Rum in the News
HURRICANE MELISSA HITS JAMAICA
As you probably know, Hurricane Melissa crossed the island of Jamaica last month as a Class 5 monster, the biggest storm they have ever seen. As I type this, pictures and videos online show heartbreaking destruction; 70% of the island does not have power and cell phone coverage is limited. The eye of the storm crossed western Jamaica where most of our beloved rum distilleries are located. Several distilleries have reported minor damage, but I have not seen anything yet on Long Pond and Clarendon. No word from Appleton Estate, which is in St. Elizabeth Parish, one of the hardest hit areas. Worthy Park posted they had no structural damage and their staff were safe. By the time this magazine is published, I am sure we will know much more. We do know that Jamaica has been dealt a devastating blow. If you are able, please consider contributing to the relief and recovery efforts. To make sure monies go where they are most needed, the folks at Worthy Park have suggested the following organizations:
The American Friends of Jamaica- http://www.theafj.org/
Food For the Poor – Jamaica https://foodforthepoorja.org/index.php
Jamaica Government Support- https://www.supportjamaica.gov.jm/
Global Empowerment Mission- https://www.globalempowermentmission.org/
I would also add World Central Kitchen. As in previous hurricanes, Chef José Andrés is working with local restaurants, chefs and cooks to serve thousands of meals every day to the homeless and hungry.
World Central Kitchen https://wck.org/en-us/relief/melissa-25
PONCHE KUBA
Last month, Ponche Kuba, the iconic Caribbean rum cream liqueur established in 1942 by Don Jaime A. J. Sprock, unveiled refreshed packaging in select markets. While the look evolves, the beloved original recipe remains unchanged, continuing a legacy of more than 70 years of craftsmanship. The new design reflects Ponche Kuba’s commitment to staying relevant to consumers while reducing environmental impact. Both the bottle and label have been reimagined with a modern lens. The updated 700ml bottle retains its elegant silhouette while achieving an 80g weight reduction (from 630g to 550g), resulting in a significant 24.4% decrease in CO2 emissions per case (from 13.6kg to 10.3kg CO2 eq/cstd). The new label blends native Caribbean botanical elements with the brand’s bold signature red, refreshed with contemporary design cues. The result is a vibrant, festive aesthetic that captures the proud, passionate melting-pot culture of the Caribbean. “Ponche Kuba’s refreshed packaging is a natural evolution for the brand, one that celebrates our Caribbean roots, enhances our premium credentials, and advances our commitment to sustainability, all while preserving the recipe our consumers know and love,” said Antoine Couvreur, Mount Gay Distilleries Managing Director.The cherished Ponche Kuba liquid remains unchanged: a creamy, thick rum liqueur with rich, sweet notes, a lightly spiced aroma, and a perfectly balanced taste rooted in traditional family-style ponches. Crafted with savoir-faire at Mount Gay Distilleries in Barbados and bottled at 9% ABV, it is versatile enough to be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or as the base for indulgent cocktails. Ponche Kuba 700ml will roll out in the United States this November and in other key markets starting this month: the Caribbean (October 2025), the Netherlands (February 2026), and the Dominican Republic (September 2026). https://www.mountgayrum.com/.
BRUGAL
For five generations, the Brugal family has been devoted to crafting fine rum and now Brugal is entering a new creative chapter with a new brand campaign. At the heart of this campaign is a simple yet powerful message: “Passion is what sets us apart, and passion is what brings us together.” Through striking visuals that reflect a deep commitment to rum mastery, this campaign celebrates the passion that has guided Brugal’s hands and hearts since 1888, setting Brugal apart, one bottle at a time. “In every cask, there is a story, and we hope to share ours, our passion for rum, with the world,” said Jassil Villanueva Quintana, Brugal’s Fifth-Generation Rum Master and second-great granddaughter of Brugal’s founder Andres Brugal. “I’m inspired by my family of Rum Masters who came before me, and together our passion for our craft ensures that every blend is a careful composition of the finest hand-picked casks and aged rums, balanced to perfection. Our rum is more than just a spirit, it’s a bond shared between family, Maestros and community. Every bottle is a story of unity, dedication and care that’s meant to be enjoyed together.” The campaign launched last month in the U.S. with a bold, multi-channel strategy designed to maximize visibility and drive deep consumer engagement. “Brugal is so much more than rum. It is a family business, it is a commitment to legacy, and rum mastery, adds Gregory Cozzolino, Marketing Director of Breakthrough Brands at Edrington. “This campaign allows us to share with the world what sets Brugal apart.”
