"Got Rum?" Magazine
Rum in the News
The most recent and noteworthy headlines in the rum industry, written by Mike Kunetka and published monthly in the "Got Rum?" magazine. To share your news with our readers, please send an email to Mike@gotrum.com
HAWAII SEA SPIRITS
At the beginning of last month, Hawai’i got a new luxury rum. BRUM is a world-sourced selection of aged rums crafted in the solera-blend style by Hawaii Sea Spirits Organic Farm and Distillery, the makers of Ocean Organic Vodka. “We search artisan cellars around the world and individually select elegant rums that have been aging 4 to 12+ years,” states Bill Scott, Master Distiller. “They represent a multitude of styles and are selected based on character, profile and quality. We bring the assortment back to Hawaii, blend them together along with rum spirits distilled at our facility and place them into recommissioned bourbon barrels spiked with hand-charred Kiawe staves from retired Kiawe trees on our 80-acre farm.” The blended- batch is allowed to age an additional 1 to 2+ years and is routinely reviewed by Bill for aroma, taste and consistency. Once he feels the spirits have reached their optimal state, it is drawn from the barrels and blended with deep ocean mineral water to achieve an 80 proof BRUM masterpiece. Shay Smith, Founder and President says, “BRUM releases will be limited to small batches based on perfecting the spirits and the quantity available at the time of release. This and each future release will be our Master Distiller’s artistic expression and available in extremely limited quantities exclusively at our distillery for connoisseurs and collectors.” Paying tribute to all the great sources of rum in the world, BRUM holds a deep, rich buttery rum flavor, balanced by plenty of time in seasoned oak barrels. Not woody, just perfectly mature with nods to tropical fruits and a slight sweetness, yielding to a silky- smooth warmness all the way down for a delicious one-of-a-kind rum experience not seen before in the aged rum market. www.hawaiiseaspirits.com
ISH DRINKS
Danish producer Ish drinks has launched its non- alcoholic rum in the UK through distributor Hops, Grapes and Spirits.
Ish drinks uses ‘natural’ ingredients to provide alcohol-free alternatives for rum and gin, called RumishISH and GinISH. Morten Sorenson realized there was an absolute need to turn the tables on the social norms of drinking. He wanted to provide an alcohol-free option for those who don’t always have the desire to drink alcohol, but appreciate the social aspects of enjoying a cocktail. RumISH is an alternative for the athlete, the pregnant woman or the designated driver. It’s for those who can tear up the dance floor completely sober and for those who simply want to wake up with a clear head on a Sunday morning. Realizing people craved the same familiar flavors, Sorenson created RumISH, so anyone can still mix their favorite cocktail, without alcohol and without compromise. The alcohol-free spirits are made from natural aromas such as juniper berries, vanilla and nutmeg, the same ingredients you’ll find in a typical gin or rum. He has carefully extracted the aromas from these natural botanicals and spices and, with proprietary recipes, combined the ingredients to obtain the familiar flavors you recognize, as an alcohol-free alternative to your classic spirits. The process of extracting an aroma from its natural state occasionally requires a small amount of alcohol to release its full flavor. This is why ISH is labeled with 0.5% alcohol, but at such an ultra-low percentage, ISH is still considered alcohol-free. RumISH contains zero sugar for an ultra-low calorie content of 6 kcal pr. 100 ml. www.ishspirits.com
CAMPARI – TROIS RIVIERES – LA MAUNY
Davide Campari-Milano S.P.A. announced today that it has entered into an exclusive negotiations with Compagnie Financière Chevrillon and a group of minority shareholders (the ‘Sellers’), and granted there to in such context a put option, with a view to acquire the French company Rhumantilles SAS, owner of 96.5% of the Martinique based company Bellonnie & Bourdillon Successeurs. An iconic ‘Rhum Agricole’ producer with secular know-how rooted in craftsmanship and French Caribbean tradition, Bellonnie & Bourdillon Successeurs is the owner of Trois Rivières and Maison La Mauny, strategic premium brands with a strong presence in France and potential for international growth, as well as Duquesne, a brand designed for the local market. Trois Rivières, Maison La Mauny and Duquesne obtained the Appellation d’Origine Controlée ‘Rhum Agricole de la Martinique’ certification, defining production standards and product designation, globally recognized as synonymous