Rum in the News
WEST INDIES RUM DISTILLERY
West Indies Rum Distillery (WIRD) has commissioned The Harper Sugar Cane Mill for the West Indies Central Sugar Cane Breeding Station in Barbados. Named after Iran Harper, who was first to establish the ‘fertility’ of sugar cane 164 years ago, the mill was officially opened by Indar Weir, Minister of Agriculture and Nutrition and Food Security in Barbados, on April 22nd to coincide with Earth Day. The Harper Sugar Cane Mill will provide both the West Indies Central Sugar Cane Breeding Station (WICSCBS) and the West Indies Rum Distillery (WIRD) a research facility, enhancing both partners’ knowledge of various sugar cane varieties. WISCBS, which is one of the two oldest sugar cane institutions in the world, will use the mill for custom breeding research purposes and WIRD will be using the sugar cane juice for rum research and development. Andrew Hassell, Managing Director of WIRD (owner of Plantation and Stade’s Rum) explains, “In 2020, The West Indies Sugar Cane Breeding Station’s team was in a great need for a sugar cane mill for research purposes and we needed sugar cane juice for rum development, as researching the heritage of rum is part of our DNA at West Indies Rum Distillery.” He added, “After a lot of hard work together, we are proud to be joined by Indar Weir, Minister of Agriculture and Nutrition and Food Security in Barbados to officially commission The Harper’s Sugar Cane Mill.” On the new mill, owner of WIRD and Master Blender for Maison Ferrand, Alexandre Gabriel added, “Our objective is to maintain Barbados’ reputation as the home of the world’s best rum. We are proud to be partnering with the excellent teams from these organizations, who bring vital sugar cane research so that together we can learn more.” The West Indies Rum Distillery was founded by George Stade in 1893. He had great ambitions for Barbados rum, with the dream to create a distillery capable of producing the best rum in the world. Today, the distillery’s team of experts draws on a 125-year heritage and an unparalleled collection of old stills. As the leading producer of Barbados rums, WIRD produces spirits of incredible diversity in historic pot and column stills. It takes truly expert distillers to make these complex instruments sing. Among the many talented people at WIRD are Henderson “Digger” Skinner, who has been with the distillery for over 40 years, and Don Benn, who was voted Rum Master Distiller of the Year in 2020 at the prestigious Spirits Business Awards. https://maisonferrand.com/
COPALLI RUM
When it comes to support for the environment, Copalli Rum has been clear. Sustainability is part of everything they do. For that reason, they are thrilled to announce that they have joined the Corporate Conservation Circle of the Rainforest Trust. Since 1988, this global organization has been safeguarding imperiled tropical habitats and saving endangered species by establishing protected areas in partnership with local organizations and communities. With its partners, Rainforest Trust has safeguarded more than 37 million acres of vital habitat across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. https://copallirum.com/
TANDUAY
Especia Rum, the latest product from the Philippines’ Tanduay Distillers, Inc., has won a Double Gold at the San Diego Spirits Festival. The rum was only recently introduced and was made available in the United States early this year. “We feel truly honored that our spiced rum has already won an award as it enters the US market. We thank the San Diego Spirits Festival for this recognition. This only shows the kind of craftsmanship that goes in our Tropical Spiced Rum,” said Kyle Tan, Executive Vice President of Tanduay and head of its international distribution. A blend of rums aged up to seven years in bourbon barrels, Especia Spiced Rum tastes of cinnamon, honey, and ginger, mingled with hints of tropical fruits. Its finish is a warm persistence of caramel, cinnamon, and baking spices, and has sweet and elegant aromas. It is bottled at 40% ABV. It has a bright, golden amber color, and a mellow and smooth body. Especia comes in a bottle with black and white textured background design, featuring an illustration of the snake coiled around a bamboo stalk with flowers and leaves inherent to the tropical island of its origin. A stylized letter “T” representing Tanduay and “1854” which represents the year the rum company was founded are also prominently displayed on the bottle. https://ph.tanduay.com/
HOLMES CAY
