
Rum in the News
KOLŌA RUM COMPANY
Kōloa Rum Company, Hawaii’s award-winning rum producer and the Official Rum of the Las Vegas Raiders, introduced The Raiders 65th Anniversary Limited Edition Kōloa Spice Rum. This launch celebrates the ongoing partnership with the NFL team that began in 2021. Las Vegas is often referred to as the “ninth island” of Hawaii for its large population of native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. This limited-edition rum is the second release with the Raiders this year, following the Rum Rusher Hawaiian Rum Cocktail in May. These releases mark the continuation of a successful union, offering fans a unique experience that merges “The Spirit of Aloha” with the iconic Raiders team spirit.
“This spice rum is a true celebration of the Raiders’ legacy and our shared commitment to excellence,” said Bob Gunter, President & CEO of Kōloa Rum Company. “Our artisanal rum is crafted for moments like this, and we’re honoring the passion of Raiders fans and bringing the essence of Hawaii’s warmth and culture to every bottle. We’re thrilled to continue supporting the team’s success this season and beyond.”, Crafted from pure cane sugar and pristine rainwater from Mount Waiʻaleʻale, the Raiders 65th Anniversary Limited Edition Kōloa Spice Rum is bottled at 44% ABV. https://koloarum.com/.
KULEANA RUM WORKS
On January 3rd, Kuleana Rum Works will introduce the fourth installment in its Special Release Program, Jamaica 13.
Jamaica 13 started as a molasses wash and underwent the famously free-spirited fermentation that includes wild yeasts and bacteria to form undeniable and hard to replicate flavors that Jamaican rums are famous for. It was pot stilled for maximum flavor in 2006 and aged in a Bourbon barrel in Jamaica for 10 years. It was then shipped to the UK (where Kuleana found it) continuing to age for another 3+ years until Kuleana purchased it in 2020. They emptied the not-quite-full barrel in 2020 at a spicy 54.6% ABV, then proofed it to a gorgeous 47% ABV, netting just 211 bottles. Kickoff festivities will start at noon on January 3rd at the Kuleana Rum Shack in the Queens’ Marketplace in Waikōloa on the Big Island, Hawaii and will feature tastings, bespoke cocktails and specially crafted pupus.
Last month, Kuleana launched its Rum & Guest Chef Series featuring guest chefs who pair the Kohala Coast company of farmers, distillers and blenders’ liquor with innovative dishes. The first event was at their Tasting Room at the Kuleana Rum Shack and featured the theme “Rum & Hawai‘i Island Pork,” with a crafted 4-course dinner, each paired with signature Kuleana Rum Works rum. The featured chefs were:
Chef Olelo Pa’a Ogawa: A celebrated Hawaiian culinary icon with more than 50 years of experience. Born and raised on a sugar plantation in Waipahū, O’ahu, Ogawa’s deep connection to the land and dedication to showcasing locally sourced ingredients earned her numerous accolades, including induction into the Hawai’i Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. Her expertise in farm-to-table cuisine reflects her passion for sustainability and traditional Hawaiian cooking.
Chef George Gomes Jr.: Gomes brings more than 35 years of culinary experience and has had executive positions at Hawai’i’s finest resorts and restaurants from the Kohala Coast to Maui. He’s dazzled diners worldwide with appearances that include New York City and Tokyo. He blends traditional and modern techniques.“This is an amazing opportunity to showcase the deliciousness and versatility of Kuleana rums alongside the craft and passion of chefs, farmers, fishers, producers and brewers that together create the dynamic culinary scene of Hawai‘i Island,” said Keith Mallini, vice president of hospitality for Kuleana Rum Works.
