before aging — some in Kentucky bourbon barrels, others in Spanish Oloroso sherry and some in French Armagnac casks — before blending and finishing here in Louisiana.