https://www.brugal-rum.com/en-us
MOUNT GAY
Mount Gay, the World’s oldest running rum distillery with a legacy spanning over 320 years, announced the release of the third and fourth editions of its exceptional Single Estate Series, 25_03_Vt24CF and 25_04_Vt19dp. Crafted by Master Blender Trudiann Branker, this unique dual launch continues and expands the terroir driven series, presenting two distinct yet complementary expressions born from Mount Gay Estate sugarcane harvests in St Lucy, Barbados. This time, she decided to capture the 2024 harvest with edition 25_03_Vt24CF, and the 2019 harvest with edition 25_04_Vt19dp. “These two new additions to our Single Estate Series are a masterclass in contrast and complementarity. 25_03 is the first unaged rum of the Series, while 25_04 is matured for five years in American oak ex-bourbon barrels. Moreover, 25_03 is a 100% Coffey Still distilled rum, while 25_04 is a 100% double pot distilled rum. This year, 2025, presents the fascinating opportunity to experience their two different perspectives of Mount Gay’s heritage and terroir side-by-side.”Trudiann Branker, Mount Gay Master Blender.
Mount Gay Single Estate Series 25_03 was created using 100% molasses created from sugarcanes grown at the Mount Gay Estate in St Lucy, Barbados. Speaking at a launch event for the new expressions, Branker explained that 25_03 is the first in the Single Estate series where she was able to convert the sugarcane to molasses in-house before proceeding with fermentation. “This would be our first release where we’ve monitored what goes into the sugarcane. It really cemented the craftsmanship that exists at Mount Gay in-house, and the fingerprint of every single person in the distillery is in every bottle of Single Estate” she said. Using proprietary yeast cultivated from the Mount Gay Estate, the molasses was fermented for 9 days, which led to a secondary fermentation. It was the distilled in the rare 100% copper Coffey Still, one out of two remaining functioning Coffey Stills in the entire world. Recommissioned at the Mount Gay distillery only in 2019, the Coffey Still and its 19th century origin bridge the gap between history and modernity. The rum is transparent and bottled at 48% ABV.
Mount Gay Single Estate Series 25_04 was created using 100% molasses created in 2019 from sugar canes grown at the Mount Gay Estate in St Lucy, Barbados and processed at a local sugarcane factory on the island to make a specialized molasses for Mount Gay. The molasses had a very high sugar content (72%). Like the 25_03, it was fermented using their proprietary yeast for 9 days and then in a secondary fermentation.
