Rum in the News
APPLETON ESTATE
Appleton Estate announced the global debut of The Source 51-Year-Old, its rarest and longest aged expression to date. This historic release of just 25 decanters marks a significant milestone for the 275-year-old distillery and sets a new standard of excellence for the category. Aged exclusively in Jamaica’s tropical climate for over five decades, The Source is a singular masterpiece of provenance and patience. This one-of-a-kind, single marque rum was meticulously crafted from Appleton Estate’s own single estate sugar cane, using open fermentation and distilled exclusively in the estate’s traditional copper pot stills. Laid down in a single American oak cask on July 30, 1973 in the Estate’s most iconic aging warehouse, it was originally overseen by Master Blender Owen Tulloch, and then later entrusted to his protégé and successor, Dr. Joy Spence, the first female Master Blender in the spirits industry. “Tasting this beautiful expression with Owen over 40 years ago sparked my lifelong passion for the possibilities of aged rum,” said Dr. Spence. “This release is a tribute to the artistry, dedication, and spirit of our people; from the hand-harvested cane and traditional distillation to the stewardship of our barrels across generations. Jamaica and rum are inseparable, much like the heart and soul captured in The Source.” Each of the 25 exquisite decanters pays homage to Jamaican excellence and Appleton Estate’s 275-year legacy. The heart-shaped decanters showcase the rum’s rich mahogany color, transitioning into a crystalline aquamarine base that reflects the purity of the limestone spring. The decanter is crowned with a handcrafted copper rendition of Jamaica’s national bird, the Doctor Bird, set against a navy backdrop. It is housed in a striking turquoise case adorned with a radial straw marquetry pattern inspired by pressed cane.
https://www.appletonestate.com/
PLANTERAY
Maison Ferrand and Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery are honored to announce that Planteray Cut & Dry Coconut Rum has won Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient at this year’s Spirited Awards®, held on Thursday, July 24, 2025 in New Orleans, at Tales of the Cocktail®, a non-profit organization devoted to educating, advancing, and supporting members of the global hospitality community. Produced at the historic Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados, one of the oldest and one of the only beachfront distilleries in the Caribbean, Cut & Dry is made using sun-dried Barbadian coconut. The rum is the result of four years of development and nearly 100 recipe trials, a testament to the patience, creativity and precision of the team behind it. Accepting the award on behalf of the Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery was Ramon Watson, Manager of the Visitor Center: “This award belongs to everyone who helped bring Cut & Dry to life, the team at the distillery, the local farmers, the guests who visit us, and the bartenders who believed in this rum from the very beginning. It’s a moment of pride for all of us in Barbados.” Alexandre Gabriel, Owner and Master Blender of Maison Ferrand and Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery, shared his thoughts: “We like to say we build the instruments, and bartenders play the music. Seeing Cut & Dry celebrated in this way is deeply moving, not just for the innovation behind it, but for the hands and hearts that have carried it forward.”
www.planterayrum.com
KOLOA RUM COMPANY and REYES BEVERIDGE GROUP
Kōloa Rum Company announced a new distribution partnership with Reyes Beverage Group in California, effective July 1st, 2025. The distributor transition follows RNDC’s recent announcement that it will no longer operate in California, prompting Kōloa Rum Company to seek a partner with strong in-state capabilities to ensure continued growth and availability across the region. “California has always been a vital market for Kōloa Rum, and this transition ensures we can continue building momentum in the state,” said Bob Gunter, President & CEO of Kōloa Rum Company. “We’re pleased to partner with Reyes Beverage Group, whose strong presence and proven capabilities in the market will support our continued growth. We remain grateful to RNDC for their longstanding partnership and look forward to continuing our relationship with them in other markets.” This transition marks an important step in Kōloa Rum’s long-term national growth strategy and comes at an exciting time for the company, which recently launched its newest innovations, Kōloa Kaua’i Cane Fire Hot Cinnamon Flavored Hawaiian Rum and Kōloa Kaua’i Single-Batch Aged Rum. The latter is crafted in single-batches, distilled from the finest pure cane sugar, then carefully aged for a minimum of 5 years in select charred American White Oak Barrels at the distillery in Kalaheo, Kaua‘I, and bottled at 92 proof. Each batch will reflect the unique impact of time, temperature, and humidity on Kaua‘i, telling a story shaped by Kaua‘i’s ocean air, volcanic soil, and island rhythms.
