Rum in the News
LA MAISON & VELIER
LM&V has released VELIER BEENLEIGH 2013. The Beenleigh Distillery was founded in 1884 and it is Australia’s oldest operating distillery. Located in Queensland on northeastern coast of the country, it is in the heart of an area known for its sugarcane. The history of Beenleigh forms part of the heritage of Australian rum, including being an historical supplier of the British Royal Navy. Beenleigh produces its rums from local water and molasses. Distillation first takes place with a traditional single column still and then in a pot still. This pot still is called ‘The Old Copper’ and it’s a vat still similar to the old Demerara ones. The rums are then aged in large wooden vats and ex-Bourbon barrels. This release was distilled in single column and redistilled in the distillery’s pot still in August and September 2013. This rum has been aged in ex–bourbon barrels in the tropical climate of the Beenleigh warehouse, with a total angel’s share of more than 25%. Bottled overproof at 59% abv. Additive-free.
https://www.lmvusa.com/
MONTANYA RUM
Montanya Rum has announced the development of a truly notable advisory committee, comprised of some of the most reputable, globally recognized experts across the wider beverage industry:
Jeff Sarfino, Chairman & CEO, Lanterna Distributors, Inc.
Jimmy Bruton, Experienced alcoholic beverage leader with over 30 years of experience, most recently serving as CMO for Via Carota Craft Cocktails.
Michelle Ivey, A proven brand builder who helped scale Illegal Mezcal from early growth through its acquisition by Bacardi, with a track record of building culturally resonant premium brands across spirits, hospitality, and lifestyle; CEO of Lake Hour Cocktails and Co-Founder of Como No Energy.
Sivan Cotel, Strategic executive and board leader with 20 years of experience, including a decade+ launching new startups and managing profit/nonprofit boards to drive business performance and client service excellence.
Taylor Foxman, Founder & CEO, The Industry Collective.
William Kehler, Liquor and Beverage Industry Veteran with over 12 years of experience; having launched 3 product lines across whiskey, flavored shots, and hemp beverages; expertise in social media influencer marketing, new product formulation, and supply chain.
Expertise across the advisory board encompasses notable tenured work across finance, communications, marketing, venture capital, go-to-market, commercialization, and operations, with 50+ years of industry experience. “Montanya has always been built around bold thinking, a sense of adventure, and the belief that world-class rum can come from the mountains of Colorado. As we enter our next stage of growth, this advisory board brings together experienced founders, operators, and brand builders who will challenge our thinking, expand our network, and help us scale with discipline, while staying true to the fun, adventurous lifestyle and strong sense of place that make Montanya Rum unique.,” said Megan Campbell, CEO and Head Distiller of Montanya Rum. https://www.montanyarum.com/home
BEENLEIGH
The latest from Beenleigh is their 2026 XO Rare Release. Distilled in 2013 and matured for more than a decade in Queensland’s tropical climate, this limited release pot still rum has been carefully selected, cask by cask, by their Distiller Levi de Loryn to showcase the depth, richness and complexity that only time can create. They selected older parcels of rum to deliver even greater depth and character. Beenleigh also introduced a premium presentation gift box that better reflects the craftmanship, heritage, and story behind Beenleigh rum. To further enhance the drinking experience, XO Rare 2026 is bottled at 43% ABV, creating a smoother, more approachable palate while retaining the rich complexity and long, warming finish that defines this exceptional rum.
https://www.beenleighrum.com.au/
KRAKEN
The Kraken Spiced Rum makes its ready-to-drink debut with two offerings in the UK market with classic flavors: Kraken Black Spiced & Cola combines its signature spiced black rum with cola and a hint of lime.
Black Spiced & Ginger mixes the rum with spiced ginger beer.
Their website also shows a Kraken Rum Punch, featuring a burst of tropical flavors and Caribbean spiced rum.
All three are offered at 5% ABV in a 330ml canned format. https://www.krakenrum.com/
PUSSER’S RUM
Calm Seas Painkiller® is a premium tropical fruit juice cocktail inspired by the legendary Caribbean drink that has captivated beach bars for decades, now reimagined with hemp-derived Delta-9 THC. Pusser’s took the familiar flavors of pineapple, orange and coconut, blended them with real juice, and added a precise 5mg of Delta-9 THC for adult social occasions. The result is a juice-forward beverage that tastes like an island vacation.
