Rum in the News
FLOR DE CAŇA
To celebrate 135 years of family legacy, Flor de Caña has introduced a refined new design across its premium rum portfolio. A bold evolution that honors its volcanic origin, five-generation heritage dating back to 1890, and long-standing commitment to sustainability and quality. More than a visual update, the new identity marks an exciting milestone for the brand. The redesigned packaging elevates Flor de Caña’s premium presence around the world while bringing its story, craftsmanship, and purpose closer to consumers, allowing them to enjoy a world-class spirit that reflects both authentic heritage and responsible practices. The bottles have been redesigned to be 18% lighter, helping reduce environmental impact and transport-related emissions. The packaging is also fully recyclable and produced using vegetable-based inks with less paper waste during manufacturing, thoughtful improvements that allow consumers to enjoy their favorite rum with a lighter footprint. At the same time, the new look enhances the brand’s storytelling and premium character, highlighting elements such as Flor de Caña’s Carbon Neutral certification, its distillation with 100% renewable energy, and its internationally recognized quality awards. Refined finishes celebrate the brand’s craftsmanship and ultra-premium positioning, with details such as the wooden stopper, a nod to aging in American white oak barrels, and the signature green belt symbolizing Flor de Caña’s historic commitment to sustainability. While the visual identity evolves, the rum itself remains unchanged. Each expression continues to be naturally and sustainably aged at the base of an active volcano, without sugar or artificial ingredients, delivering the same authentic taste and quality that has defined Flor de Caña for generations. The new portfolio design began rolling out in the U.S. market in January 2026 and is now available in major retail stores and on the Flor de Caña website: www.flordecana.com
COCA COLA and BACARDI
BACARDÍ & Coca Cola have teamed up once again in the UK to unveil a twist on the classic pairing, a BACARDÍ Spiced & Coca Cola combo, the perfect go-to-sip for the Spring and Summer seasons.
BACARDÍ Spiced & Coca Cola arrives just as these moments gear up, ready to turn up the energy. Timed perfectly, the launch reflects a growing appetite for ready-made cocktails, which deliver premium, bar-quality experiences at effortless convenience. The iconic duo with BACARDÍ Spiced rum, hints of vanilla and warm spices, expertly mixed with refreshing Coca Cola, delivers an adventurous new flavor profile. It’s the classic combination consumers have loved for over 125 years, since the very first Cuba Libre was mixed in Havana. Now, this exciting iteration is designed to add a little extra fizz to any occasion. Spiced is a new addition to the already much-loved BACARDÍ & Coca Cola ready-to-drink offering, which was awarded Product of the Year 2026 earlier this year. Ioanna Topali, Marketing Director Alcohol Ready to Drink at Coca Cola, “We are incredibly excited to introduce BACARDÍ Spiced & Coca Cola, a truly dynamic addition that speaks to the evolving tastes of today’s consumers. Our collaboration with BACARDÍ ensures we consistently deliver premium quality and ultimate convenience, fostering refreshing moments of connection. The ultimate hassle-free, premium cocktail experience, BACARDÍ & Coke truly elevates any gathering.” European Regional Brand Director, Bacardi Rum, Tjalling Simoons added “We’re seeing strong momentum in ready to drink cocktails as consumers look for premium experiences without compromise. BACARDÍ Spiced & Coke builds on the strength of an iconic partnership, introducing a spiced flavor profile that feels both contemporary and true to our heritage. It marks an exciting next step in making bar quality serves effortless, without compromise on taste.”