with high quality and link to the territory. Rhum Agricole, inside the overall rum category, is the only segment claiming such a high-level regulation behind the production process, which provides significant barrier to entry for potential competitors. The reported net sales value of the Target in 2018 was €24.1 million. The projected transaction scope includes the brands, the land holdings, the related distilleries and visitor centers as well as a high-quality aged rum inventory. With this contemplated acquisition Campari group will have an opportunity to add prestigious Rhum Agricole brands to its offering and enhance its exposure to rum, a premiumizing category currently at the heart of the mixology trend and growing cocktail culture. Moreover, France is poised to become one of the group’s strategic markets and with this acquisition Campari group has the opportunity to add significant critical mass in this market. Upon the hopefully positive conclusion of the negotiations, Campari group will communicate thereupon and provide the key financial terms of the transaction. www.camparigroup.com, http://www. plantationtroisrivieres.com, https://maisonlamauny. com/
MONTANYA DISTILLERS
Constellation Brands acquired a minority stake in Colorado-based, American craft rum maker Montanya Distillers. The investment was made through Constellation Brands Ventures’ Focus on Female Founders program which makes meaningful investments in female-founded and female-led businesses doing disruptive and innovative work across beverage alcohol. Women-led businesses are the fastest-growing segment of entrepreneurship in the United States, but they only receive a fraction of venture capital funding. Similarly, women are an underrepresented consumer across total beverage alcohol, even though they account for nearly half of the category’s total consumer base. These gaps are real. It is why Constellation Brands plan to invest $100 million in female-founded or led businesses by 2028 as part of their Focus on Female Founders Program. Karen Hoskin is Founder, President and CEO of Montanya Distillers, which will continue to manage, produce, market and sell its high-performing, award- winning rums such as Montanya Platino, Montanya Oro, and Montanya Exclusiva. They want to assure their customers that their values remain the same. Their status as a B Corp is unchanged, and they are as committed as ever to continuing the practices that helped them earn that certification. Montanya will also remain in Crested Butte, where the character of their operations and their Elk Avenue Tasting Room will remain intact and when they expand distilling, they will do so locally. The biggest change will be an increased availability of the rums their customers love. www.montanyarum.com, www.cbrands.com
FLOR DE CAÑA
Flor de Caña, a Fair Trade certified and sustainably sourced super premium rum, has been chosen as the official rum partner of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Through this partnership, both organizations will work together to recognize and award the talented men and women behind the world’s finest restaurants. During the 2019 award ceremony, held in Singapore on June 26th, participants and special guests received a gift bottle of Flor de Caña 18 Year, an ultra-premium rum aged for 18 years and one of the brand’s finest offerings. Furthermore, in collaboration with renowned bartenders from the world’s best bars, Flor de Caña held a series of master classes and offered attendees a variety of its signature premium cocktails during the event. Since 2002, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants has reflected the diversity of the world’s culinary landscape. Thanks to its panel of more than 1,000 culinary experts, as well as its structured and audited voting procedure, the annual list of the world’s finest restaurants provides a snapshot of some of the best destinations for unique culinary experiences, in addition to being a barometer for global gastronomic trends. www.flordecana.com, www.theworlds50best.com
MARTINIQUE RHUM AWARDS
