rum in The news

by mike Kunetka

These are the most recent and noteworthy headlines in the rum industry. if you want us to share your news with our readers, please send me an email to: mike@gotrum.com.

Bayou RuM and the nEW oRlEanS SainTS

Bayou rum has become the official rum of the new orleans saints, super Bowl xliv champions. This collaboration brings together the best of the nFl and the best of craft spirits to deliver an exceptional experience for the fans. starting with the 2022 season the multi-year agreement will bring Bayou rum, louisiana’s quintessential craft rum, to the saints nation. The partnership celebrates the finest of the south and showcases the spirit and the pride of louisiana. starting with pre-season, Bayou rum will be featured at saints superdome concession bars, mobile bars and suites. The suite menus will include Bayou rum xo, single Barrel, reserve, white and spiced. Bayou rum. The Bayou-saints partnership will also be promoted at retail locations, bars and restaurants across the state of louisiana and beyond. The Bayou-saints partnership will also be celebrated with a Bayou xo saints limited edition release of only 5,000 bottles that will be available nationwide starting in october. Bayou xo has won gold medals at major spirits competitions and recently earned a 95 rating from The Tasting Panel magazine. Additionally, saints will handpick a Bayou rum single Barrel at the distillery and receive a private bottling of that cask. “we are thrilled that Bayou rum, our louisiana-made, handcrafted rum, was selected to represent the best

of the state,” says damian mcKinney, Ceo of stoli group. “like The new orleans saints, we live and breathe louisiana pride. we look forward to delivering the ultimate experience for fans at superdome, across louisiana, and beyond.” Bayou rum’s passion for bringing back the art of American rum-making is only matched by nFl fans’ passion for the game they love, American football. Bayou® rum is crafted with locally grown fresh sugarcane molasses, distilled twice in copper pot stills, and aged in bourbon and sherry casks at its craft distillery in lacassine, louisiana. “we are excited to partner with Bayou rum on this unique and first of its kind offering for our fans,” said President of the new orleans saints dennis lauscha. “Bayou rum is passionate about bringing back the art of American rum, thinking creatively and enhancing the quality of our fans’ gameday experience.” Bayou rum is crafted with locally grown fresh sugarcane molasses, distilled twice in copper pot stills, and aged in bourbon and sherry casks at its craft distillery in lacassine, louisiana. https://bayourum.com/, https:// www.neworleanssaints.com/

RuMhaVEn and SEWing DoWn SouTh

spirit of gallo’s rumhaven announced an exciting new partnership with southern Charm star and sewing down south co-founder, Craig Conover. To help home enthusiasts experience a more blissful living experience, rumhaven and sewing down south are releasing a limited-edition capsule ‘Coconut Collection’ that will transform any home into a tropical paradise. with increased time spent at home, the desire to turn personal spaces into a relaxing retreat has surged. The Coconut Collection from rumhaven by sewing down south was born out of the idea that everyone should feel inspired to find a piece of paradise in the comfort of their home. no travel needed. The collection, available for only a limited time, consists of three products in a custom, never before seen tropical print inspired by one of rumhaven’s key ingredients, real coconut water. The Tropical Throw Pillow is made with a substantial twill-like woven fabric. This pillow print marries rumhaven’s tropical vibe with sewing down south’s coastal aesthetic. The Coconut Candle is a soy and hand-poured candle that will send you straight to paradise with its smooth, sweet smells of coconut. no oasis is complete without a refreshing drink! The Cocktail Coaster set is adorned with the limitededition design will keep your table watermark-free. “we believe in the importance of making space for naturally rejuvenating moments in the comfort of one’s home,” says Brandon lieb, vP of marketing for spirit of gallo. “our partnership with sewing down south has allowed us to physically bring this to life for our fans through the items in the collection, which will help them transform their homes into the haven they’ve always dreamed of, all while enjoying a rumhaven cocktail.” “sewing and design have always been a point of inspiration and a way for me to decompress,” says sewing down south cofounder, Craig Conover. “That’s why i’m so excited to partner with rumhaven to create a collection with the intent to help others decompress and create a relaxing, natural-inspired space.” rumhaven is an uncomplicated spirit made with premium Caribbean rum, real coconut water and pure cane sugar offering a clean and refreshing taste without artificial flavors or preservatives, bottled at 42 proof. rumhaven is part of spirit of gallo, an award-winning spirits portfolio that includes e&J Brandy, Camarena Tequila, high noon, new Amsterdam vodka, rumChata and more. sewing down south was founded by Craig Conover, the star of Bravo’s hit reality Tv show, southern Charm. sewing has been a point of inspiration, an outlet for creativity, a method to decompress, and a way to stay true to himself. Craig carefully handpicks the patterns and designs, taking inspiration from Charleston, the coastal city in which the brand was founded. https://www.rumhaven.com/, https://www. sewingdownsouth.com/