Holmes Cay announced that their Holmes Cay Barbados 2012 Port Cask took home a gold at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Founded in 2000, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is one of the oldest and largest competitions of its kind. The Barbados 2012 Port Cask, aged for 8 years in Barbados in ex-Bourbon, with an additional 1 year in Port casks in New York is now available throughout the US. Holmes Cay also announced the arrival of the Holmes Cay Trinidad 2012 Ten Year which came from two casks made at the now defunct 10 Cane distillery in Trinidad. The original lightly aged, cane juice mixer has become a mature and complex rum to sip and enjoy. An early example of artisanal rum production from a large spirits company, these special barrels have a second life now as an aged rum that will never be recreated again. This fresh cane juice, 100% pot still rum was distilled in 2012 in Trinidad and tropically aged in ex-Cognac casks for 4 years with 6 additional years in ex-bourbon casks in the UK before being bottled in New York this year. When he first tasted the rum, Eric Kaye was struck both by the unique story and the unique flavor profile of this “lost” rum given a second life. “It was perfect right from the cask, which is how we are releasing it, at full barrel proof of 59%” said Kaye. Only 360 bottles of the Trinidad 2012 Ten Year will be released, and they’re guaranteed to disappear quickly. https://www.holmescay.com/
HAPPY RAPTOR DISTILLING
The folks at Happy Raptor have announced the official online release of 504Syrups, their new handcrafted collection of premium infused simple syrups. They have long wanted to offer some of their unique flavor combinations to Happy Raptor fans across the country as their most-asked question is “Do you ship?” While Louisiana law remains extremely strict regarding the shipment of spirits to consumers, 504Syrups (an alcohol-free product) is available now to ship nationwide. Inspired by the flavor in their signature 504Hibiscus Rum, 504Syrups Hibiscus is simmered with real ingredients, dehydrated hibiscus petals, hand-cut citrus and whole spices. Reminiscent of a classic NOLA snack and inspired by their seasonal 504King Cake Rum, 504Syrups Praline gets its warm finish from Louisiana-grown pecans, fresh citrus peel and whole spices. 504Syrups are recommended for jazzing up all manner of treats, sweetening a hot beverage, pouring over a snow-ball, cooking, baking, mocktail creation, and, of course, cocktail mixing! The hibiscus syrup makes a perfect complement to lemonade for a zero-proof version of Happy Raptor’s most popular cocktail (504Hibiscus Lemonade), where praline syrup is perfect for pouring over ice cream or in your morning coffee. https://www.happyraptor.com/
KOLOA RUM
Koloa Rum Company announced the 31st state in its U.S. distribution channel, as the brand’s premium Hawaiian rums debut in Kansas in partnership with local distributor, Standard Beverage Corporation. “Kansas now marks the 31st state to carry Koloa Rum products, and we’re gratified to bring the taste of aloha and our premium Hawaiian rum to The Sunflower State,” said Bob Gunter, President & CEO of Koloa Rum Company. “Our team is proud of our continued growth and expansion amid unpredictable times, and our valued partnership with Standard Beverage Corporation supports our goal to make our products more widely available.” Standard Beverage Corporation carries a range of Koloa Rum products including its premium Koloa Kauai White, Coconut, Coffee and Cacao, in addition to its three ready-to-drink cocktails, Hawaiian Rum Punch, Pineapple Passion Rum Cocktail and Mai Tai. Products can already be found at many fine spirits accounts around Kansas. “Koloa Rum’s product line is very impressive, and we look forward to bringing the spirit of aloha to our consumers,” said Stephen Coates, Vice President of Wine and Craft Spirits. “As the leading large Kansas-owned distributor of fine wines, spirits and beer, we are committed to developing quality partnerships with our suppliers and customers alike.” Koloa Rum Company was founded to create superior Hawaiian rum and ready-to-drink cocktails using locally sourced ingredients. In doing so, Koloa Rum provides quality employment opportunities for the community of Kauai and meaningful support to the local agricultural industry by increasing cultivated acreage and preserving open space. Established in 2009, Koloa Rum Company produces artisanal, single-batch Hawaiian rum and ready-to-drink cocktails at its distillery in Kalaheo, Kauai and operates Hawaii’s first distilled spirits Tasting Room and Company Store. www.koloarum.com.