The Caribbean Journal staff reported that it was a strong start for the first-ever edition of the Martinique Rhum Awards. The new rum festival, the brainchild of world-famous beach bar proprietor Guy Ferdinand and the Rum Embassy, featured a week of high- level rum events (including a popular bartending competition) and a panel of judges who rated more than 100 rums from around Martinique, Guadeloupe and the world. The judges were Dirk Becker, Suzanne Long, Matt Pietreck, Thomasz Krzyk, Alexandre Vingtier, Annie Des Groseilliers, Alexander Britell, Jean Claude Paderna, Hugues Labrador and Lauent Thirion. The festival concluded with a “Rum Village” on the beach in Carbet and a gala dinner at Trois Ilets’ La Suite Villa restaurant. The Martinique Rhum Awards aims to celebrate what is the most famous export of the French Caribbean department. The winners were: La Mauny 50%, Martinique for White Rhum Agricole AOC Martinique 55%; Rhum Dillon 55, Martinique for White Rhum Agricole AOC Martinique 55+; Rhum A1710 Renaissance, Martinique for White Rhum Agricole non-AOC up to 55%; Pere Labat 59%, Guadeloupe for White Rhum Agricole non-AOC 55+; Dillon VSOP, Martinique for Rhum Agricole AOC Martinique from 3 to 6 years; Rhum Karukera Black Edition Alligator, Guadeloupe for Rhum Agricole non-AOC 4 years and up; A1710 Soleil de Minuit, Martinique for Molasses Rum 3 to 12 Years; HSE XO, Martinique for Rhum Agricole AOC Martinique 6 years and up; Plantation Rum Jamaica 2005 for Molasses Rum 12 years and up; Trois Rivieres Cask Strength 2006 for Rhum Agricole AOC Martinique Cask Strength; MHOBA Rum Select Reserve French Cask Rum, South Africa for Rhum Agricole non-AOC Cask Strength; and Riviere du Mat 2006 (Cuvee of the Confrerie du Rhum), Reunion for Molasses Rum Cask Strength. martinique.rhum. awards@gmail.com
TEN TO ONE RUM
This newly launched Caribbean rum line is the brainchild of Trinidadian native Marc Farrell, who was formerly Starbucks’ youngest vice president. Marc says “As someone born and raised in the Caribbean, I’ve been a student of rum, and its place within a myriad of settings, my entire life. With this has come a deep sense of appreciation for both the heritage of rum, as well as the broader role that it plays in contemporary Caribbean culture. In the US, I believe that there is an enormous opportunity to further elevate the conversation around rum, not only by introducing a high-quality spirit to market but by broadening and challenging the current perception around rum and the occasions for which it might be considered the spirit of choice for today’s consumer.” The white rum is a blend of column still rum from the Dominican Republic and high ester pot still rum from Jamaica, combined to yield a beautiful extra-proof expression. 100% rum with no added sugar, color, or flavoring. 45% ABV. The dark rum is a blend of 8-year old aged Barbados and Dominican column still rums, combined with high ester Jamaican pot still rum, and Trinidadian rum. Aged in American white oak ex-bourbon casks. Again, 100% rum with no added sugar, color or flavoring at 40% ABV. Both Ten To one rum expressions taste wonderful when sipped neat or mixed into cocktails. www.tentoonerum.com
DENIZEN VATTED DARK RUM
Hotaling & Co. is proud to introduce Denizen Vatted Dark Rum as part of its portfolio of premium craft spirits. Paying homage to the courageous slaves who rebelled against their British colonists in Guyana on August 18, 1823, Denizen Dark Rum embodies the liberated spirit which is the essence of the Denizen brand. Rich in history and flavor, the rum combines dark rum blended in the old vatted style originally formulated for the British Navy in the mid- 18th century. Distilled from a collection of antique stills, 80% of the blend is produced in Guyana. The Alcademics website breaks down the Guyana blend into three marks: 25% is 2-5 year old aged rum from Guyana distilled in French Savalle and Wooden Coffey Stills, then aged in ex-bourbon barrels. 25% is Unaged wooden pot still rum from Guyana. 50% is Dark unaged wooden pot still rum from Guyana. The remaining 20% of the total blend is of fresh rhum agricole from Martinique. “We have recognized the need in the mixology community for a high-quality vatted dark rum that can transcend the Tiki craze,” says Gregory Fitch, Hotaling & Co.’s Chief Sales Officer. “We are fortunate that the Denizen team has the expertise to create an award-winning, affordable spirit that can benefit any true cocktail program.” “We are continuing to see growth in the premium dark rum category driven by consumer interest in elevating their cocktail experience. Denizen Vatted is a rum that fulfills just such a need,” says Morgan Robbat, Chief Marketing Officer at Hotaling & Co. “The diverse origins of the final blend come together beautifully in a flavor forward, 100 proof rum that can work perfectly in both an elevated cocktail served at a bar, or an elegant simple serve that can be enjoyed in the comfort of home.” http://denizenrum. com/
LOUISIANA SPIRITS