BACARDÍ Spiced & Coca Cola® is available now in Great Britain, at major retailers nationwide in 250ml cans.
https://www.coca-cola.com/gb/en/offerings/bacardiandcoke/product
NICOYA RUM
LES BIENHEUREUX announced the official U.S. launch of NICOYA, the first single-estate rum of Costa Rica. Beginning March 2nd, NICOYA will be available in Total Wine’s active states, online and in store. After a successful European debut in 2024 with leading distribution partners, NICOYA recorded triple digit growth during its first year of international expansion. The brand now enters the U.S. market, bringing a new origin to the rum category. Born in the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica, NICOYA is the first Costa Rican rum produced entirely on a single estate. NICOYA is produced from sugarcane grown, distilled and aged on the same property, ensuring full control from cane to final blend. NICOYA is crafted from Costa Rican sugarcane and blended from three traditional rum bases, fresh cane juice, sugarcane honey and molasses, each distilled separately before blending to preserve the character of each component. The project was initiated by Alexandre Sirech, Co-Founder & C.E.O. of LES BIENHEUREUX, formerly C.E.O. of Havana Club International. “After leading one of the world’s most iconic rum houses, I wanted to identify the finest sugarcane terroir of the planet. Costa Rica stood apart. A free rum, born in a free country. Among fifteen candidate countries, Costa Rica offered exceptional agricultural quality, political stability, and the opportunity to build the country’s first fully integrated single estate rum distillery. At Miami Rum Congress, we felt a strong appetite for origin. One country. One estate. Full traceability from sugarcane to final blend. Our fruit expressions were very well received. Costa Rica is the world’s leading pineapple producer, and our Pineapple reflects that identity. Passion Fruit expresses the vibrant character of maracuyá, balanced by rum structure. The category is moving to origin, transparency, and fruit.” The range launched in the U.S. will include: NICOYA Blanco (40% ABV), NICOYA Añejo (40% ABV, Aged in bourbon barrels from Kentucky), NICOYA Pineapple (37.5% ABV, Infused with pineapple) and NICOYA Passion Fruit (37.5% ABV, Infused with maracuyá/passion fruit) https://lesbienheureux.com/
RUMS OF MEXICO
Commonly noted as the world’s most diverse spirit category, rum is made in nearly every region on the planet. In recent years some of the most exciting and unique sugarcane distillates have been coming out of Mexico, and the initial offerings from The Rums of Mexico are no different. They represent a selection of the country’s finest makers of both traditional and modern cane spirits, which are often called aguardiente, cañita, chinguirito, cañazo, or simply ron. With dozens of cane varieties, extensive terroir, and varying local production methods, this range shares just a slice of the beauty to be found amongst The Rums of Mexico. Their first offerings include:
CALDO by Orlando Vásquez in Tlaltetela, Veracrúz. A second-generation cane farmer and first-generation aguardiente producer, Orlando and his family have historically focused on the production of panela. Just over a decade ago, Orlando decided to experiment with the distillation of rehydrated Panela as well as fresh pressed cane juice, and he has spent the last few years perfecting his craft. Orlando Vásquez crafts this aguardiente from the fresh juice aka “caldo” of two cane varieties, 290 and CP421, prized for their high sugar content and quick growth. He uses a four-plate, continuous copper still heated by firewood. CALDO is bottled at 52.3% ABV.
CAÑA CRISTALINA by Marcos López in Cosautlán de Carvajal, Veracrúz. A renaissance man in the agricultural sense, Marcos Lopez not only cultivates and distills cane but is also a coffee farmer, lime grower, and beekeeper. He learned the aguardiente trade from his grandfather and father, Marcos Sr, who made the family’s aguardiente still and also makes and repairs the stills of other local distillers. This regionally rare cane variety was farmed in the district of Cosautlán de Carvajal, Veracruz. Considered to be a delicate species that is susceptible to plagues, few farmers still opt to cultivate this uncommon varietal. Marcos distilled this batch from fermented Cristalina sugarcane juice with an open flame on a 5-plate copper and stainless steel still made by his father. CAÑA CRISTALINA is bottled at 49.4% ABV.