https://kuleanarum.com/
HAVANA CLUB TRADEMARK WAR
On December 1st, 2024, the bipartisan No Stolen Trademarks Honored in America Act, authored by California Congressman Darrell Issa was signed into law by President Biden. The bill was co-led by Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and advanced in the Senate by Florida Senator Marco Rubio and Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. “This bill righted a historic injustice by ensuring that American trademarks stolen by the Cuban regime will no longer be recognized on U.S. soil. This is more than just a law on the books: It is a declaration that the bond between the American people and their intellectual property is sacred, and its confiscation without consent is no less of a theft than the robbing of a bank. My thanks to Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, as well as Senators Rubio and Cortez Masto, for their leadership and dedication to this very just cause,” said Rep. Issa. “Our most fundamental responsibility is protecting Americans from being victimized by our adversaries. This means standing up to foreign malign actors who take advantage of loopholes in our laws to profit from stolen trademarks.” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “I’ve heard Cuban-American constituents recount how their families were stripped of hard-earned wealth, expropriated by autocratic regimes. I’m grateful to President Biden for signing our bill into law and demonstrating the United States’ continuing commitment to combating intellectual property theft.” The bill will prohibit U.S. courts and executive branch agencies from recognizing, enforcing, or otherwise validating any assertion of rights by an individual for a trademark used in connection with a business or assets confiscated by the Cuban regime, unless the original owner of the trademark expressly consented to the transfer of the trademark. https://issa.house.gov/media/press-releases
BLEU MAGIC RUM
Bleu Magic Rum, Dominica’s first premium rum, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with award-winning Bouyon artist Mr. Ridge, marking a pivotal moment in its journey to redefine the global rum scene. Together, Bleu Magic and Ridge will bring a bold, rebellious energy to rum enthusiasts worldwide, celebrating the vibrant culture and spirit of the Nature Island. Bleu Magic, represents a new era for Caribbean rum. Inspired by the Maroons of Dominica, famed for their resilience and defiance against slavery, the rum embodies a “spirit of rebellion” rooted in history yet designed for modern tastes. As a Black-owned brand in an industry dominated by titans with little connection to the Caribbean region, save for its complex colonial past, Bleu Magic stands apart as an authentic export of Dominican heritage and craftsmanship. The inspiration for Bleu Magic lies in the legacy of Dominica’s Maroons, enslaved Africans who escaped plantations and resisted oppression, carving out lives of freedom in the island’s rugged mountains. Made at the Belfast Estate, where rum-making has thrived since the late 1800s, Bleu Magic respects this tradition. It also creates a bold new path. Its sleek branding, premium quality, and cultural connection aim to shift old perceptions of rum. “We wanted to create a rum that captures the essence of Dominica, its wild beauty, its rebellious spirit, and its rich history,” says Elroy Harrow, brand manager for Bleu Magic. “With Ridge as our ambassador, we’re showing the world what the Caribbean has to offer, a premium, authentic product with global appeal.” https://bleumagicrum.com/
ARDENT SPIRITS ACQUIRES DARK MATTER DISTILLERS
Beveridge website Spirit Business recently reported that independent whisky bottler Ardent Spirits has acquired Dark Matter Distillers, Scotland’s first rum distillery, for an undisclosed sum. Aberdeenshire-based Dark Matter Distillers became Scotland’s first rum distillery when it was launched in 2015 by brothers Jim and John Ewan. Following the purchase, the former Dark Matter’s distillery has closed and production has moved to Ardent Spirits’ flagship Burnobennie Distillery in Banchory, Aberdeenshire. Mike Roberts, the former head distiller for Dark Matter, will continue to oversee production of the distillery’s original rum at the new facility. Simon Morrice will oversee the Dark Matter segment of the business as Wholesale and Commercial Manager. “We felt compelled to acquire Dark Matter Rum because of its deep connection to Scotland’s rich distilling heritage,” said Morrice. “This is a brand that broke boundaries as Scotland’s first rum distillery, and we are thrilled to continue its journey under the Ardent Spirits banner.”Since the acquisition, Ardent Spirits said demand for Dark Matter Rum has surged. The brand is now available through a growing network of suppliers and on Amazon. Ardent Spirits will also expand the Dark Matter product line, with plans to release a coffee liqueur and a pineapple liqueur. “This is a new chapter for Dark Matter Rum,” added Morrice. “We’re committed to honoring its heritage while exploring fresh ideas to delight our customers.”
