Rum in the News
RAISING GLASSES
The latest from Raising Glasses is Full Circle 110, an eight-nation blend that comes in at a respectful 55% ABV. The Full Circle project traces the trajectory of sugarcane spirits as they developed across the globe with each region’s character contributing to the unmatched diversity of rum. Given the number of existing navy-style blends, the goal was to create a fully original modern blend, with each year’s release featuring new additions from their single cask collection and their collaborators. This year’s Full Circle release is a joint collaboration between Raising Glasses and Shannon Mustipher and Bryan Inman. It starts with their Base Blend, a proprietary mixture created by E&A Scheer that is made up of 8-year Barbados Rum, 5-year Trinidad rum, 4–23-year Thailand rum, 3-year Jamaica Pot Still rum, 2–5-year Guyana Rum and Unaged Ghana Pot Still. For the 2025 edition, the team added 4-year Privateer (US) rum, 9-year Thailand rum and 3-year O Reizinho rum from Madeira.
https://raisingglasses.com/
BUNDABERG RUM & THE NATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE
Two great Australian icons, Bundaberg Rum (or Bundy as it’s known to its mates) and the National Rugby League are proud to announce the extension of their great partnership for another four years as the 2025 season gets underway. Having been a sponsor of Australia’s most popular sporting code for the last eight years, Bundy will continue to be the NRL’s Exclusive Official Dark Spirit and Alcoholic Ginger Beer, taking the current partnership to 12 years. Hayden Abercrombie, Bundaberg Rum Marketing Manager says, “I’m thrilled to confirm the extension of our partnership with the NRL. Rugby league and Bundy are both at the heart of so much of Aussie culture, you bring these two together, and it’s a match made in heaven. The NRL is an incredible partner that connects so strongly with Bundy’s heartland and our core values align seamlessly, at the heart of both we strive to build community and celebrate mateship. The partnership also gives us an invaluable asset to leverage in pubs, bars and off-premise liquor store retailers across the country, offering consumers the chance to access some incredible value adds and prizes that will get them even closer to the game. This partnership means we can continue to enhance the match day experience in a way that only Bundy can, and I can’t wait!” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said: “Bundaberg Rum has been a loyal partner of rugby league for many years. We look forward to working together on creating great experiences for our fans.”
https://www.bundabergrum.com.au/. https://www.nrl.com/
HABITATION SAINT-ETIENNE &
CONCOURS GĖNĖRAL AGRICOLE 2025
The Concours Général Agricole is a benchmark event in the world of agricultural rum. It is organized every year during the Paris Agricultural Show at Porte de Versailles. It is an opportunity for a large number of producers, artisans, and players in the agri-food world to showcase their expertise and products: wines, charcuterie, dairy products, and rum! A jury awards Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals for each category. This year HSE won a total of seven medals: four Gold, one Silver and two Bronze. The Gold medals were awarded to:
- Château La Tour Blanche Finish 2016, an extra aged rum from their ‘Finitions du Monde’ range that has been finished for 12 months in barrels from Château La Tour Blanche, 1er Cru Classé of Sauternes.
- Rozelieures 2013 HSE Single Malt Agricole Rum is the result of a collaboration with the Rozelieures distillery.
- Aged for over 6 years in oak barrels, it was then refined for at least 8 months in ex-unpeated Single Malt whisky casks.
- XO Aged Rum
- VSOP Aged Rum
https://www.rhum-hse.com/en/
CAPTAIN MORGAN
New Captain Morgan Sweet Chili Lime delivers a one-of-a-kind taste, merging sweetness, zesty citrus flavors, and notes of subtle chili heat. Unlike anything that’s ever hit your lips, Captain Morgan has created a flavor experience so epic, it demanded a new word to define it, introducing the world to “Mouth-Blowing.” This game-changing libation will slap your taste buds into overdrive, perfect for when you and your crew are craving getting off the beaten path and turning up the flavor. “With flavor trends heating up, we wanted to create something that defies the rules of traditional rum,” said Anne Nosko, VP, Captain Morgan. “Captain Morgan Sweet Chili Lime gives fans exactly what they’re craving – the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, and a bold flavor experience with every sip.” If you’re still scratching your head about what it means to be mouth-blown, don’t worry, Captain Morgan brought in reinforcement. Actress, writer and producer Amrit Kaur and comedian and writer Devon Walker are here to spell it out for you. Both lexiconned in flavor, fun and made-up words, they’re the perfect pair to define what it means to be “mouth-blown” and bring to life the Captain Morgan Sweet Chili Lime signature touch of sweet and kick of heat. “When Captain Morgan asked me to team up again, I was all in. And when they asked me to help define “mouth-blowing”, admittedly I wasn’t exactly sure where they were going with all this,” said Walker. “Turns out, Captain Morgan Sweet Chili Lime is the real deal ... trust me, you’re going to want to get a taste.” “Give an Indian some chili and lime and she’s in,” laughs Amrit Kaur. “Lots of fun riffing and improvising with Devon, along with shooting ideas with the full cast and crew.”
