Rum in the News
TEN TO ONE
Ten To One has released its most exclusive bottling yet, 26-Year Founders Reserve. It is a blend of two Guyanese rums and a Jamaican rum. The first Guyanese rum is 26 years old and was crafted on a Diamond two-column continuous Coffey Still. The second rum is 30 years old and was distilled in a legendary wooden pot still. The Jamaican rum is a 30-year-old pot still rum. While many rum brands play it fast and easy with age statements, Ten to One follows the rules of whiskey from most countries and uses the age of the youngest liquid in the bottle. Founders Reserve has no sugar or artificial coloring. There are only 210 bottles of Ten to One Founder’s Reserve available, each housed in a black wooden box with illustrated maps of the rum’s countries of origin. It is bottled at 43% ABV. https://www.tentoonerum.com/
RON del BARRILITO
Ron del Barrilito has introduced Autobiografía Selección Exclusiva, an exclusive selection of aged rum from a single cask, unblended, pure and 100 percent authentic. Through this extremely limited single barrel program, Ron del Barrilito’s legacy of unparalleled quality and taste is enhanced with the personalized selling of their finest spirits, putting the 140-year-old rum brand in the same category as the most elite scotch, cognac and bourbons on the market. Ron del Barrilito’s robust rum offerings are unique on their own based on the number of years aged in the barrels and expertly blended, but that the brand uses ex-sherry barrels, from start to finish, as opposed to a temporary cask aging or a barrel “finish” of a few months or years, resulting in a much more premium offering and imports a unique flavor. While the barrel aging is no different from the brand’s primary offerings, ranging from 2-Stars to 5-Stars, with the Autobiografía Selección Exclusiva program, there is no additional blending with the liquid and the aging can be pushed beyond the standard 30-year average lifespan well into 50 years, offering a truly one-of-a-kind experience. “Throughout our 140-year history, this marks a new and exciting moment for the brand with an offering that has been decades in the making and pushes premium to the next level,” says Maggie Matias, Chief Commercial Executive at Ron del Barrilito. “The single barrel, pure and unblended rum is unique on its own, but we’re proud to be able to bring an exclusive experience to connoisseurs that both celebrates our heritage and offers unique taste profiles across each barrel, something unique and limited in the category. We’ve always been a brand rooted in smooth, delicious sipping rum backed by an unchanged process and we’re pleased to be able to bring yet another premium liquid to an exclusive subset of our audience through the Autobiografía Selección Exclusiva program. “The exclusivity of the Autobiografia Selección Exclusiva is that each barrel meets the needs of the person or group selecting it, who engage with the brand’s Master Blender, Luis Planas, throughout the process and come away with a rare offering that is unique in taste profile, age, ABV% and total yield, which cannot be replicated. The barrels being selected as part of this program are practically unheard of in terms of age in the rum world, given evaporation and losses, further driving the uniqueness of the offering. Once the barrel is selected, the unblended liquid is then bottled by hand, labeled and sealed in a signature black wax standing out from the any other product in the portfolio. To date, several single barrels have been selected and purchased, one of which was valued at $400k earlier this year and with the most recent purchase being another first for the brand, through a partnership with Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve property. The hotel personally selected this rum for its unique taste profile, while maintaining the allure of exclusivity of Autobiografia, with just 91 bottles in existence. Beginning the end of this year, product and a series of rum tastings will also be available to the hotel guests to experience. www.rondelbarrilito.com.