https://www.ardentspirits.co.uk/
VII INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC TECHNICAL COLLOQUIM
The Cuban News Agency reported that “The Knowledge of Cuban Light Rum Masters as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” was the opening lecture of the VII International Scientific-Technical Colloquium held at the San Geronimo College in Havana last month. MSc Yahima Esquivel Moynelo, a professor at San Geronimo and Director of Communication and Image of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gave the lecture at the event organized two years after UNESCO established this knowledge as Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Featured in the program are topics such as mathematical modeling in phytosanitary treatment systems, classification of sugarcane spirits by main component analysis, and sugarcane and rum in Cuba, addressed in lectures by renowned light rum masters and other specialists. There were also tours around the Old Section of Havana, which is also inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and visits to the Museum of Rum, in addition to a cultural gala in the evening at the Minor Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. The Colloquium, a prelude to the 2025 Cuban Rum Festival, gathers participants from a dozen countries.
MOUNT GAY
Barbados Today reported last month that Mount Gay has opened its fifth rum aging bond, increasing storage capacity by nearly 50 percent. The new bond will house an additional 18,000 barrels, pushing the distillery’s total capacity to 64,000 barrels, Master Blender Trudiann Branker said. “Prior to having this bond, our capacity was roughly 44,000 barrels. Now, with this bond, we can hold about 64,000. So, it’s really an investment in the future because most of the rums that we age here will not be for today’s consumption but will be for the next five years, ten years, 15 years. It’s really about making sure that we’re able to have the reserves that we need to be able to satisfy the demand specifically for our more premium offerings. We talked about innovation in a big way when we opened the bond and in order to be able to satisfy the innovation pipeline, you need maturing rums. Building this bond allows us to have these different styles of rum here to be able to further innovate and really occupy that premium space in your rum industry.” Antoine Couvreur, managing director of Mount Gay Distilleries, which has been fully owned for the last ten years by French spirits giant Rémy Cointreau, said the new bond was a significant development for the rum industry in Barbados.
He told Barbados Today “This bond looks to the future, meeting the rising global demand for premium aged rum, as the category grows at a remarkable rate. Our investments here, including the development of this state-of-the-art bond, featuring a special underground cellar like no other in Barbados, and our ongoing commitment to sustainable rum production, are all part of a long-term strategy to ensure that Mount Gay leads at the forefront of this movement.” Speaking at the launch, Minister of Business Senator Lisa Cummins encouraged the island’s rum producers to keep pressing ahead in their efforts to attain a geographical indicator (GI) for their products. She said: “I believe that the time has long come and maybe even long past its accomplishment date for us to have crossed this hurdle and I’m looking forward to the work which I know is underway with you in the industry and also with other government agencies to be able to bring it to fruition.” https://www.mountgayrum.com/
VAPOURA
Last month Vapoura, a British rum company, ran a gifting campaign to combat the homeless crisis by donating winter essentials to those “sleeping rough” in London. “We have all been so shocked by the homeless crisis that seems to be ever-growing in our capital, but more so by the lack of human interaction and thought that society has seemingly dismissed,” Vapoura co-founder Olly Barkley said in a statement according to Spirits Business. “People appear to be so comfortable ignoring those in need when a simple hello, smile or a one-minute conversation could take so little out of our day, yet mean so much for theirs.” The rum brand’s founders donated 100% of their profits from eCommerce and on-premise sales to purchasing coats and other cold-weather clothing. Vapoura’s founders hand delivered these goods on December 23rd and 24th. After the successful launch of Millimeters to Mountains, a charity to empower people to confront their own challenges using the great outdoors as the facilitator, Ed Jackson and Olly Barkley decided to take their lifelong love of rum and the curiosity around the provenance of it, to a new place and create their own. From scratch, with every stage of the process carried out on home soil in England. No white labelling and no blending of rum from other distilleries. Olly says “Choosing to produce Vapoura on home soil was crucial to our liquid and our story as a brand. We’re passionate about championing English craft and the product of it but it also gives us clear sight on each and every stage of the production process.” Ed adds “When we held our first bottle, it represented more than just a bottle of rum to us. it was a tribute to resilience, friendship, and the desire to create something unique and memorable with your favorite people.” Vapoura currently offers two rums, Chapter One and Chapter Two. Chapter One is a spiced rum that gets its flavor from Blood Oranges, Nutmeg, Cardamom, Vanilla, Pink Peppercorns and Ginger. Vapoura Chapter Two is a gold rum with hints of Chocolate, Caramel, Raisins, Tobacco and Vanilla.
