Rum in the News
KOLOA RUM
Award-winning Koloa Rum Company launched their Sparkling Hawaiian Rum Canned Cocktails, its latest ready-to-drink product line. Ideal for summer cocktails on-the-go, the new product complements Koloa Rum’s existing broad portfolio, keeping in step with the company’s ongoing development of products that capture a wide-ranging appeal. “Over the past four years, we have watched the rising popularity of canned cocktails in the market, and we recognize that this is the opportune time for Koloa Rum to enter this product category,” said Bob Gunter, Koloa Rum Company’s President and CEO. “We’re proud to first introduce it to our Hawaii ohana as a way to show our appreciation for years of endless support.” Koloa’s canned cocktails feature all-natural Hawaiian flavors blended with premium Kauai White Rum, which is made from pure cane sugar and rainwater from Mount Waialeale. The distinctively pure, clean, and smooth taste of Kauai White Rum makes for a perfect foundation for these tropical-flavored cocktails. The canned beverages come in a variety of four Hawaiian-inspired flavors (Guava, Pineapple, Mango and Coconut) and packaged in a convenient four-pack of 355 mL cans. In the 2022 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, each flavor scored above 90 with Mango awarded a Chairman’s Trophy and listed among the top 100 spirits. “Koloa Rum is known for products of utmost quality and taste. Our new canned cocktails are no exception. For more than 12 years, we have developed a loyal customer base that we believe will instantly recognize our brand and eagerly embrace these new products,” added Gunter. Light, bubbly, and refreshing, Koloa canned cocktails are suitable for any occasion. The canned cocktails are currently available in Hawaii, Texas, Illinois, Colorado, Arizona and Nevada and will later be distributed in additional markets. https://koloarum.com/
BACARDI
Bacardi has expanded its pioneering TAILS® COCKTAILS PROFESSIONAL range with new cocktails and a new look, available now for the hospitality industry across Western Europe. The premium batched cocktail brand offers the on-trade a hassle-free solution for serving quality cocktails easily, quickly and consistently at scale. Serving a TAILS cocktail takes as little as 15 seconds, and no specialist training is required. The expanded range of classic and contemporary cocktails, all crafted using the Bacardi portfolio of premium brands has two new additions; the Whisky Sour, made with DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky; and the Rum Punch, made with BACARDĺ rum. Thousands of outlets across Europe are already enjoying a new revenue stream by serving TAILS COCKTAILS PROFESSIONAL, and this year Bacardi is planning to more than double that number. The momentum is huge. With the new flavors, Bacardi is catering for even more tastes and occasions, from summer terraces to cozy winter bars, offering an exciting opportunity for the hospitality industry to tap into the growing demand for cocktails. Expanded range also includes the Passion Fruit Martini Cocktail and Espresso Martini Cocktail, both made with 42BELOW® vodka; the Gin Garden Cocktail made with BOMBAY® Dry gin and ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur; and the Classic Mojito and Berry Mojito, both made with BACARDĺ rum. As well as the new-look 1L bottles, there are also three TAILS COCKTAILS PROFESSIONAL 20L kegs, the Passion Fruit Spritz made with 42BELOW® vodka, and the Classic Mojito and Caribbean Punch, both made with BACARDÍ rum, rolling out this summer, allowing outlets to serve cocktails on draught for even quicker, easier service. With a full live music and events line-up back in Europe this year, Bacardi will also bring high quality cocktails to festivals at scale, with TAILS COCKTAILS PROFESSIONAL at more than 20 of the biggest festivals across the UK, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands. The range sits alongside the company’s recent launch of TAILS COCKTAILS, which takes TAILS into the off-trade for the first time, pioneering a new ‘ready-to-shake’ category within cocktails-at-home. https://www.bacardilimited.com/
THE KRAKEN
The Kraken Rum announced its entry into the ready-to-drink (RTD) category with the release of three new canned cocktails. With the US RTD market expected to continue to expand at a compound annual growth rate of more than 13% until 2031, Kraken is leaning into the category to offer consumers a convenient option to bring their rum cocktails wherever they explore this summer. “As the demand for ready-to-drink beverages continues to boom and category growth rises, we’re eager and thrilled to introduce a new and convenient way for consumers to enjoy their favorite rum cocktails in three carefully curated flavors,” said Lander Otegui, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Proximo Spirits. “As one of the only dark rum-based RTD offerings on the shelves, our Kraken Rum cocktails offer an unexpected way to add a little extra fun to your summer plans whether you’re sipping at home or on an adventure at sea.” Named for the sea beast of myth and legend, Kraken is celebrating its newly released ready-to-drink cocktails by giving rum drinkers a chance to win a squid spotting expedition around the island of Roatan in Isa Guadalupe. To enter the Krak Open Summer Sweepstakes and a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to spot a real-life kraken, visit www.KrakOpensSummer.com.
