I’ve been one of white rum’s biggest cheerleaders for a number of years now and it’s happening folks! White rum is now starting to follow what has happened to the premium sipping tequila and vodka brands. Just ask Sammy, George, Dwayne, LeBron, Bruna, Cheech, Dan, Rita or Ryan…..

As the rum industry continues to evolve, there is a new trend emerging in the premium rum and spirit category. Long considered a lower-quality rum, white rum is making a comeback and becoming a popular choice among discerning drinkers.

At its core, white rum is a clear, unaged spirit that is distilled from sugarcane. Unlike darker rums, white rum is not aged in barrels, so has a light and crisp taste. Traditionally, white rum has been associated with cheaper, low-quality spirits used primarily for mixing in cocktails. However, today’s premium white rums are changing that perception.

Premium white rums are made using the highest-quality sugarcane, and some even use a unique blend of molasses and sugarcane juice to create a one-of-a-kind flavour profile. These rums are also distilled using artisanal techniques that enhance their smoothness and complexity. By foregoing the aging process, these rums have a unique freshness making them a perfect choice for modern cocktail creations.

The trend towards lighter, fresher cocktails is one of the key reasons for the rise in popularity of white rum. Consumers are looking for drinks that are not overly sweet or heavy, and white rum provides the perfect base for these types of cocktails. Its versatility allows it to be used in a wide range of drinks, from classics like the Mojito and Daiquiri to new creations that showcase its unique flavour profile.

Another factor driving the popularity of white rum is the rise of the craft spirits movement. Consumers are looking for unique and artisanal products that showcase the skill and expertise of the distiller. With premium white rums, distillers have the opportunity to experiment with new techniques and create spirits that are truly one-of-a-kind.

In addition to its use in cocktails, premium white rum can also be enjoyed on its own as a sipping spirit. Its light and fresh taste makes it a perfect choice for those who prefer a lighter and more refreshing option than traditional aged rums.

As the rum industry continues to evolve, it is clear that white rum is no longer just a lower-quality mixer but is becoming a popular choice for discerning drinkers. Whether you are a cocktail enthusiast or a spirits connoisseur, white rum is a drink that should not be overlooked.

One of the more significant trends in the rum category is the spectacular rise of spiced and flavoured rums. While these two rums may seem similar, they are actually quite different.

The main difference between spiced rum and flavoured rum is the type of flavours used in each. Spiced rum, unsurprisingly, uses spices like cinnamon, orange, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg to enhance the underlying flavours of the base rum. Flavoured rum uses natural flavours like fruit, coffee and chocolate to create a distinct taste profile.

Spiced rum tends to have a more complex taste profile than flavoured rum as the use of spices is intended to complement the underlying flavours of the rum and create a depth that may not be present in flavoured rum.

In flavoured rum, the taste profile ranges from a refined infusion of a single delicate authentic natural ingredient – like cold pressed coffee that will enhance the rum and not alter its intrinsic qualities too much – through stronger flavours like pineapple or coconut, to highly sugary rum jam-packed with artificial flavours and colours.

It is clear that not all spiced and flavoured rums are created equal: quality and taste can vary greatly depending on the brand and the ingredients used. It’s always a good idea to try different brands and flavours to find the one that suits your taste best.

This may also vary depending on whether you’re looking to enjoy something straight, on the rocks, or in cocktails. The good news is that there is bound to be a spiced or flavoured rum out there that will be perfect for you – it’s just a case of trying them!

I’ve been tracking trends in rum for the past eight years and the significant and steady growth trajectory we are seeing now in the UK towards artisan products was predictable from some very early rumblings. The gin craze, in particular, established a very strong foundation for the craft spirit industry in the UK, with consumers increasingly turning to locally produced, high-quality products over mass-produced brands.

While artisanal gin and whiskey have led the way to date, proper artisan rum is here to stay as a major player in this category. Rum has always been a popular spirit from the traditional regions, but in recent years, a new wave of small-batch, craft British distillers has emerged, producing high-quality, unique rums that are winning over consumers and bartenders alike.

The artisan rum movement is all about small-batch, craft distillation, with a focus on quality and uniqueness. The small batches allow for greater control over the distillation process and ensure a more consistent and high-quality product. Additionally, artisan rum producers tend to use high-quality ingredients, which can give the rum a unique flavour profile that sets it apart from other mainstream rums on the market. In the end, it is all about taste.

As the artisan rum movement continues to gain momentum, it’s clear that it’s certainly not a passing fad – it’s here to stay. Consumers are increasingly interested in high-quality, unique spirits that reflect the local culture and heritage of the region they come from, and artisan rum fits the bill perfectly.

In addition to the consumer demand, bartenders and mixologists are also embracing artisan rum, using it in high-end cocktails and promoting it as a premium spirit. This trend is only set to continue, with more and more bars and restaurants featuring artisan rums on their menus.

One issue facing the rum industry is the lack of transparency in the production process of traditional rum territories. While some brands provide information about their ingredients and production methods, many others do not. This can make it difficult for consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, which could ultimately impact the industry’s reputation. It also provides a real opportunity for British (made from scratch) rum to step up and be a serious player in this spirit category. (Although I’m certainly not suggesting the one is better than the other – it’s more about offering a different taste profile and provenance to the consumer.)

