"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
DIAGEO and SANTIAGO de CUBA
Diageo has announced the creation of a joint venture, Ron Santiago S.A., between a European Diageo subsidiary and Corporación Cuba Ron S.A., a leader in the production of premium Cuban rums. The joint venture will have exclusive global distribution rights to Santiago de CubaTM, a premium Cuban heritage rum brand. Globally, premium and above rum segments are growing ahead of the category overall, with premiumization trends driving growth. Over the past four years, premium and above rum retail sales value has grown 12%, whilst overall category growth was 3%. Cuban rum brands account for 9% of the retail sales value of this growing segment globally. The premium plus rum segment in Europe, the key market for development of the Santiago de CubaTM brand, is growing at 16%, ahead of luxury spirits, at 9%. Santiago de CubaTM will join Diageo Europe’s portfolio of Reserve luxury spirits, building on the trend towards premiumization and the cocktail culture, which are driving growth in key cities and resorts across Europe. With four core variants (Carta Blanca, Añejo, 11-year old and 12-year old) Santiago de CubaTM is the second largest premium Cuban rum, renowned for its high quality and provenance in the traditional rum distilling region of Cuba. Dayalan Nayager, Managing Director, Diageo GB, Ireland and France, commented “The joint venture with Corporación Cuba Ron is in keeping with our strategy to invest behind growth opportunities in premium and above brands. Consumers are looking for new and authentic experiences and working with Corporación Cuba Ron provides a great opportunity to expand our portfolio in segments of the rum category whose growth is being driven by premiumization globally and in Europe.” Juan Gonzalez Escalona, President of Corporación Cuba Ron SA, said “We are proud to announce the creation of this joint venture, which will bring the award-winning Santiago de CubaTM to consumers around the world. More than just a rum, Santiago de CubaTM was born in the city where the history and tradition of Cuban light rum originated. It is an expression of its people and part of our Cuban tradition and culture. We are looking forward to working with our partners to build the success of this premium rum outside Cuba.” Unfortunately, the brand will not be distributed in the United States of America. The Diageo group is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. Cuba Ron is a 100% Cuban-owned company, that produces Havana Club, Santiago de CubaTM, Cubay, Isla del Tesoro, and Siglo y ½. Its factories in Santiago de CubaTM, the birthplace of Cuban Light Rum, are renowned for the distillation of traditional, authentic Cuban rum, with a heritage dating back over 150 years. www.diageo.com, www.cubaron.com
PERNOD RICARD & CASTLE BRANDS
Pernod Ricard and Castle Brands Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Pernod Ricard, through a subsidiary, will acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Castle Brands for $1.27 per share in cash, or approximately $223 million, plus the assumption of debt, through a cash tender offer followed by a merger. Under the terms of the merger agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the Castle Brands Board of Directors, Castle Brands shareholders will receive $1.27 in cash for each outstanding share of Castle Brands common stock they own, representing a 92% premium to Castle Brands’ closing share price on August 27, 2019, and a 109% premium to the 30-day volume weighted average share price through such date. Castle Brands is a developer and international marketer of premium and super-premium brands including many whiskeys and Goslings Rum. Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits and holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including Havana Club and Malibu. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019. https://www.pernod-ricard.com, www.castlebrandsinc.com.