DESTILLERIA SERRALLES
Destilería Serrallés Inc., the producer of Puerto Rico’s number-one rum Don Q, is proud to announce that Liza Cordero has been promoted to Master Blender of Don Q Rum. Cordero will work directly with Silvia Santiago, the first female Master Blender in Puerto Rico, who has been with Destilería Serrallés for more than 45 years and holds the title of Sr. VP of Manufacturing and Maestra Ronera. Cordero combines her passion, values, and craftsmanship to help guide the family-owned distillery, which dates back 157 years with six generations of rum makers. Don Q rums range in notes from the rare, limited edition, ultra-premium rums like La Reserva de la Familia, to the warm and smoky oak finish of the Gran Reserva XO to the smooth, clean taste of the award-winning Don Q Cristal. “I’m pleased to see Liza take on this new role aptly coinciding with Women’s History Month, when we celebrate the accomplishments of women past and present,” says Santiago. “The face of the spirits industry has evolved since I started working at the Distillery and I am honored to work with Liza and thrilled to see another female take the reins.” In her new post, Cordero will be responsible for developing new products and expressions, fostering continued innovation and creativity, ensuring consistency in quality and flavor profile throughout the Don Q Rum portfolio. She will be working with the manufacturing team to provide support during each of the stages of rum manufacturing as well as throughout the aging process and more. Cordero’s dedication to the fermentation and distillation processes spans nearly two decades at Destilería Serrallés.” I am so proud to work for a company and produce a rum that is invested in our Island, the environment and our future,” remarked Cordero. “I am most excited to work with our talented team at Destilería Serrallés and continue innovating and finding new blends to share with all rum enthusiasts, from the novices to the connoisseurs.” Cordero’s drive and thirst for knowledge began at an early age when she embarked on a career in chemical engineering, and it was when she applied her penchant for science to the spirts industry that Cordero found her true calling in working with rum at Destilería Serrallés. Born in San Juan, Cordero’s connection with Puerto Rico’s beloved beverage runs deep, and she is most proud about the memories she’s helping forge between friends and family when they share a glass of Don Q. “Women are redefining the category with their innovative vision for managing, blending, and creating products that will continue to capture the hearts and minds of rum enthusiasts,” remarked Destilería Serrallés President and CEO, Philippe Brechot. “I’m proud that Don Q Rum has been a forward-thinking company, ahead of the times and that we’ve had well-deserving women, such as Silvia and Liza, at the helm of our production team for decades.” https://donq.com/
FLOR de CAÑA
To celebrate Earth Month, Flor de Caña, a Carbon Neutral and Fair Trade Certified ultra-premium rum, is joining forces with retailers, bars, restaurants and consumers around the world to launch a year-long, global reforestation campaign that aims to ensure a greener future for generations to come. The sustainably crafted rum brand has already planted over 800,000 trees since 2005 and is well on its way to fulfill its pledge of planting one million trees by 2025. The campaign titled “Together for a Greener Future”, supported by environmental charity One Tree Planted, includes a series of activations in points of sale and initiatives on social media (#TogetherForAGreenerFuture) to raise awareness of the importance of reforestation, as well as tree planting events in various countries throughout the year. Individuals will also be able to support reforestation efforts by donating through Flor de Caña’s fundraising page with One Tree Planted, which guarantees that for every dollar donated, one tree will be planted. In turn, Flor de Caña will match all individual donations received during the campaign. “One Tree Planted is proud to continue our partnership with Flor de Caña, who has supported reforestation projects through unique fundraising campaigns over the years.” says Matt Hill, Founder & Chief Environmental Evangelist at One Tree Planted. He added “As the trees grow, they’ll restore soil stability and health, improve water filtration and absorption, mitigate the effects of climate change, improve biodiversity and provide a host of benefits to the local communities.” “As a global leader of sustainability practices within the spirits industry, we are deeply committed to the protection and preservation of the environment,” said Mauricio Solórzano, Global Ambassador for Flor de Caña. “Through our partnership with One Tree Planted we’re taking our commitment to the environment to the next level and working together to inspire people around the world to get involved in our effort to restore forests and ensure a greener future for generations to come.” “Trees are essential for biodiversity and a healthy climate, so it’s great to work with a brand so committed to making a positive impact for reforestation and sustainability overall,” said Diana Chaplin, Canopy Director at One Tree Planted. https://flordecana.com/
