Gone was the harsh liquor of the past, replaced with a smooth, mellow and refined drink that would continue to develop along with a profound sense of cultural identity.

Matusalem Rum earns the first of many international awards. It receives top honors in 1881, 1904 and 1911, and continues to garner top honors through the twentieth century and into the twenty-first.

Cuba gains independence in 1898. Though the Spanish-American War has a disruptive effect on businesses, the company continues to thrive.