GOSLINGS
Rough seas make smooth rum. Goslings Rum, known for aging and blending rum since 1806, introduces their first ocean-aged rum, Spirited Seas. The experimental rum was aged across the Atlantic and celebrates ocean adventures and Goslings’ origins on the island of Bermuda. In 2020, Goslings sent 60 once-used bourbon barrels filled with a proprietary blend of aged dark Bermuda rum on board the Oleander. The container ship, known as the lifeline of Bermuda, travels from New Jersey to Bermuda weekly with imports and exports. For over 40 weeks, nearly 60,000 miles, the rum interacted with the charred American white oak over every wave aboard the vessel extracting all the barrel’s flavor. “For the first time, we let go of the aging process and let mother nature take the reins on the open ocean,” says Malcolm Gosling Jr., eighth generation rum maker. “The stormy seas and air had an extraordinary effect on the aging rum blend. Extreme changes in weather forced the rum to expand in warmer climates and contract in colder temperatures. The result is an elegant and complex rum that will be a prized addition to any premium aged spirit collector’s shelf.” Spirited Seas offers subtle oak and allspice aromas and a palate with hints of stone fruit, caramel apple, and salted dark chocolate. The finish is smooth, clean, and lingering with spiced dark oak. Goslings recommends enjoying the rum neat or mixed in a variety of classic cocktails, a twist on the Old Fashioned, an upgraded Rum Punch, a winter warmer like Hot Buttered Rum. A family business for over 200 years, Goslings Rum is Bermuda’s largest export product and the only company that blends and bottles rum on the island. First exported to the United States in 1980, Goslings offers six distinctive, award-winning rums: Goslings Black Seal Rum, Goslings Gold Seal Rum, Goslings 151 Proof Black Seal Rum, Goslings Family Reserve Old Rum, and Goslings Papa Seal Single Barrel Bermuda Rum and Spirited Seas. Spirited Seas will be available for purchase at select U.S. retailers and online at ReserveBar.com, Spirits Network.com, and Drizly https://www.goslingsrum.com/
CANDELA MAMAJUANA
Candela Mamajuana is capturing the flavors of a traditional Latin American holiday season with the launch of its new Coquito Kit Gift Set. This limited-edition kit makes the ideal gift for spirit lovers and festive holiday parties. Putting a twist on the eggnog, coquito is a decadently sweet, milky treat. Retailing for $60, the kit includes everything needed to make Latin America’s favorite holiday cocktail, including a bottle of Candela (750 ml | 30% ABV), four (4) limited edition Holiday and Premium Canned Ingredients needed for Coquito: Condensed Milk, Coconut Milk, Coconut Cream and Evaporated Milk PLUS the Recipe Card. The kits are now available for purchase online. Inspired by the legendary magic elixir of the Dominican Republic, Candela Mamajuana is an exotic blend of ultra-premium Dominican rum, natural spices and honey. Its distinct flavor profile makes Candela the perfect spirit to blend into a coquito. Candela, meaning “on fire” in Spanish slang, was created in 2016 after co-founder Alejandro Russo was fascinated by the drink served to him at a hotel bar in the Dominican Republic. Intrigued by this elixir’s smooth taste and exotic spice flavors, Russo was surprised to find out that he could not buy this local drink in a bottle and take it back with him. This is how the idea to bring the finest expression of this iconic Dominican drink to the rest of the world came to fruition. “The first time I enjoyed mamajuana in the Dominican Republic, I was blown away by its delicious taste. After learning about its incredible history, I was inspired to learn how to make it so that I could share it with others,” said co-founder Alejandro Russo. “Candela Mamajuana represents more than a drink; it represents an entire culture and centuries worth of history. It’s meant to be enjoyed together in celebrating life.” Enjoyed neat or mixed in specialty cocktails, Candela Mamajuana is known for its smooth sweet taste, rich rosewood and honey aromas and long finish with warming spices. This premium spiced rum is handcrafted in the Dominican Republic with all-natural ingredients and doesn’t contain any artificial colors or flavors. Candela is distilled from fresh-pressed sugarcane juice, then aged in American oak barrels. Today, Candela Mamajuana can be found online and at select retailers throughout Florida, California and New York including Total Wine & More, Costco and Erewhon. It can also be found in its native island of the Dominican Republic at various locations including Hard Rock Hotels, Meliá Hotels, Iberostar Hotels. The spirit is sold in a 750ml bottle and is 30% ABV (60 Proof). The Coquito Kit is exclusively sold online and can be shipped anywhere within the United States. Candela Mamajuana is the finest expression of the Dominican Republic’s legendary spiced rum. Known for its smooth taste of the finest rum, exotic spices, and honey, this spirit is made with all-natural ingredients and distilled from fresh-pressed sugarcane in its native country. https://www.drinkcandela.com
CANE BOTANICAL RUM