www.CaptainMorgan.com
FLOR de CAŇA
Flor de Caña is proud to announce its official induction into the prestigious International Green Industry Hall of Fame (IGIHOF), an honor that recognizes the brand’s historic commitment to social and environmental stewardship and its pioneering role in advancing sustainable practices within the spirits industry. The brand’s comprehensive approach to sustainability, such as being the world’s first Carbon Neutral and Fair-Trade certified spirit, distilling its rum with 100% renewable energy and having planted over 1 million trees, has solidified Flor de Caña’s position as a leader in the global movement towards environmental and socially responsible practices. “Flor de Caña’s dedication to sustainability and leadership in promoting green practices have set a high standard in our industry. This recognition celebrates not only the brand’s achievements but also its unwavering commitment to creating a more sustainable future,” acknowledged the IGIHOF.
Flor de Caña’s induction into the International Green Industry Hall of Fame marks a significant milestone for this 135-year, family-owned brand, reaffirming its dedication to the well-being of employees, communities and the planet. Flor de Caña is deeply grateful to the IGIHOF for this honor and is committed to continuing its mission of producing rum of exceptional quality while leading efforts with partners around the world to build together a greener future for everyone. www.flordecana.com
BRUGAL
Brugal has announced its most premium expression to date: Andrés Brugal Edition 02. Fifth-generation Maestra Ronera Jassil Villanueva Quintana meticulously crafted this distinguished rum as a tribute to founder Andrés Brugal Montaner, the Brugal Maestros Roneros who followed in his footsteps, and the monumental journey that brought Brugal to international acclaim, including their historic voyage to the United States, which marked the internationalization of their rums. Only 416 bottles are available globally, with a limited allocation exclusively for the U.S. market. Building on the success of the first release, which honored Brugal’s Dominican roots, this time, Edition 02 celebrates the spirit of exploration that has defined Brugal since its founding, paying tribute to one of the places with which it has a strong history and legacy, the United States. “This series is a tribute to my family’s legacy and the remarkable journey that brought our rum to the world,” said Villanueva Quintana. “Andrés Brugal Edition 02 reflects the unwavering craftsmanship and creativity that have propelled us forward, from the sunlit shores of Puerto Plata to global recognition. This rum exemplifies the meticulous artistry and bold vision of our Maestros Roneros, crafting a liquid that connects our heritage with a future of endless discovery.” The journey begins with the selection of four rare American oak bourbon casks chosen for their unparalleled ability to enrich the rum with layers of complexity. Each cask contributes its unique character, infusing the liquid with subtle whispers of woody warmth, vibrant citrus, and the delicate spice that defines Brugal’s signature style. Under the expert craftsmanship of Jassil Villanueva Quintana, these casks are meticulously blended to create a liquid of exceptional depth, inspired by Brugal’s rich history with the United States and its unwavering pursuit of perfection. Andrés Brugal Edition 02 is housed in a custom-designed case that reflects the brand’s spirit of discovery. The case features a red coin and a map of the Americas, symbolizing the voyages of Don Andrés Brugal and the generations of Maestros Roneros who followed in his footsteps. Inside, a hand-blown crystal decanter and two exclusive glasses invite collectors to savor this rare rum in its finest form. https://www.brugal-rum.com/en
NEXT CENTURY SPIRITS & BLUE CHAIR BAY RUM