BLEEDING HEART RUM COMPANY
Spirit News has reported that Philippine rum, Don Papa, has expanded its portfolio with the launch of a new expression made with Seville oranges. Don Papa Sevillana Cask Finish is the latest limited-edition expression that is made in small batches on the island of Negros in the Philippines. This follows the Sherry Casks Finish, a column-distilled, molasses-based rum, first aged for four years in American Oak ex-Bourbon casks followed by 18 months in four different types of Sherry Casks: Fino, Pedro Ximenez, Cream and Palo Cortado. The rums in these four casks were then blended and then offered for a short period of time in Europe. Non-chill-filtered and bottled at 40% ABV, the new Sevillana cask is a blend of rums aged between 4 and 12 years, distilled from 100% Negros sugarcane. The first maturation is in American Oak ex-Bourbon barrels, which is then followed by three years in two different types of Spanish casks: Oloroso Sherry and Andalusian Vino de Naranja (orange wine) casks. The creation of the Sevillana blend was inspired by the 18th-century Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade, which linked Spain to the Philippines via Mexico. The expression will be available starting October 15th in Harvey Nichols stores in England. Matthias Cadeac D’Arbaud, Don Papa global brand ambassador, said: “Inspired by the oranges of Seville, our latest offering is a unique and wonderful blend of Sherry, oranges and Filipino rum. “Bursting with flavors of fragrant citrus, salted caramel and a subtle hint of oak and with a smooth, long and tangy finish, this premium unfiltered rum is best enjoyed neat as a smooth and refreshing late summer and autumnal sipper.” https://donpaparum.com/
BOUTIQUE-Y RUM COMPANY
Since its launch in October, That Boutique-y Rum Company has become well known for rare bottlings, exclusive blends and limited casks from some of the best rum distilleries worldwide. Now they have introduced the first two permanent expressions in their new Signature Blends range. Rum expert, Peter Holland, known for his The Floating Rum Shack blog, developed these blends with cocktails in mind, but they have also been designed to be sipped neat. Signature Blend #1 is a predominantly unaged blend of rum from Jamaica and Martinique, with a touch of four-year-old Jamaican rum for “added depth of flavor”. The spirit is “bright and grassy, with plenty of ripe tropical fruit and notes of pepper and oak on the finish”. Signature Blend #2 was created with the intention of making Mai Tais. It combines rums from Guyana and Jamaica, resulting in notes of oak, black tea and tobacco, with hints of eucalyptus and dried coconut. Pete Holland told Bar Magazine “When tasked with creating rums that would be predominantly used in cocktails, I firstly had to think of the style of drinks that I’d like to enjoy, then set about working a blend that stood up to my idea of what the cocktail would taste like. I don’t like the idea of trying to balance many different rum styles, a situation that overly complicates things. I much prefer the simplicity of two distinct styles working harmoniously together, each displaying their strengths and contributions to the cocktail.” Selina Raggett, brand manager for That Boutique-y Rum Company told the magazine “The Signature Blends stem from the knowledge and relationships we have developed over the past year, allowing us to create a continuous liquid that still meets the high Boutique-y standards and our 'no BS’ approach to the rum category.” https://thatboutiqueyrumcompany.com/
ROCKSTAR SPIRITS
Rockstar Spirits has secured a five-figure loan to expand the business, following the success of its Two Swallows Rum range, which was recently selected by Coca-Cola as the official partner for its new Signature range of mixers. The two existing rums in the range, Pineapple Grenade and Two Swallows, have already proved popular; Pineapple Grenade sold out on Amazon within an hour after the rum featured on ITV’s This Morning. Rockstar Spirits was established in October 2018 by company owner Tom Hurst. He initially secured a loan of £14,000 from GC Business Finance to set up the company and now he has been granted a second loan, which has enabled the Rockstar to develop two new flavors: Grapefruit Grenade and Two Swallows Cherry, which will be launched this month. Hurst said: “Right now is a very interesting time for spirits. We have seen gin reinvigorated by producers looking to please a more discerning audience which has paid off massively. Now I believe is the time for rum to undergo the same transition. Our Coca-Cola partnership shows that the appetite for our upmarket rums is growing, and with the help of this latest loan we will be able to make a bigger impact on the growing sector. “We have established an excellent relationship with the team at GC Business Finance, who have supported Rockstar Spirits right from the get-go. We are looking forward to working with them and hitting our target of releasing the next two flavors with use of this loan.” https://www.rockstarspirits.co.uk/