https://koloarum.com/
KAUAI RUM SAFARI TOUR
Kauai Safaris offers a tour where you will sip on Koloa Rum, enjoy a signature Mai Tai, meet and interact with farm animals, and have a fresh cocktail made with fruits and herbs grown right here on the plantation. Step into their one-of-a-kind open air rum safari trucks and head out back into the beautiful fruit orchard where you will see exotic fruits like lychee, longan, cashew, and mangos growing on the trees. As you pass through Elmer’s farm, you will get a first-hand look at the papayas and assortment of veggies growing in the fields before they are sold at the local farmer’s market. Then you will descend down into Kahuna Nui Valley, where you will disembark the truck for a stroll on a boardwalk through a tropical rainforest to a private oasis to taste the award winning Kōloa rum and enjoy a signature Mai Tai. After relaxing by the river, it is off to see the heard of wild pigs, goats, and donkey. For those feeling adventurous, your guide will give you some feed to interact with the friendly animals. One of the longest cultivated crops grown in the area, besides sugar cane, is taro, a main staple of the Hawaiian people. At the Loi Lanai (Taro Porch), their mixologist will whip up a farm-to-glass cocktail that will knock your socks off. We are talking about a drink made entirely from fruits and herbs that are grown right on the plantation. It doesn’t get any fresher than that.
https://www.kauaisafaris.com/kauai-rum-safari-tour/
J. WRAY & NEPHEW
J. Wray & Nephew Limited, Jamaica’s first registered company, celebrates its 200th anniversary this year, 200 years of continuous operation, innovation, and community partnership that have shaped both Jamaica’s economic landscape and the global spirits industry. Founded in 1825 by entrepreneur John Wray, the company has stood the test of time, transforming from a single tavern in Kingston into one of the Caribbean’s most iconic and enduring producers of rums and spirits. With this anniversary, J. Wray & Nephew cements its place not only as a pioneer of the Jamaican rum industry but as a pillar of national development, philanthropy and culture. “Two hundred years ago, J. Wray & Nephew became Jamaica’s first registered company. Today, we’re not only celebrating our endurance, but our contribution to the country’s commercial fabric. This moment is a tribute to Jamaican resilience, creativity, and enterprise. It is a celebration that honors not just our longevity, but our evolution as a corporate citizen that has consistently adapted to serve Jamaica’s economic development while building a global brand,” Daniel Caron, Managing Director of J. Wray & Nephew Limited told the South Florida Caribbean News. “Our bicentenary is not just a celebration of our past; it’s a powerful statement about the future of Jamaican enterprise. For two centuries, we’ve proudly carried the spirit of Jamaica across the globe, and we remain committed to honoring our roots while forging bold new paths for the generations to come,” Caron added.
https://www.wrayandnephew.com/
RON MATUSALEM
Earlier this year, Ron Matusalem started their Master Blender Tour 2025, led by the brand’s Master Blender, Cynthia Vargas. The first half of the tour visited seven European cities: Berlin, Paris, Madrid, Budapest, Brussels, Vilnius and Prague and finished in June. The tour will resume in October with a focus on Hong Kong, Shanghai, Bangkok, Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur. During the tour, Vargas shares her experience with experts and industry professionals, explaining the brand’s history, expertise in aging and blending, wood selection, and modern innovations in premium rum. Vargas also planned to make an announcement about a new ultra-premium product during the tour. Vargas has trained as a food engineer and holds a Master’s degree in quality systems and studies in oenology at the University of California. She joined Ron Matusalem in 2003, where she works alongside the fifth-generation Álvarez family.
https://matusalem.com/
BLACK TOT
Last month, London-based Elixir Distillers released the latest, annual edition of its Black Tot Master Blender’s Reserve Rum, a perpetual blend of the world’s finest and rarest rums. This year’s release celebrates the 55th Anniversary of Black Tot Day and includes a special last remaining cask of their inaugural limited-edition release, Black Tot 50th Anniversary. As usual Black Tot is extremely transparent about this year’s blend:
40% comes from Guyana, 24% from Barbados, 13% from Jamaica, 5% from Trinidad and 18% from what they call the Perpetual Blend. The Guyana rums are from the Diamond Distillery, a 21-year continental aged column still rum and 12-year wooden pot still rum. The Barbados rums are from Foursquare and include an 18-year (8 years tropical and 10 years continental) rum and a 7-year (5 years tropical and 2 years continental) rum. The Jamaican rum is an 11-year rum from Worthy Park that spent 5 years in the tropics and 6 years on the continent. To keep up the pedigree, the Trinidad rum, of course, has to be a 27-year-old Caroni that spent 13 years on Trinidad and 14 years on the continent. The Perpetual Blend is a mixture of Black Tot’s 50th Anniversary Rum and their Master Blender’s Reserve 2024, with a splash from the Original Royal Navy flagons.Oliver Chilton, Master Blender of Black Tot Rum, said: “We went back to the beginning of our journey, layering diverse, rich, heavy flavors in a very traditional, naval rum style. In this case, we have not only a nod to 2024 but also a tip of the hat to one of our originals, the 50th Anniversary bottling. It is a privilege to get to work with these incredibly high-quality rums when creating each edition of Master Blender’s Reserve. With every iteration, we learn more about blending rum and how we can take inspiration from techniques from the past to create our future.” The 2025 Master Blender’s edition is offered at 54.5% ABV and is limited to 3,000 bottles.