Next Century Spirits announced the acquisition of Blue Chair Bay Rum, a key move in expanding its presence into the premium rum category. This award-winning spirit, the world’s largest independently owned rum, was created and built by East Tennessee songwriter/superstar Kenny Chesney and has sold millions of cases to date. Chesney will continue to infuse his vision as one of NCS’s largest percentage owners and will play an integral role moving forward. “Blue Chair Bay Rum has endless potential, and we’re excited to bring it into the NCS family,” said Anthony Moniello, Co-CEO of Next Century Spirits. “Kenny created something special, a great tasting rum with a rich story. At NCS, we’re building a team of fast-moving entrepreneurs and a portfolio of bold, unique brands for the next generation of spirits drinkers. Adding Kenny and Blue Chair Bay to our vision is another incredible step forward.” Kenny Chesney said “Blue Chair Bay Rum was created to capture my life, as a spirit to share with friends. This rum is the result of a lot of fun, passion, sunshine, good people and No Shoes Nation energy. Next Century Spirits embraces those same qualities. They have a passion for innovation and going to new places. This is going to be cool.” Rob Mason, Co-CEO of Next Century Spirits added “Teaming up with Kenny is a natural fit for NCS, and we are excited that he will play an active role in the company, Blue Chair Bay Rum strengthens our vision and marks another step in accelerating our growth as we work to shape the spirits of tomorrow.” Blue Chair Bay® Rum is an award-winning premium brand steeped in Kenny Chesney’s heart and love for living, from beach to bottle. An authentic Caribbean rum, blended with natural ingredients, it’s available in: Spiced, White, Coconut, Banana, Coconut Spiced, Vanilla, Key Lime Rum Cream, Banana Rum Cream, Pineapple Rum Cream and Coconut Spiced Rum Cream. Kenny Chesney worked with one of the world’s great master blenders, Mike Booth, to create the blends. Next Century Spirits, headquartered in Zebulon, North Carolina, is a full-service distilled-spirits company, building a strategically developed portfolio of owned brands and offering private label solutions, co-packing, and bulk supply.
https://bluechairbayrum.com/, www.nextcenturyspirits.com
MASTER OF MALT
Master of Malt is now shipping to more states in the US. The recent additions are West Virginia, South Dakota, North Dakota, New Hampshire, and Iowa. More good news if you live in Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Arizona, or Colorado, as they have managed to shave some dollars off your shipping costs as well. Worried about tariffs and extra charges?
Relax, with Master of Malt the price you see is always the price you pay. There are no tariffs or hidden extras - ever. They have one of the best selections of rums in the world, including rums you have probably never seen on the shelf. Better yet, they offer several hundred rums in 30 ml sample bottles.
https://www.masterofmalt.com/
MAISON FERRAND & PLANTERAY RUMS
With Barge 166, Maison Ferrand is revolutionizing the aging process with the world’s first floating cellar with an exclusive opportunity to select your own spirit and follow its aging alongside a community of fellow enthusiasts. This classic 1948 Freycinet barge from Paris has been hand restored and specifically re-designed and equipped to hold 1,500 30-liter barrels filled with Planteray rums (or Ferrand cognacs) below deck. Barge 166 is devoted to their Private Barrel program, giving you the chance to own a rum (or cognac) barrel customized with your very own name. You have the choice of several distillation options: traditional pot still for a full-bodied profile, column still for a smooth and elegant taste, or a harmonious blend of the two. As all terroirs of rum show distinct personalities, you can choose rums from Barbados, Fiji or Jamaica. As the ageing process further defines a spirit, Private Cask Owners have the option of a single vintage expression or a blend of several vintages, as well as a choice of younger spirits (aged 3 years) or older rums that have aged 12 years or longer. Your personalized spirit will complete its maturation process on board Barge 166 in a 30L French Oak cask that is treated to the degree of charring that you prefer. Light, medium and strong charring options add yet another custom element to your bespoke rum. For a period of 6 months to 2 years, your Private Cask will rest in our floating cellar, where the high rate of humidity will enhance its concentration and intensity. When you decide that your cognac or rum has reached the peak of maturity and ultimate flavor potential, they will bottle your specially designed expression in 50cl personalized bottles (approximately 50 bottles per 30L cask) and deliver them to the address of your choice. “Our floating cellar on the Seine, designed to store barrels below water level, is an innovative environment for maturing great cognacs and rums, and will enable us to further develop our experiments” said Alexandre Gabriel, founder of Maison Ferrand. To understand this centuries-old technique, look back to the era of long sea voyages, when the rocking motion of the waves intensified the spirits’ aromas in the barrels as they interacted more closely with the wood. To replicate these conditions, a specially designed jack, powered by a solar-panel motor, creates rolling motions at night. Meanwhile, the barge’s natural humidity, the temperature variations inside the cellar, and the smaller size of the barrels all enhance the rich aromas of their rums, as well as a perfect melding of tannins. https://barge166.com/