Cane Botanical Rum is made from 100% world-sourced natural botanical ingredients, combined with an innovative style of rum distillation. The end result is a new, revolutionary product that is special and unique to the marketplace. They start by fermenting Louisiana cane juice. The process then involves splitting the initial distillation into three individual batches. The batches then go through their own unique processes, including citrus maceration and the inclusion of resting in French Oak to add a hint of spice and smokiness. The final process includes combining a secret blend of spices and botanicals that give Cane Botanical Rum its unique and uncompromising flavor. The three separate batches (the citrus maceration, the oak rested, and the botanical blends) are finally brought back together to produce a world-class rum that is well-rounded and balanced. Their World Sourced Botanicals include Coriander, Cardamom, Grains of Paradise, Orris, Angelica, Rhubarb, Lime, Lemon, Orange, Juniper, Cedar, Kola Nut and Myrrh. Mark Nigbur is the Master Distiller for Cane Botanical Rum and brings a wealth of experience as a Master Distiller and as a pioneer in the micro/craft distilling movement. Mark started distilling in Colorado Springs, CO in 2004 creating Altius Vodka from grain. In 2007 his distilling path led him to Maui, Hawai’i where he distilled vodka from Maui pineapples. He also created Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum for rockstar Sammy Hagar. https://www.canebotanicalrum.com/
SAILOR JERRY and GRILL YOUR ASS OFF
Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum is proud to continue its longstanding history of support for the U.S. military with the launch of Sailor Jerry Ironsides BBQ Sauce. Created in partnership with Texas-based, veteran-owned BBQ business Grill Your Ass Off, 100% of profits from each bottle sold will support veterans. Sailor Jerry Ironsides BBQ Sauce is crafted with Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum to incorporate the bold character of the 92-proof spirit. The result is a smooth and smoky tomato-based sauce that brings the signature Sailor Jerry spice blend to the forefront, finishing with a kick of sweet heat. Fifty percent of profits will go to the veteran-owned business Grill Your Ass Off, while the remaining 50% will benefit The Independence Fund, a 501c3 non-profit committed to restoring the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual independence of our nation’s veterans. The Independence Fund will use the donation to support Operation Resiliency, a program that reunites veterans who served together. The reunions are often conducted through retreats and promote a sense of community while teaching coping skills. “We are longtime fans of Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum and were thrilled when they approached us to collaborate on a BBQ sauce,” said Jason Murff, CEO of Grill Your Ass Off. “We’re proud to have created a versatile sauce that highlights the distinct taste of Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, and prouder yet to do it in a way that supports our veteran community. As a veteran-owned business, we make it a priority to give back to those who have served, and we value Sailor Jerry for sharing this commitment.” “Supporting the veteran community is a significant cause for our brand as we seek to honor the legacy of our namesake, Navy veteran Norman ‘Sailor Jerry’ Collins,” said Mary-Jade Hynes, Brand Manager, Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum. “It was important to us to work with a veteran-owned business to create this product, and we’re delighted to have come together with Jason Murff and his team at Grill Your Ass Off to support the critical work of The Independence Fund, and to make some damn good BBQ sauce.” https://grillyourassoff.com/products/sailor-jerry-ironsides-bbq-sauce
ZACAPA
Zacapa has revealed the third limited edition release for its Heavenly Cask Collection, Zacapa 23 La Armonia – the Harmony Cask. This follows two earlier releases in the collection. The first was Zacapa 23 La Doma – The Taming Cask and the second, El Alma – The Soul Cask. The new release was named to honor the harmony of the blend of rums that have then been further finished in ex-oloroso Sherry casks. This finishing process is said to give the liquid a silky finish. The limited-edition collection has been crafted in Zacapa’s aging facility in Guatemala, the ‘House Above the Clouds’, which is nestled in an array of mountaintops, 7,500 feet above sea level. As reported by Spirits Business, Lorena Vásquez, Master Blender for Zacapa, commented: “We are staunchly proud of the uniqueness and complexity Zacapa 23 offers and The Heavenly Collection allows us to further emphasize this, by additionally aging the liquid and pushing the boundaries with fascinating flavor combinations. La Armonia is a wonderful expression; the effortless rhythm, flavors and fragrances are perfectly balanced and beautiful; with hints of red berries, pecan nuts and all reminiscent of crops that grow lavishly across the Guatemalan landscape.” Ana Mohzo, Global Senior Brand Manager for Diageo comments: “La Armonia is the third of four very special limited-edition bottles from Ron Zacapa; and we’re thrilled to present the latest expression of our Guatemalan roots. Each bottling has truly encapsulated the essence of the magical place where Zacapa is crafted; and we’re very proud that La Armonia is part of the collection. We hope aficionados and collectors of ultra-premium rum enjoy La Armonia as much as we did creating it.” https://www.zacaparum.com/
HAPPY RAPTOR DISTILLING