floR de cana and TalES of the cocKTail founDaTion

Flor de Caña rum and the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation have teamed up to launch the sustainable Cocktail Challenge, a global competition that aims to inspire the bartending community to build a greener future together by creating spectacular cocktails using sustainable ingredients and techniques. Julio Cabrera, one of the industry’s most celebrated and influential bartenders, announced the competition at the 20th annual Tales of the Cocktail. Cabrera invited bartenders in the u.s. to register for the competition. All participants who register will have access to educational material focused on sustainable and ethical practices behind the bar, developed by industry experts. The sustainable Cocktail Challenge u.s. finals will occur throughout the month of september in miami, Austin, los Angeles, and Boston. each final will feature a panel of judges including representatives of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation and other established industry personalities who will evaluate the cocktails based on elements such as story and inspiration, the use of sustainable ingredients/techniques and the level of creativity, and flavor and appearance. The four winners of the local u.s. finals of the sustainable Cocktail Challenge will each receive a $1,200 prize, a super-premium bartender kit, a personalized bottle of Flor de Caña 25 Year rum, and the opportunity to participate in the north American regional Final that will take place in nicaragua on october 26th, world sustainability day. Furthermore, the winner of the north American regional Final will then be eligible to compete in the global Final of the sustainable Cocktail Challenge in nicaragua in 2023 for the title of “Flor de Caña world’s most sustainable Bartender” and a grand prize of $10,000. The sustainable Cocktail Challenge is a celebration of the commitment to sustainability of Flor de Caña, a carbon neutral and Fair Trade certified brand, the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, and their way of collaboratively sharing and promoting these values with the global community of bartenders to build a greener future together. Celebrating 130 years of rum production, Flor de Caña is a 5th generation familyowned premium nicaraguan rum brand that offers a full portfolio of award-winning high quality, naturally aged rums. Flor de Caña rums are distilled using 100% renewable energy and aged in bourbon barrels for up to 30 years at the base of nicaragua’s most active volcano, san Cristobal. Founded in 2002, Tales of the Cocktail has grown from a small gathering of cocktail

lovers into the world’s premier cocktail festival. each year the international spirits industry is welcomed to new orleans for a week of seminars, tastings, networking events and much more. with 300+ annual events developed specifically for bartenders, distillers and other spirits professionals, Tales of the Cocktail is the industry’s annual meeting place for the exchange of new ideas, products, and techniques https:// flordecana.com/ https://talesofthecocktail.org/, https:// flordecanachallenge.com/