CAÑA CRIOLLA by Pedro Bautista in Zoquiapam Boca de los RÍos, Oaxaca. Pedro is a second-generation aguardientero and one of the only aguardiente distillers in the region. He works with a small group of cane growers alongside the Río Monteflor. Cultivated by Daniel Vega Santiago, Caña Criolla is a yellow-colored, hearty cane variety that grows among columnar cactus and biznagas and is irrigated from water drawn from the nearby Río Monteflor. This rum was made from fresh cane juice that Pedro ferments in 1100-liter closed tanks, for periods that regularly surpass twenty days. He has been distilling on the same continuous copper 4-plate still for twenty years and historically has only sold to the local populace. CAÑA CRIOLLA is bottled at 51.9% ABV.
CAÑA DURA by Marcos López in Cosautlán de Carvajal, Veracrúz. Another rum from Marcos López. Prized for its resilience, the pale yellow-green variety is also referred to as Caña Fierro and is the most common cane variety found in the municipality. CAÑA DURA is bottled at 46.4% ABV.
ELAZA CON MUCK by Pedro Andrés and Jorge Nájera at the Satvrnal Distillery in Zapopan, Jalisco. The product of two first-generation distillers with a knack for experimentation and new flavors, Melaza con Muck is the debut of this mark from the Satvrnal Distillery. Inspired by the funky flavors of high ester Caribbean rums, Pedro Andrés and Jorge Nájera created their own recipe of muck and fermented it for 15 days with high grade molasses. They distilled that fermented mash in a copper hybrid still before bottling it at a 57.1% ABV. https://www.pmspirits.com/
HURRICANE MELISSA EFFECTS ON WRAY & NEPHEW
Jamaican news source The Gleaner reported that Hurricane Melissa cost Campari, the Italian spirits company, €21 million (J$3.5 billion) as the local operation, J. Wray & Nephew Ltd, suffered from a reduction in alcohol consumption, masking what would otherwise have been a stronger year. The storm disrupted local consumption and tourist traffic across the island in a season typically critical for the spirits industry. The company noted that production sites sustained minimal direct damage, limiting operational disruption, though reduced foot traffic from both locals and tourists weighed heavily on volumes in the quarter. Campari separately disclosed it donated J$250 million (US$1.6 million) to the Jamaican Government’s hurricane relief fund and local non-governmental organizations to support community recovery efforts.
HAMPDEN ESTATE
Hampden Estate has released Hampden Fifteen, the distillery’s oldest expression matured under Jamaica’s tropical climate since the Hampden Estate started aging its’ rums on site in 2010. For the first time ever, Hampden is able to showcase its unique character thanks to such an extended period of barrel aging. The hot and humid conditions of the Estate’s warehouse concentrate esters and flavors to levels comparable to a 45-year-old whisky or cognac aged in Europe. This small batch carries an ester content of 200–400 g/HLAP at distillation, corresponding to an old mark first created back in 1952. Its aromatic profile, shaped by extended ageing in bourbon barrels, unveils layers of fruity, oily, oxidative, and delicately powdery notes. It is bottled at 50% ABV. https://hampdenestaterum.com/
RON DIPLOMÁTICO CHANCELLOR
Ron Diplomático has unveiled Chancellor, the most exclusive rum in its history, with a limited edition comprising just 900 bottles worldwide. This launch represents the culmination of years of expertise and tradition, crafted from the distillery’s oldest and most prized reserves. The new rum is built around an intricate triple-cask maturation process, an approach designed to layer complexity and structure into the final blend. Diplomático’s maestros roneros employed French virgin oak, American virgin oak, and seasoned American oak casks in succession, allowing each wood’s influence to shape the spirit’s character. The result is a rum that reflects both meticulous blending and the brand’s philosophy of unhurried craftsmanship. Elena Petrov, Global Brand Director for Diplomático, describes Chancellor as a defining moment for the house. “Chancellor captures the very heart of our passion for craftsmanship,” she explains. “It is a rare, unhurried masterpiece designed for those who understand that true luxury lies not only in the spirit itself, but in the story behind it.”