RHUM JM
On the heels of Earth Day, SPIRIBAM officially launched the most significant and ongoing project of one of their iconic brands to date, Rhum J.M: The EDDEN Project (Engagés pour le Développement Durable de nos Écosystèmes et de notre Nature). This will mark the rum distillery’s monumental progress as a global spirits producer and leader in the sustainability movement. Over the past decade, J.M has made a series of methodical developments to its sugarcane rhum distillery, improving production quality in a measurable and effective effort to diminish its impact on the natural environment by utilizing key practices to hone their craft within a full circular economy. Nestled at the foot of Mount Pelée, the largest distillery of the area has been a longtime advocate of the sustainability movement in Martinique, working to address the challenges to cultivate within the area’s terroir-driven tropical climate in the most environmentally and socially responsible manner possible. The dedication to these core principles resulted in the following key steps: thorough review of their environmental impact on the island of Martinique; investments towards strict ethical green practices and eco-responsibility; preservation of the region’s biodiversity; study sugarcane harvesting and volcanic soil cultivation; develop unique waste water treatment techniques; reduce emissions by more than 90%; improve shipping and supply chain efficiency; perform thorough audits of business practices of its closest suppliers, and invest in its team through technical training and career advancement initiatives. 100% of the management team drives electric vehicles. “We produce rum which demands excellence, yet our idea of excellence vastly surpasses that of taste alone. The lovers of our rhum can be certain that behind each bottle there are passionate women and men committed to excellence, crafting our spirits within this circular economy: EDDEN. It is for our fans that we wish to share what we are learning, our dedication to the planet, and the value we hold for our environment and social responsibility.” said Emmanuel Becheau, Managing Director, Rhum J.M. “When you discover Rhum J.M, you cannot help but be moved. We knew it was our responsibility to protect it. How? Continuous innovation, tireless motivation, and limitless passion, because only this will enable us to protect our traditions while also paving the path towards our future. This is both the secret and battle of our centuries-old distillery. In this rich land, swept by trade winds and tropical rains, we grow some of the best sugarcane in the world. We prioritize soil health using crop rotation and fallow. We operate our distillery according to the principles of this circular economy so that the waste products from sugarcane fuel our eco-efficient furnace. Some of our surplus bagasse is delivered to the local biomass plant to produce electricity for the island. With EDDEN, we’re sharing these advancements because this is the way. Exceptional because it is authentic. Exceptional because we care. Rhum J.M is at the crossroads of modernity and tradition, and there is much more on the horizon” said Grégoire Guéden, CEO, Spiribam. https://www.rhumjm.com/ https://www.spiribam.com/
ANGOSTURA
Angostura® is proud to announce that the brand will be extending its sponsorship of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tournament. For the 2022-2024 seasons, Angostura® Chill will continue to refresh fans at refreshment zones at all T20 matches and all drinks breaks will be named “Chill” breaks in honor of Angostura® Chill. Angostura® Chill is the only soft drink in the world made with the legendary ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters. The sponsorship of CPL, which attracted over half a billion viewers in 2021, was instrumental in driving visibility and awareness of the rebrand from Angostura® Lemon Lime and Bitters to Angostura® Chill and provided a global platform with the vast international viewership which spans cricket fans from the US to the UK, Australia to India. The sparkling non-alcoholic refreshment shares the home isles of the Trinbago Knight Riders. Kathryna Baptiste Assee, Group General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Angostura Ltd said: “Angostura® Chill is a brand from the Caribbean that celebrates the best flavors, energy, and attitude of the Caribbean. The deep passion for cricket and a good lime unites all of the Caribbean islands. The CPL T20, is a vibrant, colorful, inclusive expression of our collective Caribbean heritage and therefore is a natural fit for our Caribbean brand - Angostura® Chill, which is enjoyed across the region. As we extend the Angostura® Chill range beyond the classic zesty Lemon, Lime & bitters, tangy Blood Orange & bitters, and vibrant Sorrel & bitters into another exciting flavor, we are also expanding the international footprint of the brand. This CPL partnership puts Angostura® Chill on the world stage and will make the brand synonymous with the upbeat, collective energy of Caribbean T20 cricket.” http://www.angostura.com/
