Necessity is the mother of Venezuela's rum revival

In this Thursday, March 26, 2015 photo, bottles of Santa Teresa "Gran Reserva" rum move along the assembly line at the factory in La Victoria, Aragua State, Venezuela. The local industry is benefiting from a larger rum renaissance, as the spirit ditches its association with drunken sailors and joins the ranks of liquors fussed over by connoisseurs. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

In this Thursday, March 26, 2015 photo, bottles of Santa Teresa rum are filled with the precious spirit as they move along the assembly line at the factory in La Victoria, Aragua State, Venezuela. The laboratory-like conditions have served the fifth-generation rum maker well. Santa Teresas 1796 features prominently on any list of the worlds best rums and last year won a gold medal in the Global Rum Masters in London in 2014. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

In this Thursday, March 26, 2015 photo, Jhorgen Romero, Head of Processing and Aging at Santa Teresa looks at the barrels filled with rum at the Santa Teresa rum factory in La Victoria, Aragua State, Venezuela. The fall in international oil prices and the consequent shortage of foreign exchange seriously affects Venezuela's economy, heavily dependent on imports, but for some domestic producers like rum manufacturers it's an opportunity to increase production and meet growing sales inside and outside the country. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

In this Thursday, March 26, 2015 photo, workers keep an eye on the production line at the Santa Teresa rum factory in La Victoria, Aragua State, Venezuela. Key to its success are stringent laws that demand rum be aged for at least two years. And unlike more arid sugar-growing parts of the Caribbean, local rum makers say the fertile soil and cooler climate in the best rum-growing area outside Caracas lends Venezuelan rum a rounder, more flavorful aroma. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

In this Thursday, March 26, 2015 photo, a worker packs bottles of Santa Teresa rum, at the factory in La Victoria, Aragua State, Venezuela. Besides oil, rum is one of the few exports for which the country is steadily building an overseas reputation. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

In this Thursday, March 26, 2015 photo, a worker packs boxes of Santa Teresa rum at the factory in La Victoria, Aragua State, Venezuela. Domestic consumption of Santa Teresa reached a historic high point during the economic turmoil of the early 1990s. But when the economy bounced back 10 years later, people again switched to whisky. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

In this Thursday, March 26, 2015 photo, workers stick labels on rum bottles at the Santa Teresa rum factory in La Victoria, Aragua State, Venezuela. With inflation running above 60 percent, Venezuelans money no longer goes as far, putting whiskey beyond reach for many. Such economic downturns often have prompted a boost in domestic spirits. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

In this Thursday, March 26, 2015 photo, a worker moves boxes containing bottles of Santa Teresa rum at the company's factory in La Victoria, Aragua State, Venezuela. The countrys economic collapse has forced a rum revival. Venezuelan rums overall won six prizes at last years San Francisco World Spirits Competition.(AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

In this Thursday, March 26, 2015 photo, workers fill barrels with rum at the Santa Teresa factory in La Victoria, Aragua State, Venezuela. Venezuela long was Latin Americas biggest market for whisky, which for decades has been recognized as a status symbol. Venezuelans commonly throw back whisky at baseball games and arena concerts, and even working-class families seek out fine Scotch for special events like weddings. But the countrys economic collapse has forced a rum revival. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)