Rum in the News
ROAMING ROAD SPIRITS
Mike Gilmore’s goal is to bottle the highest quality Single Cask Rums, Armagnacs, Cognacs, Grain Spirits, or whatever else he finds interesting in this beautiful World of Aged Spirits. His latest rum offerings include:
- 12 Year Mauritius Rum - Distilled from sugarcane juice in a column still, it’s aged in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in a rare cognac cask.
- 12 Year Jamaican Rum – A perfectly balanced medium ester marque, aged 12 years in a single ex-bourbon cask.
- 18 Year Barbados Rum - Distilled at a renowned Barbados distillery, this 18-year-old rum is a masterpiece of pot and column blend distillation, impeccably aged in ex-bourbon casks.
- 11 Year Thailand Rum - Crafted in a column still aged in once-used ex-bourbon casks.
- 18 Year Belize Rum – Distilled in a column still from sugarcane molasses.
- 12 Year Dominican Republic Rum - Distilled from sugarcane juice using a column still.
https://roamingroadspirits.com/
NEOLI HIMALAYAN RUM
Himmaleh Spirits, the creators of renowned brands Kumaon & I and Bandarful, have unveiled Neoli Himalayan Rum, the world’s first White Pure Single Himalayan Agricole-Style Rum. Distilled in the heart of Kumaon, Neoli sets a new benchmark in craftsmanship, blending Himalayan purity with the region’s rich sugarcane heritage.Unlike traditional rums made from molasses or jaggery, Neoli is crafted from fresh sugarcane juice, fermented spontaneously, and distilled in a Double Retort Pot Still, an Indian first. This small-batch rum showcases a smooth vanilla profile with a bright sugarcane finish, bottled at an impressive 49% ABV. Perfect for sipping or crafting refined cocktails, Neoli embodies both elegance and complexity. “Neoli represents our commitment to purity, sustainability, and craftsmanship,” says Samarth Prasad, Co-founder of Himmaleh Spirits. Inspired by the Nyoli bird’s melodic call, this rum is a tribute to Kumaon’s natural bounty, crafted with ethical sourcing and sustainable farming practices. “As consumers demand authenticity and provenance, Neoli elevates the rum category in India and beyond,” adds Ansh Khanna, Co-founder.
https://www.himmalehspirits.com/
KULEANA RUM WORKS
Kuleana just announced the release of Founders’ Cut #1. When they commissioned their new hybrid still in 2023, they wanted to save their precious Hawaiian sugarcane juice, so they recreated it with a molasses, brown sugar, white sugar and water ferment. It was meant to be just a test, but it tasted so good that they aged it in ex-bourbon barrels to see what would happen. Then, for good measure, they added some of their aged Hawaiian Rum Agricole. Founder’s Cut #1 will be available at the Kuleana Tasting Room in Walkoloa Village on the Big Island of Hawaii. All four Kuleana Rum Works® entries just earned Gold Medals at the 2025 Beverage Testing Institute World Spirits Championships, one of the most respected spirits evaluations in the world. Nanea® Aged Rum scored 93 Points, Hawaiian Rum Agricole® 93 Points, Hōkūlei® Aged Rum 94 Points and Huihui® White Rum 94 Points.
https://kuleanarum.com/
CAPTAIN MORGAN
Captain Morgan is launching Captain Morgan Muck Pit Brew, a new brand extension with a flavor-forward liquid innovation that will roll out across Europe, Africa and Asia. Drawing inspiration from the legendary muck pits of the Caribbean rum making process that see overripe fruit tossed into a ‘muck pit’ and fermented in the tropical heat to create a rum with an intensely fruity flavor, Captain Morgan Muck Pit Brew delivers iconic Captain Morgan spice with an extraordinarily tropical twist. Captain Morgan Muck Pit Brew is a gently sparkling tropical brew that blends Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold, brewed mangoes and a dash of hop flavors together for the first time. The result is an innovative liquid that evokes the body of a beer but with the finish of rum. The team behind Captain Morgan Muck Pit Brew looked at how consumers socialize and worked with focus groups to understand the opportunities for the development of a new type of drink. With 91% of respondents saying they’d drink Captain Morgan Muck Pit Brew in a casual setting like a pub or beer garden, the new rum-based innovation provides a delicious new alternative to beer. Mark Sandys, Chief Innovation Officer at Diageo, said: “Captain Morgan Muck Pit is more than just a product innovation; it’s a new brand extension that champions flavor. We combined insights into the evolving ways that consumers socialize today with inspiration from traditional production methods to create the unique innovation that we call Captain Morgan Muck Pit Brew. We can’t wait for it to hit pubs and festivals this summer, and shelves in the near future” Consumers will see the Captain Morgan Muck Pit Brew creative platform, ‘Muck Up the Usual’, come to life this summer via consumer activations and sampling at festivals across Great Britain, as well as through digital channels. Captain Morgan Muck Pit Brew is 4% ABV and is available in select venues across Great Britain via an exclusive partnership with LWC Drinks, the UK’s largest independent wholesaler. The 440ml cans and 330ml cans (multipack) will be available in the off-trade next year.