ALAMBIQUE SERRANO
Oaxaca’s Cañada region is not only home to some of the world’s most interesting rums, it is also a habitat for hundreds of unique species, few of which can be found in other parts of Oaxaca. The Alambique Serrano Vida Nativa series celebrates that native life with rare, one-off single casks and blends of Oaxacan rum from the Krassel family:
- Single Cask #1: Cañamazo 58.7% ABV • 266 bottles. Cañamazo is a large, nitrogen-fixing tree that can grow up to 80 feet tall. Found in central and South America, this habitat-providing tree bears vibrant red sheaths that house onyx-colored seeds in the month of June. Alongside the Río Blanco, a mature Cañamazo shelters a small Alambique Serrano aging cave. This single cask was fermented from 100% cane juice in pine tanks with ambient yeast. It was distilled by Rommel Krassel on a copper alembic pot still and aged for 2 years in new French Oak followed by 3 months in new Hungarian Oak. The angel’s share was 20%.
- Single Cask #2: Venado Temazate 62.5% ABV • 250 bottles. The Venado Temazate is a deer species that can be found in the cloud forests of the Cañada region. They are relatively small for deer, weighing between 35 and 65 lbs. Despite their tiny size, they are prolific seed propagators, and their small antlers are a necessary adaptation to their vegetation-dense, understory habitat. This single cask was fermented from 100% cane juice in pine tanks with ambient yeast. It was distilled by Rommel Krassel in a copper alembic pot still and aged for 22 months in new French Oak followed by 2.5 months in Acacia wood. The angel’s share was 25%.
- Single Cask #3: Perro de Agua 62.9% ABV• 262 bottles. The nocturnal Perro de Agua is an otter species that, unlike most other types of otters, tends to enjoy solitary conditions. They find ample nesting spots along the Río Blanco, which offers an abundance of dense vegetation and rock crevices. Their webbed feet and strong, muscular tails make them skilled swimmers. This single cask was fermented from 100% cane juice in pine tanks with ambient yeast. It was distilled by Rommel Krassel in a copper alembic pot still and aged for 22 months in new Acacia wood followed by 4 months in red wine cask. The angel’s share was 19%.
- Single Cask #4: Tepezcuintle 58.1% ABV• 295 bottles. The Tepezcuintle is a semiaquatic rodent that was believed to be a guardian of the natural balance by some pre-hispanic societies. The name Tepezcuintle comes from the Nahuatl language and roughly translates to “mountain dog” in reference to their hilly, jungle habitat. They are excellent swimmers, and use ponds and rivers as a refuge from predators. This single cask was fermented from 100% cane juice in pine tanks with ambient yeast. It was distilled by Rommel Krassel in a copper alembic pot still and aged for 24 months in new French Oak followed by 4 months in new Hungarian Oak. The angel’s share was 10%.
- Blend #1: Pico Canoa 57.7% ABV • 574 bottles. Big-billed Pico Canoa Toucans are celebrated for their vibrantly colored beaks. In the late afternoon, their yelping sounds can be heard echoing from the Río Blanco, where they feed upon wild fruits and nest in the cavities of large riverside trees. This two-barrel blend was fermented from 100% cane juice in steel and pine tanks with ambient yeast. It was distilled by the Krassel brothers in a copper alembic pot still and their homemade Krassel Still. The Krassel Still rum aged for 25 months in new French Oak and 4 months in a red wine cask. The pot still rum aged for 28 months in new French Oak and 3 months in a red wine cask. The angel’s share was 11%.
The Alambique Serrano Vida Nativa series will be launched this month in select markets: New York, California, Florida, Illinois, Washington DC, Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Texas.
https://www.alambiqueserrano.com/
