🎙️ Tasting Notes:

On this week’s episode of The Dram Amateur Podcast, Jason sits down with one of the most influential voices in modern rum — Kate Perry, U.S. National Manager for La Maison & Velier and the woman behind the Instagram handle @wheninrhum.

From opening Seattle’s iconic Rumba bar to bringing Clairin and other authentic Caribbean spirits into the U.S. market, Kate’s story is equal parts passion, persistence, and purpose. She didn’t wait for opportunity — she booked a flight to the Caribbean and created one.

This episode dives deep into Kate’s journey from sherry to sugarcane, her crash-course trip through the islands, and how a chance encounter at 1 a.m. in New Orleans changed everything. 🌙

🍹 Highlights from the Pour

• Jumping in feet first: How a random idea to open a rum bar led Kate to the Caribbean on a self-taught rum education journey.
• The meeting that changed her life: The story of how she met Luca Gargano at Tales of the Cocktail — and talked her way into her dream job.
• Building the U.S. rum movement: What it was like to self-distribute Clairin and Caroni through the streets of New York long before rum was “cool.”
• The power of community: Why Kate believes rum is best when shared — and how the global rum family continues to grow.
• Authenticity in the spirits world: Her advice to brands — and people — about staying true to your voice and knowing when to say no.
• Rum vs. Bourbon: The rise of transparency, the importance of producers, and why rum still flies under the radar (for now).

💬 Rapid Fire & Reflections

• The rum she pours for someone who says “I don’t like rum.”
• Her three-bottle rum “starter pack.”
• What rum in America will look like in five years.
• A dream tasting panel featuring Joy Spence, Mary Oliver, and 90s Gwen Stefani (yes, really).
• The deeper purpose behind what she does — bringing people together, one pour at a time.

🌍 Final Takeaway

Kate’s journey is more than a career story — it’s a masterclass in following your calling, building community, and doing things the right way. Whether you’re a bourbon drinker dipping into rum for the first time or a longtime sugarcane spirit enthusiast, this episode will make you see rum (and the people behind it) in a whole new light.

🔗 Connect with Us

Follow @wheninrhum for global rum adventures and updates from Kate.
Follow @dram_amateur on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes content, episode drops, and spirited conversations.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode — it helps the podcast grow and keeps the drams flowing!