https://blacktot.com/
MOUNT GAY and SPERRY and COCKTAIL COURIER
This summer, Mount Gay Rum invites you to celebrate the sailing season in style with the limited edition “Après Sail Summer Collection” kit. Curated in partnership with Sperry, the kit features all of the ingredients and glassware needed to craft a refreshing ‘Sparkling Daiquiri’ or ‘Paloma’ cocktail, made with Mount Gay Eclipse, along with complimentary items such as a Mount Gay beach towel and sunglasses, and an exclusive Sperry Shoe Card to order a pair of Authentic Original Boat Shoes in your color and size preference. Mount Gay Rum and Sperry share a deep-rooted bond with the sailing world, trusted by generations who live for life on the water. Sperry is the original boat shoe, a coast icon designed for performance and ease. Mount Gay, the world’s oldest running rum distillery, was born by the sea with an unbreakable bond with sailing. Together, they are celebrating summer at full sail. Named after the 1910 total solar eclipse that was visible from Barbados, Mount Gay Eclipse is a blend of rums distilled in traditional copper pot and column stills, then matured in ex-American whiskey casks. It is a crisp and aromatic rum, perfect for classic summer cocktails enjoyed by the water. The Après Sail Summer Collection Kit includes a Mount Gay Eclipse 750 ml bottle, a Sparkling Wine 375 ml bottle, four Fever Tree Grapefruit Soda 150 ml cans, a Simple Syrup 3.4 oz bottle, an Aromatic Bitters bottle, four Dehydrated Grapefruit Slices, three Limes, two Coupe Glasses, a Mount Gay branded towel, Mount Gay branded sunglasses, a Sperry Shoes gift card and a Recipe Card. The Collection is available from Cocktail Courier.
https://www.mountgayrum.com/, https://www.sperry.com/, https://www.cocktailcourier.com/product/apres-sail-summer-collection
RUM COMPANY OF FIJI
Rum Co. of Fiji has achieved a major international milestone, winning 25 medals across three prestigious global spirits competitions, reaffirming its place among the world’s top rum producers. The awards were won at the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) in London, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), and Germany’s ISW Meininger’s International Spirits Awards. The IWSC saw RATU 5-Year-Old Spiced Rum win Gold, with BATI Coffee Rum Liqueur and Bounty Overproof Premium Dark Rum also taking home medals. Other winning entries include BATI Banana Rum Liqueur, BATI Dark, Spiced, and Coconut Rum Liqueurs, and RATU 10-Year-Old White Rum. At the SFWSC, BATI Coconut Rum, Banana Rum, and RATU 5-Year-Old Dark Rum all won gold. Nine other rums, including RATU’s 5- and 8-Year blends and BATI White and Spiced Rum, received silver and bronze awards. In Germany’s ISW Awards, five rums, including BATI Coffee Rum and RATU 10-Year-Old White Rum, won gold. “This clean sweep across continents confirms Rum Co. of Fiji’s standing among the world’s premium rum producers and highlights the growing global recognition of Fiji made spirits,” Rum Co. of Fiji said in an announcement last month. “These wins are for Fiji,” said Mike Spencer, General Manager of Paradise Fiji, the parent company of Rum Co. of Fiji. “They prove that Fiji crafted rums can compete and win on the world stage. All three competitions are internationally respected for their rigorous judging criteria and expert tasting panels. Winning at this level signals not only the outstanding quality of our rums but also Rum Co. of Fiji’s commitment to craftsmanship, innovation and authenticity. With every medal, Rum Co. of Fiji continues to raise the bar for the Pacific and showcase what is possible when bold local ingredients, traditional methods and world class expertise come together. This is a proud moment for Fiji and a reminder that our small island nation is producing spirits of global distinction,” Mr. Spencer said.
https://rumcooffiji.com/
LA MAISON & VELIER
Distillerie de Port-au-Prince is one of the Caribbean’s newest and smallest distilleries. Established in 2018, the distillery produces their Providence brand of rum. As a follow-up to the ‘First Drops’ and ‘Dunder & Syrup’ releases in the US Market, this new three-year old expression stands out for its energetic and richly spiced notes on a backdrop of lush fruit. Distillery de Port-au-Prince’s Providence Rum is crafted with respect for the land, agriculture and people of Haiti. Additive-free. 52% abv. Providence Rum sprung out of the passion of the Linge Family whose history of working in rum dates back to the 18th century. Master Distiller Herbert Linge Jr. and his family are reconnecting with their roots and rediscovering the methods and techniques of their ancestors. Providence is produced from heritage variety Crystalline sugar cane syrup, sourced from the fields of Michel Sajous located 150 kilometers north of the distillery. Fermentation of the syrup is carried out using proprietary yeasts and dunder, which allows for the development of a particular aromatic complexity before it is concentrated by pot still distillation. This release was aged for three years in ex-Providence casks: new American oak casks with level two charring are meticulously filled and emptied with Providence rum many times repeatedly over a two-year period. The Providence-seasoned casks are then filled for aging in the tropical conditions of Haiti, which enables the rums to capture a full expression of its own identity without influence of other spirits.
https://www.lamaisonandvelier.com/