Mount Gay Single Estate Series 25_04_Vt19dp is a blend of two distinct pot still distillations combined into one singular expression, making it a 100% double pot distilled rum. The blend matured for five years in American oak (Quercus Alba) ex-bourbon barrels, allowing the flavor of the rum and its unique terroir to shine. It is bottled at 55% ABV. For a more complete description of these two rums and how they were made, check out their very informative website: https://www.mountgayrum.com/
ANGOSTURA
Last month, Angostura announced that effective October 17, there would be price adjustments to their locally manufactured rums. This follows the Government’s recently announced increase in excise duty on rum and spirits, which took immediate effect as part of the 2025/2026 National Budget. As a responsible corporate citizen with more than 200 years of heritage in Trinidad and Tobago, Angostura® fully supports the Government’s efforts to strengthen fiscal sustainability and national development. They went on to state that over the past several years, Angostura® has absorbed increases in input costs through improved productivity, energy efficiency and innovation to minimize any impact on their consumers. However, this recent increase in excise duty now requires price adjustments to ensure business continuity and the continued employment of their workforce of over 537 citizens. Angostura® remains deeply committed to maintaining the world-class quality of their rums and bitters, supporting their local economy and supply chain, and promoting Trinidad and Tobago’s brands in over 170 international markets. In other news, Angostura announced the appointment of Ian Forbes as the acting CEO of Angostura Holdings Limited. Ian was appointed to act as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Angostura Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries with immediate effect from October 01, 2025, for a period of six (6) months, in addition to his substantive duties as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Prior to this occasion, he was appointed to act as CEO in September 2020, a position he held until January 2023. Additionally, he was first appointed to act as CEO from April to December 2019. Ian holds an MSC Food, Science & Technology from the University of the West Indies and BSC Chemistry and Bio-Chemistry. He attained his MBA certification (with Distinction) at the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business, where he also earned the Best Student Award 2007. He is also a certified Distiller having earned his diploma in 2025 from the Chartered Institute of Brewing and Distilling (CIBD) where he is also a professional member. This serves as a testament to his expertise, dedication, and professional excellence in spirits manufacturing, thereby rounding off an exclusive career in the alcoholic drinks industry.
https://angostura.com/
RUM CONSORTIUM 2025
In celebration of Queensland Rum Day last month, the Beenleigh Distillery once again joined forces with some of the state’s most iconic distilleries, Bundaberg, Nil Despersndum, Kalki Moon and Burdekin Rum, to craft the Rum Consortium’s exclusive 2025 release. This remarkable blend unites the finest aged rums from all five distilleries, ranging from 2 to 12 years old, capturing the bold character and craft of Queensland rum in every drop. It is a true expression of collaboration, craftsmanship and the spirit of the Sunshine State of Australia.
Since 1906 “Queensland Rum” is defined by Australian law as a spirit of at least 37% ABV obtained by the distillation in Queensland and maturation in Queensland by storage in wood for at least 2 years of a fermented liquor derived from the products of sugarcane, being distillation carried out in such a manner that the spirit possesses the taste, aroma and other characteristics generally attributed to rum. Queensland Rum is most commonly made from molasses but can also be made from sugarcane juice, sugarcane syrup and sugar.
https://www.beenleighrum.com.au/
https://www.bundabergrum.com.au/
https://burdekinrum.com.au/
https://nildesperandum.com.au/
https://kalkimoon.com/product-category/spirits/rum/
RHUM SAINT JAMES
This year is the 260th anniversary of the founding on Saint Sames. Since 1765, Saint James has been making rhum agricole using pure sugarcane juice from its own plantations. Perpetuating traditional methods of distillation and aging, Saint James is certified A.O.C Martinique and is a leader in the rhum agricole category. The year has been filled with celebrations and competitions. The highlight of the anniversary will be the release of Cuvee 260. Spirits Business reports that it will be crafted from six distinct vintages, with each vintage selected with precision, and all drawn from single casks and carefully aged barrels. The combination of vintages from 1997, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2006 and 2009 has subsequently created a blend that showcases both the unique identity of each harvest and the unmistakable style of Saint James rhum. The 1997 vintage, aged over the course of 18 years in American oak barrels, brings candied citrus, rancio and cigar box notes, while the 1998, a 16-year-old with notes of rich spices, fruit and silky oak tannins, adds remarkable balance. The dry harvest of 2001 highlights dried fruit and strong toasted oak, while 2004’s low yield brings intensity with roasted, nutty, and forest floor aromas. Aged for 18 years in French oak, 2006’s vintage adds length, marmalade sweetness and chocolaty smoothness, while 2009’s vintage, the youngest at 15 years, contributes lively, woody notes with soft roasting. Last month Saint James also released Cuvée Transat 10 years, celebrating the 17th year of TRANSAT CAFÉ, the famous transatlantic crossing between Normandy and Martinique. Produced in a limited edition (1260 bottles for mainland France), this cuvée pays tribute to the passion and courage of those who cross the Atlantic, while celebrating the centuries-old know-how of the Martinique distillery.