RHUM JM
SPIRIBAM Fine Rum Specialists recently announced the upcoming release of a 110-proof expression of its Rhum J.M White Rhum Agricole. The new product, Rhum J.M Blanc 55%, will satiate a demand led by a popular surge in premium craft and high-proof spirits. Since 1845, Rhum J.M has been regarded as one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious rum distilleries. The brand’s line of expressions is renowned by some of the finest cocktail bars in the world, and they are used as a core ingredient in some of the world’s most innovative cocktails. This 110-proof expression will be bottled in liters, offering an additional advantage for buyers, and will be complementary to Rhum J.M’s already established line of white rhums, which includes Rhum J.M Blanc at 80 proof and 100 proof respectively. “This is a long-awaited moment for the U.S. rum market. Not only is Rhum J.M a gorgeous and beloved rhum amongst the bartending community, but this release fills a void in the over-proof Martinique Rhum Agricole category that has since been embraced,” explains Kiowa Bryan, Marketing Director of SPIRIBAM, the brand’s U.S. importer. Produced at the foot of Martinique’s volcanic Mount Pelée, rhum drinkers can expect the typical notes of ripe tropical fruit, accompanied by a heavy minerality and touch of salinity. Rhum J.M Blanc 110 proof couldn’t be more perfect for the traditional Martinique cocktail, the Ti’ Punch, which offers a strong rhum flavor, a dash of sweet (sugarcane syrup), and a bit of sour, balanced with a touch of citrus oil (squeeze of fresh lime zest and juice). Rhum J.M 55% will be launched across the United States from July 2019 at an approximate retail price of $36.99 per liter. Customers across the country (with the exception of those from AL, IL, KY, MI, MS, NH, SD, and UT) will be able to order the product and have it conveniently shipped directly. Established in 1845 by Jean-Marie Martin, Rhum J.M, for nearly two centuries, has displayed raw talent and craftsmanship through its portfolio of Rhum Agricole. As one of the smaller producers of Rhum Agricole, the components of Rhum J.M come from around the distillery and the people that work there. From the breezy volcanic sugarcane fields to the humid, salty aging environment to the estate’s mineral spring water used in the rhum, it is the place where Rhum J.M is made that is the signature of the rhum’s quality. www.rhumjmusa.com.
VIRAGO SPIRITS
So far, Virago Spirits has won Gold Medals at the 2019 SIP Awards, Double Gold at the 2019 American Distilling Institute (ADI) Judging of Craft Spirits, Platinum – Best of Show at the 2019 World Beverage Competition and Rum of the Year at the 2019 London Spirits Competition. Virago Four-Port Rum is a distinct blend of pot- and column-distilled rums from four 'ports’ across the Caribbean: Barbados (8-year-old rum, pot and column distilled); Jamaica (4-year-old rum, pot distilled); Nicaragua (5-8-year-old rum, column distilled) and Panama (6-year-old rum, column distilled). A premium, aged blend, Virago Four-Port Rum harmoniously balances the bold spice and earthy funk of British-style rums with the softer, more seductive profile of Spanish-style rums. Their Ruby Port Cask Finished Rum is the first in a series of cask-finished products. This expression of Virago offers an intriguingly delicious re-interpretation of their flagship Four-Port Rum. Having spent months in freshly-emptied casks of ruby port from Portugal’s Douro Valley, this spirit exudes an earthy depth, featuring layered notes of campfire, brown sugar, black cherry, pipe tobacco and leather with a finishing hint of candied almond. While these rum blends are garnishing awards, Distillers Brad Haneberg and Barry Haneberg are hard at work back at the Virago distillery, using a vintage, direct-fired 2,500-liter Charentais-style alembic still, one of only a few operating in the United States, to create their own spirits. The process is laborious and slow and requires significant patience, skill and attention-to-detail. The results, however, are spirits and liqueurs of uncompromising quality, balance and depth of flavor. Direct-fire adds layers of depth and complexity of flavor, much as with grilled food. Distilling “Low and Slow”, where a single distillation can take upward of 12 hours and a complete distillation cycle (three 'broullis’ distillations + one 'bon chauffe’ distillation) requires upwards of 48 hours, maximizes their ability to separate out the crude portions of the distillate and to concentrate flavor. Glycol-chilled water cooling allows for precise control over the temperature of the final distillate, providing for a smoother, more aromatic product. https://www.viragospirits.com