Make no mistake, the rise of artisan rum is a trend that’s shaking up the distilling industry and winning over consumers and bartenders alike. The focus on quality, uniqueness, and local sourcing sets artisan rum apart from mass-produced rums and offers a new and exciting option for spirits lovers.

Whether you’re a rum aficionado or a curious consumer, artisan British made rum is only going one way and that’s UP.

In the world of cocktails, there is always a new trend emerging and, currently, it’s the espresso martini using premium craft rum that has taken the top cocktail bars by storm.

This rich and bold cocktail is the perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness, with a bold coffee flavour that blends perfectly with the smooth and complex taste of rum.

Before we dive into the trend of using rum in espresso martinis, let’s take a moment to explore the history of this classic cocktail. The espresso martini was first created in the late 1980s by London bartender Dick Bradsell. Legend has it that a famous model asked Bradsell to create a drink that would “wake me up and then “mess me up.” And thus, the espresso martini was born.

The classic espresso martini recipe is made with vodka, fresh espresso, coffee liqueur, and a touch of sugar syrup. The cocktail has remained popular over the years and is now a staple on menus around the world.

While vodka has traditionally been the spirit of choice for espresso martinis, bartenders are now experimenting with different spirits to create unique and exciting variations of this classic cocktail. One of the spirits that has risen in popularity is rum.

Rum brings a rich and complex flavour profile to the cocktail, with notes of vanilla, caramel, and spices that blend perfectly with the bitterness of the espresso. Rum also adds a subtle sweetness to the mix, making it the perfect balance of bitter and sweet.

One of the most popular variations of the espresso martini using rum is the “Rumpresso Martini,” or “Espresso Rumtini” which is made with rum, espresso, coffee liqueur, and a touch of vanilla syrup. This variation has become a hit in cocktail bars around the world, with bartenders putting their own spin on the recipe by adding different types of rum or experimenting with different flavour syrups.

There are several reasons why espresso martinis using rum are trending in top cocktail bars around the world. Firstly, rum is an incredibly versatile spirit that can be used in a variety of cocktails, making it a popular choice among bartenders. Secondly, the complex and rich flavour of rum adds a new dimension to the classic espresso martini, making it a more interesting and flavourful drink. Finally, the popularity of coffee-based cocktails has been on the rise in recent years, and the espresso martini is at the forefront of this trend.

My own choice for the perfect “Espresso Rumtini” is Peggy Dark Rum, our premium craft rum which is already infused with a small amount cold pressed coffee brewed with Nicaraguan coffee beans. In addition to the lingering coffee notes the taste profile will also reveal dark chocolate and molasses infused with oak, rich caramel, and a hint of liquorice and marzipan on the finish. If you’re a cocktail lover, be sure to give it a go!

Classic Peggy Espresso Rumtini cocktail recipe.

• First step – place martini glass in deepfreeze.
• Add ice to a cocktail shaker and pour in:
• 50ml – Peggy Dark Rum
• 25ml Blåk Byrd coffee liqueur (or any other coffee liqueur brand)
• 75ml – freshly made expresso coffee
• 10ml of sugar syrup – (for those with a sweet tooth)
• One small pinch of salt
• Shake vigorously for 30 seconds and pour into chilled martini glass and garnish with three coffee beans. Enjoy.

We are passionate about the rum industry at Far Shore Merchants – and that includes all types of rum.

In recent years, we’ve noticed spiced rum emerge as a prominent player in the market: data from CGA by NielsenIQ valued the global spiced rum market at $6.69 billion in 2019 and other reports put spiced and flavoured rums at 60% of the overall rum category in 2022. So, it’s a trend that doesn’t look like slowing down.

Common spices used in spiced rum include cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and clove, among others. The infusion process can either use natural ingredients or artificial flavourings, depending on the desired taste.

As a drink, it has gained popularity in recent years due to its versatility in creating a wide range of taste profiles. Spiced rum can be enjoyed straight, on the rocks, or as a mixer in cocktails.

The rise of craft distilleries and the trend towards artisanal and small-batch products has also contributed to its growing presence on the bar shelves and in drinks outlets.

It’s a category where the taste profiles lean towards a sweeter palate profile and slightly lower ABV (37.5% on average). At Far Shore Merchants, we use our white rum in our Jackdaw Spiced Rum where initially the ABV is brought down to 60%, the point when we add our spices. Our blend of spices creates notes of coffee, orange, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cassia and vanilla. We leave it to macerate for a few weeks, so the alcohol has time to extract all the flavours. We then sweeten it slightly with raw cane sugar before Cornish spring water is slowly added to drop the ABV to 37.5%. We preferred a drier taste profile, so it is definitely not as sweet as most spiced rums.

The popularity of spiced rum has led to an increase in demand for rum overall, with many consumers discovering it for the first time through spiced rum. A key driver is the on-consumption trade with barmen and mixologists creating exceptional premium cocktails which will naturally lure consumers to appreciate rum more.

This trend has also led to innovation in the rum category, with many brands experimenting with unique flavour combinations and production methods. This has resulted in a diverse range of spiced rum products, each with its own unique character and taste profile.

It’s also led to increased competition in the rum category, with established brands and new players alike vying for a share of the market. This competition has led to higher quality products and more innovation, benefitting consumers and driving growth in the industry.

We are excited to be a part of this exciting and dynamic industry and look forward to following the continued rise of spiced rum.