Kraken’s new ready-made cocktails are available in three popular rum taste profiles:
• Kraken & Cola: Balanced cola spices and spiced rum upfront with light citrus on the nose. Rich vanilla and caramel undertones. Finishes with toasted oak and sugarcane.
• Kraken & Ginger Beer: Candied ginger and honey on the nose. Woody, spicy ginger starts upfront and lasts throughout. Finishes vanilla with subtle tropical fruit and brown sugar.
• Kraken Rum Punch: Balanced pineapple, cherry, and citrus on the nose. Tropical pineapple upfront with juiced limes throughout with building maraschino and sunburst orange. Finishes ripe mango and citrus peel.
AS IT IS TOLD, The Kraken Black Spiced Rum is an imported rum from the Caribbean blended with secret spices. Named for the sea beast of myth and legend, The Kraken Black Spiced Rum is bold, rich, black, and smooth. AS THEY SAY, “To not respect the power of the Kraken is to not respect the sea.” So, drink with respect. https://www.krakenrum.com/#
MOUNT GAY
Mount Gay invites cocktail enthusiasts to make time for taste this summer by exploring and savoring the distinct flavors of Mount Gay and celebrating moments worth taking time for. Known for its rich, complex tasting notes imparted by its unique maturation process, Mount Gay brings the essence of summer flavor to the forefront with a new limited-edition “Summer Taste Essentials” kit in partnership with Cocktail Courier. Curated by ‘Next Level Chef’ and TV Personality Richard Blais, the kit encourages pleasure-seekers to spend the season savoring delicious flavors and elevating memorable occasions. “Working with Mount Gay to encourage others to explore and savor the flavors of the season is something I am really excited to be a part of,” said Blais. “With boundless ways to interpret taste, the kit provides cocktail enthusiasts with a way to experience the essence of summer and pairing refreshing cocktails with savory summer grilling staples is the perfect way to discover new flavor combinations.” Made in Barbados, the birthplace of rum, Mount Gay is a champion of great tasting rum. Mount Gay utilizes a variety of casks during the maturation process, such as ex-American Whiskey, Bourbon, and Cognac casks. This process, coupled with its island roots and tropical climate, provide every bottle with a wide depth of flavor and distinct tasting notes. Mount Gay Black Barrel for example, which is featured in the “Summer Taste Essentials” kit, is double aged in ex-American Whiskey and Bourbon casks, creating a bold and robust expression with notes of toasted vanilla, toffee, and orange zest. “Our Mount Gay Black Barrel expression is a wonderfully versatile rum to feature on your home bar,” noted Trudiann Branker, Master Blender at Mount Gay. “Robust and bold, Black Barrel is beautiful on its own and incredible in craft cocktails, showcasing its rich and full-bodied notes.” In addition to crafting the world’s oldest rum, Mount Gay is committed at all times to the use of sustainable and transparent practices in order to realize our vision of environmental stewardship and carbon neutrality. https://www.cocktailcourier.com/, https://www.mountgayrum.com/
OTHERLAND SOCIETY
New premium spirits brand Otherland Society celebrates the mystique of Florida’s natural resources and exceptional culinary and beverage culture with the debut of Wild Hare Dark Rum crafted by legendary Master Distiller Marianne Eaves. Otherland Society’s inaugural sugarcane artisan spirit premiered at the Michelin Guide revelation event in Orlando, where Florida’s first Michelin Stars were awarded for excellence in culinary achievement.” Otherland Society was created to honor our agrarian heritage in South Florida and help uplift the local economy of the Everglades,” said the brand’s co-founder Donia Roberts, whose family has farmed the uniquely fertile area of South Florida on the shores of Lake Okeechobee for three generations. “Like Michelin, we share a strong commitment to protecting and preserving the gifts of the land and recognizing the people who make this region so special. It’s an honor for Otherland Society to serve as the preferred rum partner for the first Michelin Guide in Florida.” The team behind female-owned Otherland Society enlisted Kentucky’s first female Master Distiller, Marianne Eaves, to design Wild Hare Dark Rum. The new high-end, hand-crafted sipping spirit captures the essence of the beautiful yet unrelenting land of the Everglades, which is like no other. “Wild Hare Dark Rum is a marriage of 8-year-old South American, and 10-year-old Caribbean rums aged in Ex-American White Oak Whiskey Casks. With sweet spices and vanilla oak character on the aroma, tropical fruit on the front of the palate, and smooth lingering spiced notes of coffee and vanilla, balanced with sweet berries, the result is a rich, dark spirit comparable to the best rums on the market,” said Eaves, on her curation of this rum project. Strengthening an Underserved Community, Roberts and her investment partners will soon begin work to build a distillery and bottling distribution facility in the Pahokee, Florida, area using local talent and product and providing a catalyst for job creation. An intermediate to long-term vision for the Otherland Society brand is to stimulate redevelopment and revitalize the downtown business district of Pahokee. “Our vision for Otherland Society is to reinvest in the community, celebrate our heritage, protect our natural resources and provide a new source of income for the people who call this area home,” said Roberts. “Launching Wild Hare Dark Rum is the first step in elevating these opportunities for business and development.” www.otherlandsociety.com
