Bacardi

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A Puerto Rican-origin rum brand known for its light, clear spirit and global distribution
2. A type of rum produced by the Bacardi company, typically characterized by a smooth and neutral flavor profile
3. A rum brand originating from the Caribbean that is widely used in cocktails and mixed drinks worldwide

Etymology: Facundo Bacardí Massó, a Catalan-born merchant, gave the rum its name when he set up a distillery in Santiago de Cuba. "Bacardi" is his family surname, so the word began as a personal name before it became a brand and then a product name. The company's emblem is a fruit bat, which Bacardí's family reportedly chose because bats nesting in the distillery were seen as a sign of good luck. The image became so closely tied to the name that many drinkers know the brand by its bat before they can spell its surname.