CARIBBEAN RUM & FOOD FESTIVAL – BOSTON
Mixes, Cocktails and renowned Caribbean rum & food will be served at the 3rd staging of the “Caribbean Rum & Food Festival”. This celebratory event will be held at Reggie Lewis Center, 1350 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, Saturday, September 14, 2019 - 12:00pm to 3:00pm and 4:00pm to 8:00pm. The event will highlight another Caribbean segment, rum, rhythm and food, to an exciting new feel in Boston, Massachusetts. Patrons will be given a virtual journey through the Caribbean, as they experience the culinary diversity, live entertainment and the spirits of each Caribbean country. Enjoy the great sampling a variety of Caribbean rum and cocktails. http://caribbeanrumfoodfestival.com/
DIABLESSE RUM
LA DIABLESSE is a dark, ancient, mythical temptress of Caribbean Folklore. Glimpsed only by moonlight, she entices and captivates all those who cross her path. DIABLESSE RUM was born out of a love for the Caribbean and a yearning to do something different with this unique spirit. Diablesse is an independent, Manchester, England based company whose ethos is to bring quality, authentic rums to our shores, blending pure rums, to give new, undiscovered & delicious flavor profiles. Their first product, Caribbean Golden Rum, is a blend of 8 year old Barbados Rum from the Four Square Distillery, 2 year old Guyanese Demerara rum, distilled on the 130 year old Enmore wooden Coffey still at the Diamond Distillery and 4 year old Jamaican rum from the Worth Park Estate. Their newest rum is Diablesse Clementine Spiced Rum, a unique blend of Demerara rum from the Diamond Distillery in Guyana, which has been flavored naturally with Clementine, Clove, Star Anise, Cinnamon, Vanilla Pod, Ginger and Pimento. www.diablesserum.co.uk
THE TOP TEN BEST RUMS TO DRINK NOW
It seems that many magazines today are eager to share their ”Best Rum List”. It is interesting to see how they compare. For example, if you read Esquire, your list of the Top Ten distilleries/blenders would include Mount Gay, The Real McCoy, Appleton Estate, Plantation, Bacardi Facundo, Diplomatico, Santa Teresa, Don Q, Goslings and Privateer. If you are a Cosmopolitan reader, your given a more precise list of the Top Ten rums: Brugal Añejo, Malibu Original Coconut, Plantation Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple, Bacardi Superior, Cruzan Estate Diamond Light, Sailor Jerry Spiced, Flor de Caña 18, Mount Gay 1703, Goslings Bermuda Black and Diplomatico Exclusiva. If you read the more exclusive Robb Report, they narrow it down even finer with their list of Top Five rums: Flor de Caña V Generaciones, Bumbu XO, Ten to One, Diplomatico No. 3 Pot Still Rum and Admiral Rodney HMS Formidable. https://www.esquire.com, , https://www.cosmopolitan.com, https://robbreport.com
A RUM TALE – SPIRIT OF THE NEW WORLD
Not to be confused with the Procol Harum song, A Rum Tale is a new book from Joseph Piercy published by The History Press. It is 5 x 7 inches and has 191 pages. This is not your typical color-picture rum book; it is more an enjoyable rum history class. Steeped in a long, diverse history, rum is a spirit that has meaning in cultures across the globe, from its home in the Caribbean and Barbados, through the ranks of the Royal Navy, to the Australian rum rebellion. Here Joseph Piercy delves into the rich history of rum, from the invasion of the Caribbean to the real pirates of the Caribbean who gave use some of our best-known brands of rum today, such as Henry “Captain” Morgan. He explores the legend of Nelson’s blood (whose body was said to be stored in a rum barrel for transport) and the rum-running of U.S. Prohibition, which stoked the Bacardi family’s rise to fame and fortune. As it experiences a long-overdue resurgence in popularity, alongside a fascinating history, Piercy shares his experience of this versatile spirit, listing rums not to miss and delicious rum-based cocktails you can try at home. This is a fun little book that makes an enjoyable read at the beach or a long plane ride. The book is currently available from Amazon UK and will be available from the Amazon US in November. Mr. Piercy has written several books about the English language, as well as an earlier drink book called Slippery Tipples: A Guide to Weird and Wonderful Spirits and Liqueurs.
