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.