It’s everything you love about the iconic island cocktail, just lighter, calmer and made for a new kind of happy hour. The slim, 12-ounce cans feature 54% real juice and no alcohol. https://pussersrum.com/
CASA BACARDI
For the first time, BACARDÍ rum is opening the doors of its legendary aging warehouses in Puerto Rico to the general public, giving visitors unprecedented access to the craftsmanship, heritage and innovation at the heart of its rum-making tradition. This experience is a result of a multi-million-dollar investment in warehousing and the visitor center experience and comes as the company celebrates 90 years in Puerto Rico, where it operates the largest premium rum distillery in the world. The recent investment Bacardi has made in Puerto Rico provides a new experience that allows visitors to learn about aging and blending processes. The new warehouses use technology and recycled materials to reduce impact and improve efficiency, all while increasing aging capacity. In addition, the new visitor experience has created additional jobs on site. This most recent expansion brings the company’s total investment in Puerto Rico to more than USD 100+ million in the past five years alone. Edwin Zayas, Senior Director of Supply Chain for Bacardi in Puerto Rico and Jacksonville said “This investment represents the company’s ongoing commitment to producing exceptional rums and preserving the craftsmanship that has defined BACARDÍ for generations. By continuing to invest in our world-class facilities and visitor experiences, we are honoring our heritage while offering new ways for consumers to experience the art of rum making.” With the addition of the warehouses, visitors can now experience a new 90-minute-long ‘Maestro’s Walk’ tour. The Maestro is the master behind every rum blend and guardian of the rum-making tradition passed down by the Bacardí family for seven generations. Visitors will follow the same walking path as a Maestro, right into the heart of the BACARDÍ rum aging process, where rum patiently matures. Once inside the aging warehouse, they can sample rum straight from the barrel and learn about the art and science of aging and blending. Katalina Puig, Casa BACARDÍ Senior Operations Manager added
“We’re excited to invite guests beyond the tasting room and into the heart of our rum-making process. Our new tour offers visitors a rare glimpse into our aging warehouses and an opportunity to immerse themselves in the tradition of 164-year-old craftsmanship that defines BACARDÍ rum.”
https://www.visitcasabacardi.com.
BRISTOL CLASSIC RUM
For the rum collector, Bristol has an extremely limited, very rare, high-quality bottling of Jamaican Rum from the historic Long Pond Distillery. It was distilled in 1986, and was originally part of a private collector’s personal stock and long aged in an ex-bourbon before being moved to Scotland, where it was bottled on December 6, 2018. Because it was originally intended for a small batch of private drinkers, only a tiny number of bottles exist, making this a rare opportunity to buy one for your collection. The Rum itself is the IRW mark (Ironshore Rum Wedderburn), and it has not been chill-filtered.
https://www.bristolclassicrum.com/
CADENHEAD’S
Cadenhead’s is now offering monthly London Rum Tastings. This tasting experience lasts approximately 1hour and 15 minutes and the next session takes place on Tuesday, September 29th. You will have the opportunity to taste 6 rums (6x15ml) during the tasting, featuring some rums from their May/June 2026 Rum Release, plus a few favorites from previous releases. As well as tasting some great rums, your host will also provide you with information on each of the rums featured, a brief history of Cadenhead’s and more. Your host will also be happy to take questions. For more information, please contact the London shop directly via london@cadenhead.scot. https://experience.cadenhead.scot/
RUM TAX AS A PERMANENT FUND
Puerto Rican news source, The Weekly Journal, reported that Puerto Rico Representative Tatiana Pérez is looking to convert a portion of the revenue the territory receives from the federal rum tax into a permanent fund to finance scientific research, medical infrastructure, environmental projects, and technological development. House Bill 1350 proposes allocating a portion of these funds to create an Endowment Fund and investing and utilizing only the returns it generates in the future. In the past, Puerto Rico received between $300 and $400 million annually from the refund of federal excise taxes on rum produced on the island and sold in the United States. Starting in January of this year, the tax rate increased from $10.50 to $13.25 per gallon, which could bring the annual total to close to $500 million. Under the current plan, 25% of these funds are allocated to incentives for the rum industry, and the rest is added to the general fund. “What this project proposes is that, instead of spending all that money year after year, a portion be dedicated to creating a permanent asset for Puerto Rico,” stated Pérez, representative for the New Progressive Party (PNP) and author of the bill. The measure establishes that, after the current allocation of 25% of those funds for incentives to the rum industry, the Secretary of the Treasury will deposit annually into the new fund an amount equivalent to 20% of the revenue from the federal excise tax on rum. “What I’m seeking is to legislate with a sense of conscience and with future generations in mind, not to apply temporary fixes now, only to find ourselves having to solve the problem tomorrow, as is happening now,” the legislator explained. According to the measure’s explanatory memorandum, the fund’s principal will remain intact for the first five years. During that period, all interest and profits generated will be reinvested to increase the fund’s assets. Once that term is over, the capital will remain permanent, and only the returns earned on its investments may be used.