SELVAREY, BAHA MAR and BRUNO MARS
Baha Mar, the leading resort destination in The Bahamas, announced a brand partnership with SelvaRey Rum, naming the brand a premier partner for the Caribbean’s luxury of choice hotel. The partnership presents SelvaRey as the elevated option for rum cocktails with special beverage offerings available throughout the property, curated branded experiences, and new and exciting event activations all set against the luxurious backdrop of Baha Mar. To launch the partnership, SelvaRey will take over Privilege, SLS Baha Mar’s upscale adult-only pool, on Labor Day weekend with a series of Piña Colada Pool Party events including guest DJ performances and a flagship day party hosted by SelvaRey Rum co-owner Bruno Mars featuring a special DJ set by DJ Pee .Wee (Anderson .Paak) on Sunday September 4th. Distilled in the jungles of Latin America by a legendary Master Blender, SelvaRey (which loosely translates to “King of the Jungle”) is favored as one of the most awarded spirits on the market. Fine enough to sip on the rocks or enhance any cocktail, SelvaRey includes a portfolio of four expressions, including White Rum, Chocolate Rum, Coconut Rum, and the Owner’s Reserve; a rare blend of aged rums hand selected from the most prestigious casks. “The quality and diverse portfolio of SelvaRey’s products matches our luxury of choice positioning, and we’re looking forward to welcoming guests with tropical and elevated beverage options, further enhancing the Baha Mar experience,” said Graeme Davis, President of Baha Mar. “Tropical Luxury is what SelvaRey is all about and I couldn’t think of a better partner to bring that experience to life than Baha Mar,” added Bruno Mars. SelvaRey is a collection of the finest, sustainable, single-estate rums crafted in the jungles of Panama by world renowned Maestro Ronero Francisco “Don Pancho” Fernandez. Each variant boasts a luxuriously smooth and distinctively balanced character. From harvesting the sugarcane and pressing the juice to the distillation and blending, the rums adhere to the highest quality standard and represent the intense passion and commitment to craft from the people behind the spirit. www.BahaMar.com www.SelvaRey.com
WRAY & NEPHEW
The fourth annual staging of the Jamaica Rum Festival presented by Appleton Estate in partnership with the Jamaica Tourist Board and the Tourism Enhancement Fund is the must-attend event of the summer for visitors and locals alike. Slated for Saturday, July 25, at the Aqueduct, Rose Hall in the island’s tourism capital of Montego Bay, the Festival promises to explore the rich culture and heritage of Jamaican rums. Live demonstrations, seminars and a live reggae concert are set to create memories to last a lifetime. One of Jamaica’s most beloved rums will hold a place of pride, and this is none other than Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum. Beloved in every parish across the island, Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum is as Jamaican as Reggae and Dancehall - both of which have captured the heart of the world. Similarly, Wray Rum as it is often called, has captured the hearts of Jamaica and all of the region with its clean, unique taste and a signature strength for which it is praised. Birthed in the 17th century, rum is the product of molasses and yeast from colonial-era sugar production, reborn into a substance not only drinkable but bearing many purposes that are utilized to this day. While historically, some records show that rum was discovered in Barbados, it was without a doubt that Jamaica elevated the refining process. This has seen Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum become the best-selling white overproof rum in the region. Though a long way from 17th century Jamaica, the island’s connection to Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum is a solid one, with the iconic brand interwoven in its DNA. Rum enthusiasts as well as casual drinkers enjoy it straight, iced and tamed with chasers such as grapefruit soda, pineapple juice, cola - virtually any beverage of choice owing to the versatility of the liquid. Many believe this stark clear spirit enhances every experience. But the Jamaican connection with Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum goes far beyond sampling a great tasting light-bodied spirit. Wray Rum, over the years, has set deep roots in Jamaican culture. It is one of those brands which connects with the heart and soul of the people effortlessly and authentically in a truly organic way. It is a rum that embodies the