PRonghoRn and TEn To onE RuM

Pronghorn has announced its investment in Ten To one, the award-winning Caribbean rum brand founded by Ceo marc Farrell and co-owned by grAmmYwinning artist, Ciara. Pronghorn will make a capital investment in the brand and will provide access to its supercharging services, designed to help Ten To one scale its business. According to Pronghorn, less than 1% of spirits brand acquisitions in the u.s have been Black owned. To generate wealth and drive acquisitions, Pronghorn will serve as a hybrid incubator and accelerator, making capital investments in Black owned brands, while also providing capabilities that allow brands to leverage industryleading knowledge and resources to realize their brand’s ambitions. “Pronghorn’s goal is to cultivate the next generation of Black entrepreneurs, executive leaders, and founders within the spirits industry. we are thrilled to kick off the first of 57 investments in Black-owned spirits brands that will be made over the next ten years with Ten To one rum,” said erin harris, Co-Founder, Pronghorn. “diverse representation in entrepreneurship will drive innovation, and Ten To one is a leading example of that through its continued reimagination of the rum category.” Awardwinning Ten To one Caribbean rum was founded in 2019 by entrepreneur and former starbucks senior vice President, marc Farrell. Through his creation, Farrell hopes to elevate the experience of consuming Caribbean rum and highlight its versatility. The name Ten To one comes from a quote from dr. eric williams, Trinidad and Tobago’s first Prime minister when discussing the first Caribbean federation of 10 countries, who said “one from ten leaves zero”, conveying the idea that we are stronger together than apart. “Pronghorn’s team are spirits industry gamechangers,” said Ciara, Co-owner, Ten To one. “it’s rewarding to see these creative minds rally around a brand and a mission that i am so passionate about and enable a path to excellence that uplifts and supports Black entrepreneurs.” To commemorate the investment, grammy-award winning artist, and cofounder of Ten To one Caribbean rum, Ciara joined Ceo marc Farrell at an intimate event at the gathering spot, a private members only club in los Angeles on August 18th. The duo toasted the big announcement alongside Pronghorn co-founders dia simms, erin harris, and dan sanborn while guests enjoyed Ten To one cocktails, beats by dJ mos and inspiring conversations Pronghorn is focused on cultivating the next generation of Black entrepreneurs, executive leaders, and founders within the spirits industry. Through sustainable capital investments, incubation, and recruitment programs, Pronghorn removes barriers and grants access to critical resources that empowers untapped talent and emerging Black businesses to reach their full potential. The company was co-founded by spirits industry veterans dia simms, erin harris, and dan sanborn. The pronghorn is the fastest north American land mammal and can endure speeds for miles. inspired by our namesake, Pronghorn believes creating real change is a marathon, not a sprint. launched in new York by proud Trinidadian marcKwesi Farrell in the summer of 2019, Ten to one is a range of ultra-premium Caribbean rums designed to challenge expectations and change the way people taste, experience, and talk about rum. in october 2021, it was announced that r&B singer-songwriter Ciara would join Ten to one as an investor, co-owner, and director. https://www.tentoonerum.com/ www. pronghorn.co

holMES cay

holmes Cay rum is launching a fall collection of four limited edition strength rums aged from 8 to 16 years. These barrels are selected for excellence within their flavor categories to showcase the diversity of rum distillers from around the world. said holmes Cay founder eric Kaye, “These four extremely limited cask selections from Belize, Jamaica and Australia stand out in different ways, but all are examples of the value that holmes Cay puts on selecting great aged rums distilled and bottled without additives. • The Belize 2006 is another great example of the collaboration between Travellers and holmes

Cay rum and one of very few fully tropically aged, single cask rums that you will find from this distillery. The Belize 2006 16 Year is a molassesbased column still rum produced at Travellers liquors distillery in Belize. Produced on a manually operated column still and 100% tropically aged and bottled in Belize, four casks were selected and individually bottled at 61% alcohol by volume. • The Jamaica iTP is holmes Cay’s first release from the storied long Pond distillery. Founded in 1753, the long Pond distillery is now a part of national rums of Jamaica. This all-molasses rum is a single, light ester mark, called the ive Trelawny

Pot (iTP.) it was produced on their historic John dore copper pot still and 100% tropically aged in

Jamaica in ex-bourbon barrels. Three casks were individually bottled at a flavorful 56% alcohol by volume. The low ester pot still expression has a classic Jamaican intensity thanks to 100 percent tropical aging. • The Australia Beenleigh 2012 edition, an all molasses, 100% pot still rum, was produced at Beenleigh Artisan distillery in Queensland,

Australia. Aged in Australia for 6 years in American oak, it then spent an additional 4 years in exbourbon casks in the uK. Four barrels were selected for the Australia Beenleigh 2012 edition, individually bottled in new York state at 61% alcohol by volume. • The Jamaica emB 2014 comes from the Clarendon distillery, also part of national rums of Jamaica.

This medium ester style rum mark is made with a molasses base, open fermentation and

pot distillation. it was 100% aged in Jamaica in ex-bourbon barrels, and three barrels were individually bottled at 61% alcohol by volume. Kaye said, “As a leading us independent rum importer, this collection of holmes Cay expressions promises a diversity of flavors, and as important, exceptional quality. not only is there a very limited supply of these expressions, but each one deserves to be savored and enjoyed on its own merits.” eric Kaye founded holmes Cay rum in 2019. Frustrated that access to cask strength rums without additives was limited in the united states, Kaye saw an opportunity to focus on the hard-to-obtain aged expressions that he had encountered in europe and the Caribbean, while championing increased transparency across the category. 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. https:// www.holmescay.com