BRUGAL RUM
Brugal announced the final installation of its limited-edition series: Colección Visionaria Edición 03, Coconut. Crafted by fifth generation Maestra Ronera, Jassil Villanueva Quintana, the new offering marks the completion of a three-part exploration into the Dominican Republic’s heritage with a window into an ingredient deeply rooted in the culture of the island. Under the stewardship of Villanueva, Colección Visionaria Edición 03 continues the journey led by the first two releases, toasting French oak casks with Dominican coconuts creating a subtle, elegant character. The result is an attractive, tropical rum, deeply rooted in the brand identity, that maintains the layered complexity of the Colección Visionaria series. “Colección Visionaria was born from a desire to capture the beauty of my home, through 100% Dominican ingredients,” says Jassil Villanueva Quintana. “For this final addition, I chose coconut because it is the rhythm of our island, from the shade of the palms to the ritual of coconut water shared among friends. In Colección Visionaria Edición 03, we have captured that warmth, creating a rum that is as much a tribute to our future as it is to our heritage.”
https://www.brugal-rum.com/en-us.
DEMERARA DISTILLERS
Demerara Distillers has broken ground on a US$10 million expansion of its facility on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. The new multi-purpose complex will feature expanded bottling, packaging, and state-of-the-art warehousing capacity, positioning the facility as a pivotal hub to serve St. Kitts & Nevis, as well as surrounding island markets across the Eastern Caribbean. Beyond enhancing core manufacturing and logistics, the development will feature dedicated retail and commercial spaces, along with an interactive Heritage Center modelled after DDL’s renowned Heritage Centre at its corporate headquarters in Diamond, Guyana. The St. Kitts Heritage Centre will curate and celebrate the rich history and cultural legacy of rum in the Federation, offering curated tours and immersive experiences for local visitors and international tourists alike. Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honorable Dr. Terrance Drew, welcomed the investment as a powerful testament to economic confidence and intra-regional partnership saying “Your decision to invest here sends an important message that our federation remains a jurisdiction in which serious investors can establish roots, expand their operations, and build enduring partnerships with our people.” DDL Executive Chairman Komal Samaroo emphasized that the expansion reflects DDL’s unwavering, long-term commitment to deepening its investments in the region and driving sustainable economic integration,
“Demerara Distillers has been an integral part of the business landscape in St. Kitts and Nevis for 31 years. This US$10 million expansion is not merely an investment in infrastructure; it is an investment in our people, our heritage, and the future of regional trade. By expanding our bottling, packaging, and distribution capabilities, we are better positioned to supply regional markets while celebrating the shared historical craftsmanship of Caribbean rum through our new Heritage Centre”
https://demeraradistillers.com/
LAMB’S RUM
Corby Spirit and Wine Limited announced it has sold the Lamb’s rum brand and certain assets to Maison des Futailles, L.P., a subsidiary of Phildan Inc., and Glen Turner Company Limited, a subsidiary of La Martiniquaise-Bardinet for $39.2 million. Under the agreement, Phildan acquired the North American rights to the brand, while La Martiniquaise-Bardinet acquired the rights to the brand in the rest of the world outside North America. “Lamb’s is one of Canada’s most recognized rum brands, and we’re proud to welcome it into our family. This acquisition strengthens our brand portfolio, expands our presence in the spirits category and reflects our long-term commitment to investing in brands with strong consumer recognition and significant growth potential,” said Hugues Gauthier, President of Phildan. “Lamb’s is a well-established brand in the United Kingdom that complements our existing portfolio and strategic objectives. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and committed to supporting the brand’s continued success and building the next chapter of its long history,” said Christophe Pichambert, International Director, La Martiniquaise-Bardinet. https://corby.ca/en/
https://www.vinsdandurand.com/en/
https://www.la-martiniquaise.com/en/home-2/