strength and resilience of the Jamaican people through its green, black and yellow packaging which has remained unchanged since its introduction to the market. Constantly in search of a sense of belonging as people, Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum is the cord that connects. It is well documented that even Jamaicans who are not alcohol drinkers still use this rum in their everyday lives for a myriad of reasons, a testament to the impact the rum has had on the country for countless years. In virtually every Jamaican home whether “ah yaad, or abroad”, there to be found is a bottle of the ‘whites’. Some will not shy away from testifying to the effectiveness of the white rum when used for varying purposes shrouded in tradition and folklore. But there are even more creative uses for this rum as the innovative spirit of Jamaicans have introduced over the years. Of course, one source of this innovativeness is in the kitchen. A splash of Wray Rum straight from the bottle (it’s no good otherwise) elevates Jamaican staples like Cow Cod Soup, Curry Goat, Fish Tea, and Mannish Water. Not to mention the age-old tradition of soaking fruits in the rum for annual Christmas cakes and puddings for months and often years. When that jar is opened, it releases a strong whiff of the unmistakable aroma, a promise of the delicacies to come. Sorrel is never, ever, complete without a healthy portion of Wray Rum to accompany the belly-fulls of laughter and togetherness throughout the festive season. And this translates to community bars. Fiery debates with Wray Rum in hand on everything from politics, religion, and the latest news are interrupted only by slaps of dominos on a table, explosions of laughter or a goal scored from a football match on TV. Wray Rum is a symbol of camaraderie, creating epicenters of togetherness and belonging. With its long-standing history securing it in the heart of the people, Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum was aptly announced to be the Official Spirit of Jamaica’s 60th Anniversary of Independence. It’s safe to say this spirit will continue to play a monumental role in Jamaican culture for many more years to come among the people who have known this brand and its distinct flavor for longer than they can remember. Here’s to an authentic culture and the resilient spirit of the Jamaican people. Above all else, here’s to a future equally if not more resilient, celebrated to the fullest with a cup of something authentically Jamaican, Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum. Purchase your tickets to the Jamaica Rum Festival at https://jamaicarumfestival.com/tickets/ , https://appletonestate.com/
HOLMES CAY RUM and EVERGREEN BEVERAGE CANADA
Holmes Cay Rum, the US-based, independent importer of exceptional limited edition and single cask rums, announced a new partnership with Evergreen Beverage Canada, a national wine, beer, and spirits distribution company based in Toronto, Ontario. An array of Holmes Cay limited editions will be available to start, including the following single cask expressions: Jamaica Wedderburn 2011, Guyana Uitvlugt 2003, Fiji 2004 17-Year, South Africa Mhoba 2017, and the San Francisco World Spirits gold-medal winner, Barbados 2012 Port Cask. Also available is the Single Origin Fiji Rum, a limited-edition blend of pot and column still molasses rum from the Holmes Cay Single Origin Rum line, intended for mixing in cocktails or sipping. These uncommon and delicious rums are now available in the Alberta market, which ships throughout Canada. Special barrel selections and other limited releases will also be available in the future. “We are looking forward to sharing our curated rum finds with fans in Canada,” said Holmes Cay Rum founder, Eric Kaye. “We initially founded Holmes Cay to bring exciting and rare rums to the United States, but soon discovered that Canadians were equally starved for these rare expressions, previously unavailable in Canada. With more progressive liquor regulations and an eager market for imported rum, Alberta seemed like the best option for Holmes Cay.” President of Evergreen Beverage Canada, Trace Hanlon, said, “We focus on bringing Canadian consumers the best new products of outstanding quality. Holmes Cay allows us to continue this practice by offering their curated selection of rare and highly sought-after rum.” Holmes Cay will be available at select retailers in Alberta Canada later this month. Holmes Cay (pronounced ‘key’) Rum curates a continuously evolving collection of the best small-batch, limited-edition rums, distilled and bottled without additives. Single Cask editions are aged in cask, while Single Origin editions combine multiple casks and production styles to create exciting expressions from a given distillery or region. Evergreen Beverage Canada Inc. is a licensed beverage alcohol agent in the province of Ontario and a licensed beverage alcohol distributor in Alberta. Since 2006 the company has represented local and imported producers of premium wines, beers, ready-to-drink, cider, and spirits. https://www.holmescay.com, https://evergreenbev.ca/