Happy Raptor will shortly start taking reservations for its seasonal 504King Cake Rum. A seasonal addition to their signature line of handcrafted 504Rums, 504King Cake began as a joke, became a challenge, and ultimately a part of their resilience during the 2021 Mardi Gras season. 504King Cake is only available once a year, for a limited time. Presale will close on January 5, 2023. Bottles will be available for pickup on Epiphany - January 6, 2023. Every batch of 504King Cake begins as a hearty, Caribbean-style white rum distilled from 100% Louisiana molasses. The rum is infused with real pecans, whole spices like cinnamon and vanilla, and hand-cut orange peel for several weeks before being filtered to create the perfect nostalgic warmth of the beloved Mardi Gras necessity - king cake. Every single bottle of 504Rum is handcrafted, bottled, and labeled by hand in New Orleans. 5% of every bottle of 504King Cake sold through Mardi Gras Day will benefit our friends at Sprout NOLA, supporting urban growers and strengthening community food systems throughout New Orleans. Mark Taliancich, Co-Founder, CEO, & Head Distiller, commented “504King Cake is one of our most versatile infusions, and it’s so much fun. On those early parade mornings, we pour hundreds of coffees spiked with 504King Cake to waiting parade-goers for something festive and warm. It’s been fun to see it pop up in carnival-themed baked goods and even king cake fillings every season, too. Most of all, I love to throw it in a simple daiquiri with lemon juice instead of lime. Talk about the spirit of Mardi Gras!” https://www.504rum.com/
THE TIDAL RUM
The Tidal Rum has unveiled Golden Tide, which it claims is the world’s first rum to be distilled at sea. The Jersey-based rum brand is collaborating with P&O Cruises to open the Golden Tide rum distillery onboard its newest ship Arvia, which launches next month. Its creator describes Golden Tide as “an island-inspired liquid that captures the sense of adventure and excitement that the ocean brings”. The rum will be distilled exclusively onboard Arvia while she sails in the Caribbean, with the recipe being recreated on the mainland by The Tidal Rum. The spirit blends flavors of the Caribbean region with marine botanicals from the British Isles “to celebrate togetherness and the enchantment of travels to island shores”. The distillery will be located in Arvia’s Anderson’s Bar, featuring a 50-litre still known as ‘Aurelia’. Aurelia will distill the Golden Tide rum as the ship travels around the Caribbean, with guests able to watch the full distilling process through ceiling-to-floor windows. The finished spirit will then be enjoyed neat or in cocktails at the bars on Arvia and will be sold in the ship’s shops in bottles with a unique gold label, marked with the individual batch number. The Tidal Rum will also recreate the recipe on the mainland with blue-labelled bottles, also available to buy onboard Arvia. In addition, guests will be able to take part in onboard rum experiences including a tasting class and a rum blending class. https://tidalrum.je/ and https://www.pocruises.com.au/
KULEANA RUM WORKS
The people at Kuleana Spirits are farmers, distillers, and blenders. In addition to making one of the finest rum agricoles from fresh-pressed Hawaiian heirloom kō (sugarcane), they search the globe for world-class rums to use in their blends. Their Special Release program is how they share the rarest and remarkable rums as they find them. For their first special release, Jamaica 11, they happened upon a weathered and dusty barrel of Jamaican rum that had been sitting for more than 11 years. The liquid inside was stunningly beautiful: a Jamaican funky hogo transformed over a decade into a super-sipper. There will only be 188 bottles of Jamaica 11 and they will go on sale December 9th at the Kuleana Rum Shack on the island of Hawai’i. https://www.kuleanarum.com/
DESTILERIA SERRALLES
Destilería Serrallés, Inc. (DSI) announced that it has received the important certification “Women Certified Company” (WCC), as an employer that supports the advancement of professional women. “For Destilería Serrallés it is a source of great pride to be able to count on a female workforce that leads with parameters of excellence, equity and inclusion. In an industry mainly dominated by men, our professional women stand out in managerial and professional positions in charge of the production and distribution processes of Puerto Rico’s favorite rum, and this is an achievement that we celebrate with all our employees,” said Philippe Brechot, President and CEO of Destilería Serrallés. At DSI, women hold management positions at various levels, as well as engineers, rum masters, specialists in process engineering and rectification, bottling plant, marketing, administration, distribution and human resources, among other operational areas. The three-month training program included interviews, training workshops, design and implementation of programs within the company to validate diversity, equity and inclusion processes as required by this prestigious certification. It should be noted that the Serrallés Distillery has the Master Rum Maker, Silvia Santiago, who is also Senior Vice President of Manufacturing, and recognized globally for her brilliant career that dates back nearly half a century, guarding excellence in the manufacture of Don Q premium rums. “As leaders in the rum industry in Puerto Rico, we handle very diverse projects for both the local and export markets. The female workforce has played a key role in the success of Serrallés. The evolution of our brands and the growth of the company for more than a century and a half has had a diverse range of talents committed to an excellent execution, of both genders and professional growth in the company has been based on a culture focused in diversity, equity and inclusion”, added Juan José Soltero, director of Human Resources of the distillery. https://donq.com/