https://www.captainmorgan.com/
PLANTERAY RUM
Planteray has re-introduced Planteray Sealander Rum, a permanent addition to the portfolio whose journey from barrel to bottle encompasses three expansive oceans. This innovative rum allows you to travel the world in one sip, combining the finest elements of three exquisite rum producing countries: Barbados, Mauritius and the Fiji Islands. “For more than 25 years, our rum barrels have sailed between the great rum-producing origins and France, to bring the finest rums to your bars and tables. Sealander honors this history. I am so excited to share it with you,” says Alexandre Gabriel, owner and Master Blender of Planteray Rum. Harnessing the Fiji Islands’ mineral-rich volcanic soil, each barrel produced by the Rum Co. of Fiji is enhanced by the warm, tropical climate unique to the South Pacific. Column distilled rums aged for five years give chocolate notes and Fiji’s signature smokiness. The result is added intensity, with charred barrels introducing additional form, structure and fruitiness to the rum. Accentuated by the Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery’s aging process beside the crystalline shores of Barbados’ Brighton Beach facing the Caribbean Sea, this pot and column still rum, aged for up to eight years, brings vanilla and coconut notes, and an overall gourmet mouthfeel to the final blend with a touch of Barbadian high esters. Both selections are further enhanced by the addition of a third rum, direct from Mauritius’ Saint Aubin Distillery. Awash with grassy and herbal notes, the distillery’s column distilled unaged earthy cane juice rum adds freshness, completing this exquisite trifecta blend.
https://planterayrum.com/
OZAMA RUM
Hall-of-Fame baseball legend David Ortiz has announced the launch of Ozama Rum, an ultra-premium, 100% Dominican-made spirit that celebrates the island’s rich heritage while boldly reimagining its future. Like the iconic Ozama River for which the product is named, Ozama Rum is uniquely Dominican and proudly bears the denominación de origen (DO) statement “Ron Dominicano” which certifies that it is made from 100% Dominican sugarcane, fermented and distilled and aged for at least one year in oak barrels and bottled, all in the Dominican Republic. Developed by Ortiz and a team of Dominican artisans and spirits experts, Ozama offers a fresh take on rum. Inspired by the countless days David spent as a little boy on the Ozama River fishing, swimming and crabbing for jaiba, the packaging is bold, the taste is smooth, and its brand ethos is unapologetically joyful. “To me, Ozama isn’t just about rum, it’s about identity, pride, and progress. I wanted to build something that celebrates the energy and soul of my people and shows the world what we’re made of. It’s always been important for me to do things the right way, which is why this labor of love has been one of the most rewarding projects of my career. I can’t wait for people to try it! They say that perfection doesn’t exist, but you can get close to it,” said Ortiz. “From day one, David had a clear vision to create an ultra-premium rum that feels authentic, vibrant, and undeniably Dominican. It was important to him to spotlight the Dominican Republic and at the same time give back to the community that raised him,” said Abbott Wolfe, Founder & CEO of Drink2Success, which partnered with Ortiz to bring Ozama to life. “We’re proud to launch a brand that’s bold enough to disrupt the category, and grounded in real culture, real people, and real purpose.” The three initial offerings will be Ozama Blanco, Ozama Añejo and Ozama Gran Añejo. drinkozama.com.
CRUZAN
Cruzan has announced the oldest aged rum to date to be released from the Cruzan Distillery on St. Croix, representing its premium tier of sipping rums, Cruzan Island Reserve 13-Year-Old. The 13-Year-Old represents a new chapter of innovation from the Cruzan Distillery in St. Croix of the US Virgin Islands, an incredibly rich blend of three exceptional rums:
- 13 Year (48%): The youngest of the three rums embodies the quintessential Cruzan sweetness and pronounced aroma. Delicate and smooth on taste with a shorter finish, light and sweet on the nose, with subtle notes of caramel, honey, oak, and a hint of cherry, vanilla, caramel and citrus.
- 16 Year (22%): A slight reduction in sweetness, more pronounced wood notes, thicker mouthfeel and depth on mid-palate with a medium finish.
- 20 Year (30%): Diminished sweetness, woody and oaky on the palate, embodying “aged rum” – oily, heavy mouthfeel, butterscotch notes and a long smooth finish that you can chew on.
The final Island Reserve 13-Year-Old blend is a harmonious creation where the 13-year rum contributes prominent sweet notes at the front of the palate, the 16-year rum adds a complex body, and the 20-year rum provides a long, smooth finish that lingers on the palate.
https://www.cruzanrum.com/
MOUNT GAY
Mount Gay just introduced the eight edition of Master Blender Collection: The Cognac Cask Expression.