https://www.rondiplomatico.com/
CHANCELLOR’S TREASURED NOTES
To further enhance your Diplomático Chancellor tasting experience, an Oxford University professor has teamed up with a world-renowned Venezuelan composer to create a bespoke song that is ‘scientifically proven’ to enhance the taste of the ultra-rare rum. Sonic seasoning authority Professor Charles Spence applied his cutting-edge research into how sound influences flavor perception to inform a new track by pianist and composer Clara Rodríguez, designed to amplify the sweeter, richer, and more complex notes of Diplomático’s limited-edition Chancellor rum. The collaboration is rooted in ‘sonic seasoning’ research, which explores ‘cross modal perception’, the idea that what we hear can prime the brain to notice certain tastes more strongly. By linking specific musical elements to taste profiles, the right soundtrack can ‘dial up’ sweetness, richness, and warmth. Spence, who partnered with Diplomático to celebrate the launch of Chancellor, said: “Flavor is never just on the tongue, and the right notes can transform how these are perceived by our brains. In this piece of Venezuelan music, we translated the rum’s tasting notes into sound, so when people listen while they taste, the music gently nudges perception, making the rum feel richer, warmer, and more expressive.” The four-minute song, titled The Chancellor’s Treasured Notes, uses specific musical techniques to accentuate the nose, taste and finish of the Chancellor rum. The piece starts with longer, sustained tones by the piano to accentuate the butterscotch while the bass brings lower notes to compliment the tobacco aromas, as it has been found within sensory studies that lower pitched sounds accentuate bitterness. The cuatro and maracas are reminiscent of wind rustling through sugar cane plantations, establishing an evocative and sensory soundscape. Composer Clara Rodríguez, said: “Within this piece it was essential for me to connect with our shared Venezuelan origins, which is the cultural and emotional foundation of everything I compose.” You can hear The Chancellor’s Treasured Notes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3gvbWfN6D8
BLACK TEARS
Black Tears Cuban Spiced Rum has launched Race to Havana, a 26-part digital series designed to shift from traditional brand placement to active brand integration. The series follows six Cuban micro influencers divided into three creative teams who must travel 600 kilometers from the Black Tears factory, located outside of Ciego de Ávila in central Cuba, to Havana. The route takes the teams through Trinidad, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara, and Matanzas before concluding with a final sprint to Havana. A key element of the challenge is that the individuals must use Black Tears rum as their only currency for transportation and logistics. Henrik von Celsing, Creative Lead at Black Tears, told Spirit Business “The Race to Havana campaign is about moving from brand placement to true brand integration, where Black Tears is the engine of the story rather than a backdrop. By making the liquid the only currency for a long journey across Cuba, we’ve woven the brand into the fabric of a high-stakes story. This turns the audience from passive viewers into an active community that truly engages with every bottle traded and every kilometer gained.” Three teams of two participated: a street artist and a tattoo artist, a DJ and a mixologist, and a stylist and a fashion model. The winners were awarded with a ‘life-changing’ investment in their creative careers. Black Tears’ Race to Havana trailer is now available on YouTube and the @blacktearscubanspiced Instagram account, and a new episode will be released every 72 hours. Each leg will consist of three to four episodes, with each episode lasting one to two minutes. @blacktearscubanspiced, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAAxq3_6CKg
TEN TO ONE
Ten To One has announced three new, limited releases:
Oloroso Sherry Cask Select is a blend of rums from Barbados, Trinidad, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic that have been finished in Oloroso Sherry barrels and bottled at 43% AB.
Triple Cask Reserve: Federation Blend No. 1 is drawn from exceptional 18-year casks from Barbados, Trinidad, and Jamaica and bottled at 46% ABV.
18 Year Reserve Cask Collection: Trinidad is one of three single-cask expressions in the Reserve Cask Collection. It is drawn from an exceptional 18-year Trinidadian rum and bottled at 46% ABV.
https://www.tentoonerum.com/