Ko hana DiSTillERS

Ko hana announced the first release of their rum series that will show off their creative capabilities as a craft distillery. each release will be a one of a kind expression showcasing what Kō Hana is all about: kō (Hawaiian sugarcane), terroir, and integrity. Kō Hana is their way of sharing their story, their culture, and their commitment to making world class rum from the most isolated islands in the world. For the first batch of the distiller’s series, Ko hana proofed unaged Kea to 50% abv or 100 proof to concentrate the fabulously funky grassy Agricole bouquet. They selected the kō manulele, a varietal rooted deep in hawaiian tradition. manulele, or the “flying bird,” is the most referenced cane in hana aloha (love magic), a ceremony in which prayers fly like a bird to a distant love in hopes of being brought together. each bottle is numbered and etched with a distiller’s select label detailing the unique attributes of the kō from the field where it was planted, nurtured, and harvested to the still in which it was created. This rum is going to transport you straight to our tropical sugarcane fields! At 50% abv, it packs a punch of creamy tropical fruit notes with hints of jasmine and orange blossom on the nose. smooth flavors of sweet cream, pear, pineapple and a slight minerality rest on the palate. we hope you fall in love with this truly one of a kind hawaiian Agricole rum! https://www.kohanarum.com/

hilTon hEaD DiSTillERy

hilton head distillery is thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of its Panela and solera rum products at the distillery and retail locations across south Carolina. limited batches of each unique copper pot-distilled rum will be released.

hilton head distillery is the only distillery in the continental united states that produces Panela rum. Panela rum is made from dehydrated sugar cane grown on a third-generation family farm in Colombia. The rum is then aged in a mixture of 49+ port wine casks and bourbon barrels. each batch is blended to perfection by its master distiller, whitney meriwether. The finished product is a navy-strength rum with a smooth character and full-bodied sugarcane flavor. hilton head produces an array of award-winning distilled spirits and is ranked TripAdvisor’s #1 Thing to do on the island. Founded in 2015, the distillery is inspired by American rum and whiskey heritage. The distillery offers educational tastings, tours and interactive and entertaining cocktail classes. hilton head is the perfect place to learn about craft spirits and taste some of the best distilled spirits in the country. At hilton head distillery, they believe in crafting new experiences that are adventurous, indulgent and rooted in tradition. using a combination of age-old distillation techniques and modern technology, they patiently craft their spirits the only way they know how: by hand and in small batches. They approach every batch with a sense of respect for the traditions that came before them, as well as a thirst for creation and innovation in the name of progress. each of their spirits has a unique personality that brings a nostalgic feel, yet fresh perspective to the cocktail table. From their flagship rum to their small-batch bourbon and everything in between, hilton head distillery is dedicated to creating world-class spirits. https://hiltonheaddistillery.com/

BacaRDi

Bacardí has released the second edition in its limitededition cask finish series, Bacardí reserva ocho rye Cask Finish. The new offering follows last year’s inaugural release, Bacardí reserva ocho sherry Cask Finish. moving forward, a Cask Finish series variant will debut every August through 2025. Bacardí reserva ocho rye Cask Finish is aged in American oak barrels for eight to 12 years and finished in rye casks during the final two months. The result is a velvety and luxurious liquid recommended enjoyed neat or on the rocks. A deep, rich mahogany in color, the rum offers aromas of gingerbread, maple sugar, and a hint of spiciness. The palate delivers distinct smoky notes interlaced with wood, caramelized brown sugar, and subtle vanilla. each limited-edition bottle of Bacardí reserva ocho rye Cask Finish features a unique marque number and the year of production, as well as a higher proof of 90, or 45% ABv, which differs from the base spirit at 80 proof. “in 2018, Bacardí set out to introduce a true, robust portfolio of premium rum offerings spanning four to over 12 years in age. As the leader in the rum category, we’re always challenging ourselves to innovate, introducing new and unique expressions to bring more people into the sippable rum universe.” said lisa Pfenning, vice President, Bacardí for north America. “rum is in a unique position because it has a natural warmth that invites conviviality and connection, unlike other dark spirits on the market. whether you’re an experienced drinker or someone new to rum and dark spirits in general, you can easily celebrate that special occasion with BACArdÍ reserva ocho rye Cask.” https://www. bacardilimited.com/