https://rhum-saintjames.com/
PUSSER’S RUM
Pusser’s Rum announced the launch of Night Watch, a new limited-edition expression released to commemorate Trafalgar Day on 21st October 2025. Night Watch marks a bold new direction for Pusser’s. It is crafted with Louisiana Blackstrap Molasses, prized as the finest in the world. The blend combines aged distillate from vintage wooden pot stills in Guyana with the deep, rich character of blackstrap rum, a style once synonymous with resilience and strength in the Royal Navy. With its bold flavor, evocative depth and heritage-driven authenticity, Night Watch pays tribute to the steadfast sailors keeping vigil through the midnight watch, echoing the spirit of those who first received the daily rum ration aboard His Majesty’s ships. Made from a blend of wooden pot and column still distilled rums, aged for up to a year, the Night Watch rum has molasses, caramel, island spices and Demerara on the nose and a rich, sweet, spicy and multi layered palate This limited-edition release will be available to the UK on-trade and retail from 13th October 2025 from Paragon Brands.
https://pussersrum.com/
LA MAISON and VELLIER
Habitation Velier is a co-bottling project featuring exclusive bottlings created through partnership with some of the best rum producers in the world. The range is focused on 100% pot still rums which are entirely aged in (often tropical) conditions of the distillery. This range serves as a didactic research project into the depths of pot still distillation to create awareness of stylistic differences between types of pot stills, distillery styles, regionality and specific production methods of the liquid. Habitation Velier is bottled at full or high strength with no sugar, coloring or additives. The latest releases are:
HABITATION VELIER RENEGADE OLD BACOLET. This is the first time Habitation Velier has bottled a white rum from the Renegade distillery in Grenada, which closed in 2024. Situated on a flood plain between two small rivers, the area benefits from sedimentary soil and a high-water table, producing lush cane. This version is made from the Cain sugarcane variety grown in Old Bacolet, a farm located on the south coast of Grenada, making it one of the most windswept farms in the country. Bottled at 55% in 750 ml, this bottling shows a congener content of 328.1 g/hLAP.
HABITATION VELIER SAVANNA HERR. HERR is an acronym coined by Savanna itself, meaning “High Ester Rum Reunion,” which denotes its defining characteristic: an exceptionally high concentration of esters, which contribute to intense fruity and funky aromas. As a grande arôme, HERR is produced from molasses and is double distilled in a pot still, a method that captures intense aromatic compounds. The production involves a uniquely long fermentation process (typically 5-11 days) and utilizes specific bacterial cultures, added to the molasses wash (often with vinasse), to cultivate the high ester profile. Sought after by rum enthusiasts and collectors for its distinctive character, Habitation Velier Savanna HERR is bottled in 700 ml unaged at a high proof of 62% abv with a congener count of 499.9 g/hlpa.
HABITATION VELIER MHOBA LONG FERMENTATION. Habitation Velier’s inaugural unaged Mhoba release is made from pure N49 + N57 cane juice, both local varieties that grow in the Mpumalanga River Valley in the northeastern South Africa. The cane juice comes from freshly cut cane that has been grown organically and manually crushed in a handmade press. This blend showcases a dual fermentation process: the primary component undergoes a long 28-day wild fermentation using pressed cane juice and dunder from previous distillations. Additionally, a smaller portion of the blend is produced through a 14-day wild fermentation process with a higher organic content which creates a distinctive profile. After distillation in custom-made stills crafted by the master distiller himself, the new make is collected in separate cuts and only the finest cuts are then blended. Bottled at 66.2% in 700 ml, this bottling has a congener content of 3019.7 g/hlap.
https://www.lmvusa.com/