Unlike any other release in the Master Blender Collection, Mount Gay Master Blender Trudiann Branker chose to highlight the influence of tropically aging rum in casks that previously held Cognac. Sharing a long heritage of producing the finest spirits in the world, Trudiann looked to the house of Rémy Martin to source casks. Located in the heart of the Cognac region of France, Rémy Martin has been leading exceptional Cognac making for over 300 years. Aging their precious eaux-de-vie in the highest quality French oak casks made of large grain oak trees mainly found in the Limousin forests and highly famed for the excellence of their wood. For this limited liquid, Trudiann Branker decided to showcase the subtle fruitiness of the traditional column distilled rums. This complemented the delicate French oak casks which, due to their large and open grain, impart a rich vanilla flavor. Four years of full tropical aging in Barbados bring out notes of red stone fruits, cherry, vanilla and caramel. The result is a rich and opulent blend that unfolds with every sip. The Cognac Cask Expression is bottled at 58% ABV and is non-chill filtered in order to preserve its rich aromas and natural color. This expression will be limited to 6,276 bottles and will be available at select premium retailers throughout the world.
https://www.mountgayrum.com/
HAMPDEN ESTATE
Hampden Estate has introduced Hampden 1753, a new bottling named in honor of the distillery’s founding year. Celebrating nearly three centuries of traditional craftsmanship, Hampden 1753 is a vibrant tribute to the Jamaican distillery’s extraordinary historical heritage. Known for its ‘heavy’ pot still rums, Hampden Estate is considered one of the oldest sugar estates in Jamaica. 1753 Rum is made using spring water sourced from a nearby spring, undergoes a long fermentation process initiated by natural, indigenous yeasts, and is distilled in double-retort copper pot stills. Complex and boasting a classic high-ester profile, yet accessible and versatile thanks to its 46% ABV, Hampden 1753 is aged for 3 years in ex-bourbon barrels, and brilliantly displays the inimitable aromatic palette of the legendary Jamaican distillery.
https://hampdenestaterum.com/
HOLMES CAY
Eric Kaye has announced his first round of releases for 2025:
- Trinidad 2012 – 12 Year. This rum comes from two casks from the now defunct 10 Cane distillery in Trinidad. These rare and special barrels give a beloved young rum a second life as an aged rum. During 10 Cane’s existence, there were several different formulations. The original, artisanal version of 10 Cane was chosen for this edition. In it, fresh cane juice underwent a five-day, low temperature fermentation with specialized yeast strains. It was then double-distilled in small batches in French pot stills and aged in French oak ex-cognac barrels for one year. When production in Trinidad ceased, the original cane juice, pot still distillate was left aging in ex-cognac barrels in the tropics for 4 years, with a further 5 years maturation in the UK in ex-rum casks. The rum then spent another 3 years in ex-rum barrels in New York state, transforming the light-bodied mixing rum flavors into a mature and layered taste profile. It was bottled at barrel proof, or 59% ABV.
- Fiji 2009 – 13 Year. This rum comes from South Pacific Distilleries of Fiji. This molasses pot still rum was distilled in Fiji in 2009 and spent 13 years in the UK in ex-rum casks before being bottled at a high proof of 58% in New York state.
- Guyana Versailles 2018. This rum is a heritage mark, produced on the Versailles single wooden pot still. The mark was originally from the early 19th century estate at Plantation Versailles on Guyana’s Demerara River. The Versailles still eventually came to Diamond Distillery, the only remaining distillery in Guyana, where this edition was produced. This heritage still’s vat is made from Guyanese greenheart wood, an extremely dense native wood. The Versailles still is one of the oldest operating wooden stills in existence. The Guyana Versailles 2018 is a 100% molasses pot still rum aged in ex-bourbon casks in the UK for four years and one year in New York state. It was bottled at 55% alcohol by volume.
- Réunion Island Rum Traditionnel – Single Origin Edition #4. This is a molasses-based rum from Distillerie de Savanna, tropically aged in ex-cognac casks for three years and bottled in New York at 46% ABV.
https://www.holmescay.com/
APPLETON ESTATE RUM MUSEUM
The Jamaica Observer reported that J. Wray and Nephew Limited brought a taste of the renowned Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience Tour to New Kingston, with the grand opening of the Appleton Estate Rum Museum, an immersive, curated space that captures the essence of Jamaica’s most celebrated rum. In a move to usher in ‘edutainment’ and a new set of enthusiasts, Appleton Estate Master Blender Joy Spence and her deputy master blender colleague, David Morrison, oversaw the development of the new rum museum.The museum promises a unique experience, where education meets entertainment, offering an unforgettable journey through the brand’s rich legacy. Inspired by the renowned Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum Festival, the museum is a powerful celebration of Jamaican excellence in rum-making. Designed to engage both seasoned rum connoisseurs and curious newcomers, it showcases centuries of tradition, expert craftsmanship and cultural storytelling. “This is a pop-up immersive space where persons can come in and learn about the brand credentials, the history and the rum creation process of Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum,” Dominic Bell, J Wray and Nephew Limited’s communications manager told Observer Online shortly after the festivities came to an end. “We have been crafting this brand from 1794 and exporting it to the world since then. It’s one of the top-selling spirits globally and we’ve always said, how do we further communicate and involve the public in that of our own Jamaican experience, and that is what we are doing here now.” Deputy Master Blender David Morrison added “It’s more than a campaign, it’s a cultural invitation to immerse yourself in our rich history, craftsmanship, and the essence of Jamaica itself”.
https://appletonestate.com/en-us/
