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The Book of Kalembú The story of Jack

Jack observed the rhythmic movement in the contents in his glass. Through it he could also see the resplendent sunset; the blue Atlantic Ocean kissing the white sands of Cabarete in his native Dominican Republic. Jack narrowed his eyes and let the exquisite elixir warm his palate and permeate his being; just as it had done so many times before.

Sipping the drink, he reminiscences about everything that brought him to this moment. Shortly after he had first heard the unique and beguiling word, Mamajuana, his parents, Don Frank and Doña Mirtha Astacio, moved the family to Central America. No one could have known, that years later, this word Mamajuana, would take on such significance in his life.

Having been brought up outside of Dominican Republic, Jack began making comparisons between the traditions, values and customs of Central and North Americans in relation to those of his beloved homeland. When he returned as a young man, Jack decided to observe and absorb as much as he could about his land and his countrymen.

The vibrant color green is as abundant as the native music— Merengue and Bachata— awakening those natal roots that always accompanied him throughout his travels. While exploring his own country, connecting with the humble and hardworking people of Dominican Republic, he couldn’t help but notice many untapped potentials/qualities of the culture/land, that also ignited his entrepreneurial spirit.

One thing that became clear to him was how great consumers Dominicans were of their national products. This led him to develop traditional Dominican products for trade and export. His first ventures were with coffee, then cocoa, spices— such as the ever present Bija— coconut oil, amongst other purely Dominican merchandise.

Subsequently, Jack searched in his memories from childhood, and focused on the things that most represent the culture: music, dancing, celebrations, the world famous national rum, and the strong genetic trait of Dominican society that famously uses any excuse to get together, from baptisms to politics to baseball games, all part of the joyful expression of life.

He thought of the outdoor cooking, the smell of cuava, the local tinder wood, an essential part of cooking on the fogón (An outdoor cooking fire.) He then remembered Mamajuana, a homemade brew with herbs and tree bark, and how it embodies all that is Dominican. He realized then and there that he wanted to make this indigenous elixir available to the world.

Jack immediately begins working on his first prototype, a trial recipe which he takes with him to New York, with the second largest population of Dominicans in the world, surpassed only by the capital of Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo.

Neither the rains of autumn, nor the cold of winter, nor the heat of the summer of 2008 dampers Jack's spirit and purpose. The first blind tests began through liquor stores and small Dominican owned restaurants. Native Dominicans immediately recognized it as their own: "Ah, this is Mamajuana!” and became faithful consumers of his drink, feeling the deep connection and pride to the motherland.

Jack recalls one of the most frequently asked question being, "But where is the tree bark?” He explained how it this was the first production created from formally homemade brew to one produced in a professional capacity. "Wow, it tastes just like at home, as if it had the herbs and bark. Good idea, Jack!”

In 2009, at a fancy food and beverage expo at the Javitz Center, in New York, Kalembú was a break out success; everybody was talking about it. Mamajuana, being a well-known aphrodisiac, Dominicans immediately understood the name Kalembú: a slang word with connotations of great virility.

While Kalembú was making its mark amongst the Dominican diaspora, back home on the island, the brand also achieved acclaim amongst visiting tourists, eventually creating a demand in international markets, especially Europe and China. Studies show the two words that tourists most remember from the Dominican Republic are Punta Cana and Mamajuana.

Kalembú perfectly embodies the history, culture, and spirit of the Dominican Republic — from its’ first inhabitants, to its’ beaches and sun. It is a fusion of cultures, including the Columbian era which brought with it the Spanish language, monotheistic beliefs; mixed with the African culture; to the chiefdoms of its indigenous people, the Tainos of Caribes.

Jack Astacio this time raised his glass and glanced over at the bottle— elegant, and with its well-crafted label and cork. A smile lights his sun-kissed face. Squinting, he sipped the precious liquid which, once again, as an irreverent lady showing her charms, invited him to enjoy. And then, Jack thought: “This is who I am: I am Kalembú".

Kalembú 18 is a limited edition which celebrates the years Jack has dedicated to opening a market for this unique drink from the Dominican Republic. Founded in 2001, it is made entirely by hand under his strict supervision and attention to detail. Kalembú 18 is the exaltation of the Dominican Mamajuana.

Jack Astacio recognizes and accepts what the responsibilities of being a pioneer of Mamajuana means, and that his life is now unmistakably committed to its’ future because, without a doubt, “Mamajuana is Dominican, and its’ name is Kalembú”.