According to the American press newspaper, Louisiana Spirits, the largest privately owned rum distillery in the U.S., is seeking a tax break for a $4.5 million expansion project, which company officials said will increase production and attract more visitors. The company, which produces Bayou Rum products at its facility in Lacassine, asked the Jeff Davis Parish Police Jury Wednesday to approve the tax exemption. The Police Jury considered the matter at its July 23rd meeting. The tax break would be for five years and would exempt the company from paying $66,892 annually in ad valorem taxes to help offset the cost of the expansion of its manufacturing process to include bottling of Bayou Rum products. The exemption is part of the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP), which makes tax incentives available for manufacturers who commit to jobs and payroll. Amy McFarland, who oversees hospitality for Louisiana Spirits and Bayou Rum, said the company is looking at increasing production, jobs and revenues with the expansion. The company currently pays the parish nearly $30,000 annually in taxes, which will increase with continued production and the addition of new liqueurs and labels, she said. “We want to continue to support Jeff Davis Parish as we continue to grow,” Office Manager Regina Hoeflicker added. “As everyone knows, we have an expansion that is going on, and it is almost complete.” Earlier this month the company officially opened an $8 million expansion including a 4,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor event center and 6,000 storage barrel library. The event center, which includes a stage and dance floor, is a venue for weddings, reunions, holiday parties, concerts, fitness programs and other local events, McFarland said. The expansion created three new permanent jobs with $90,000 in salaries and 30 construction jobs with salaries totaling $2 million, according to information provided to the state. https://bayourum. com/
SPIRITED UNION
Spirited Union has introduced a new botanical rum, Union Lemon & Leaf. They have distilled their Agricole-style rum from Mauritius, made from fresh sugar cane juice, with delicious zesty lemons grown along the sun-filled Amalfi coast in pursuit of an unrivaled fresh taste. These lemony flavors have been united with the delicate earthy tone of Kina bark together with Sarawak pepper and Sarsaparilla root for a complex spicy finish. In addition, they have distilled the finest blue eucalyptus leaves to create a balance of refreshing lemon and herbal flavors. When combined with UVA highland black tea, their Mauritian rum’s distinctive grassy citrus notes produce a unique light and minty union. www.spirited-union.com
WEST INDIES RUM & SPIRITS PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION
Prime Minister of Grenada, Keith Mitchell, has lauded the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University of the West Indies Open Campus and the regional rum industry grouping, the West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers Association (WIRSPA). Speaking last week during the signing of the MOU in Grenada, Mitchell said the initiative, which will see as its first task the development of an online training initiative for the industry, was a great example of the university applying itself to the needs of the productive sector, one in which the Caribbean possessed a wealth of expertise and heritage. The MOU was signed during a reception to welcome members of the industry to their annual technical meeting, held in Grenada over the period July 9 to 11. The meeting saw over 35 people from many of the grouping’s large and small distilleries discussing key issues including responsible drinking, production and quality standards, product labelling, environmental management and raw material supplies. Mitchell also commended recent efforts on the part of the industry to intensify its support for tackling problem drinking and in particular, the recent announcement to upgrade product labelling in domestic CARICOM markets and its self-regulation code. According to the chairman of WIRSPA and head of the Guyana conglomerate, Demerara Distillers, Komal Samaroo, “The MOU will provide a framework for cooperation between the regional rum industry and The UWI. Our first planned collaboration is expected to be an online certification offering in rum and spirits production which would be offered to our members and more widely internationally, in several languages.” He added, “This is a unique offering in education and training, coming as it does from the home of rum, the Caribbean.” Chairman of Grenada Distillers, Leroy Neckles, speaking on behalf of the local rum industry welcomed the grouping to Grenada, said, “We in Grenada are proud to host our first meeting of regional rum producers. Grenada has a tremendous rum and sugarcane heritage which is second to none. We hope to share this unique history with our colleagues from the rest of the Caribbean”. www. uwi.edu, www.wirspa.com, www.acr-rum.com