https://vapourarum.com/
ANGOSTURA
Angostura has released ANGOSTURA® 200-Year Anniversary Limited-Edition Bitters, a unique blend of globally influenced herbs and spices, many reminiscent of those used by the brand’s founder, Dr. Johann Siegert, in his 1824 apothecary, paired with ANGOSTURA aged rum. This first-ever combination results in a bitters product unlike any other on the market, promising to transform the future of cocktail and mocktail creation much like the original ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters pioneered the bitters’ category 200 years ago. “The special release of ANGOSTURA 200-Year Anniversary Limited-Edition Bitters is both a celebration of where we’ve come from and where we are headed,” said Katie Herrmann, brand director, Mizkan America, Inc., the exclusive distributor for ANGOSTURA® bitters for North America. “This release is more than a nod to our rich history; it’s about ushering in the next 200 years of inspiring bartenders, at-home mixologists and curious cocktails everywhere with a unique and differentiated flavor that will fuel their creativity for years to come.”
www.angosturabitters.com.
TORTUGA RUM
Tortuga Rum Company Limited marked its 40th anniversary last month during a Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event. Chamber President Joanne Lawson said “This 40th anniversary represents not just a milestone for Tortuga Rum Company but a celebration of Caymanian ingenuity and entrepreneurial excellence. Through every rum cake and every bottle of rum, Tortuga has carried the spirit of the Cayman Islands to the world. You have made our islands proud and inspired generations of entrepreneurs.” Founded in 1984 by Captain Robert Hamaty, Tortuga Rum Company began as a small family venture with a vision to introduce Cayman’s unique flavors to the world. Captain Hamaty’s entrepreneurial journey, driven by passion and perseverance, set the foundation for what would become a household name. With his wife Carlene’s unwavering support, the company developed its signature product, the world-famous Tortuga Rum Cake, which remains a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Eugene Nolan, CEO of Tortuga Rum Company, said: The forty years of success that we celebrate tonight has only been possible because of the dedication of our ‘Team Tortuga’, we say, members of our family. It’s their hard work, passion and commitment, both in the workplace and on the broader community, that have made Tortuga the company that it is today. There is so much to look forward to in the future of Tortuga Rum Company, including partnerships and growth that will benefit the entire community.” Recently, the company built a new distillery at its store in Seven Mile Shops. Visitors get a literal window into the production process. The distillery, behind a large glass window, can be seen from the shop and tourists can learn how rum is made and bottle their own to take home. https://tortugarumcakes.com/
CORNISH GEOTHERMAL DISTILLERY
Cornish Geothermal Distillery Company Ltd has submitted the latest application of a project which would be known as Celsius, a pilot geothermal rum distillery with visitor facilities. It aims to make use of surplus geothermal energy at the Eden Geothermal site and has the full support and cooperation of Eden Geothermal and the Eden Project. The proposed development will form part of the UK’s first deep geothermal heat cascade energy system. This energy system already serves the Eden Project itself via a heat main running directly from Eden Geothermal to the Eden Project, and will in turn also serve the ˚Celsius project via a new spur connection off the existing heat main. The Eden Project energy demand varies daily and seasonally, whereas the geothermal energy supply is a constant; the ˚Celsius project would help to ‘balance out’ the use of the geothermal energy supply by drawing on it more when demand from the Eden Project is lower. The primary purposes of the proposed development are rum distilling/maturation and employment, but there would be an element of tourism in that the facility would be open to visiting members of the public for recreational and educational purposes. Attractions would include: Public tours (strictly managed via an online booking system); Rum tastings and masterclasses, two per day and Gift shop stocking bottles of rum, casks of rum, and related branded goods like gift boxes, glasses, coasters, books, etc. The project’s goal is to be off-grid, carbon neutral, self-sustaining and zero waste, through its connection to the nearby geothermal energy supply and use of rainwater harvesting, CO2 capture and passive solar energy technologies.
https://www.celsiusproject.com/
