The Rumcast

111: The Legacy of Angostura Rum and Trinidad’s Distilling Heritage with John Georges, Former Master Distiller

In this episode, we sat down with John Georges, former master distiller of Angostura Rum / Trinidad Distillers Ltd. to discuss his 40+ year career in rum, all things Angostura, and much more. This episode is sponsored by Nossa Cachaça...

110: Alambique Serrano and Cañada Rum: Tradition Meets Innovation in Oaxaca’s Cloud Forest (feat. Jason Paul Cox and Isidoro Krassel Jr.)

In this episode, we chatted with Jason Paul Cox and Isidoro Krassel Jr. of Alambique Serrano and Cañada Rum — two exciting projects featuring cane juice rum from Mexico. Jason is the founder of the brands and Isidoro is one...

109: Rolling Fork Rum and the Complexities of Barrel Aging

This episode is sponsored by Nossa Cachaça — Get 10% off any order at NossaCachaca.com with promo code RUMCAST. In this episode, we talked to Turner Wathen and Jordan Morris, the co-founders of Rolling Fork Rum, and went DEEP on...

Semi-Blind Rum Review #3: English Harbour 1981

We're back with another episode in our Semi-Blind Rum Reviews series. This time, we swapped roles with Will as the blind taster and John as the rum selector. It turned out to be a quite rare rum — English Harbour...

108: Tales from the Back of the Cabinet: Revisiting 6 Long Overlooked Rums in Our Bars

For this episode, we reached DEEP into the backs of our cabinets and pulled out a selection of rums we had long overlooked, neglected, or even forgotten about in our bars to see how our thoughts have evolved (or IF...

107: San Juan Artisan Distillers & the Emerging Puerto Rican Craft Rum Scene with Pepe Álvarez

In this episode we talked to Pepe Álvarez, founder of San Juan Artisan Distillers, the only Puerto Rican distillery making pot still rum from fresh sugarcane juice in a true farm-to-bottle setting.You may recall we featured Pepe as one of...

106: Kuleana Rum Works: Discovering the Big Island's Take on Hawaiian Rum with Steve Jefferson

In this episode, we sat down with Steve Jefferson, co-founder and CEO of Kuleana Rum Works, a distillery on Hawaii's Big Island that's putting their own spin on fresh cane juice rum. From growing their own heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane to...

105: Inside The Islay Rum Company: A Unique Take on Scottish Rum with Ben Inglis

With John on vacation, I flew solo on this episode to welcome Ben Inglis, distillery manager and co-founder of The Islay Rum Company, to the show to get the full story on his unique approach to Scottish rum.If you listened...

104: Introducing Semi-Blind Rum Reviews: Shakara 12-Year Thailand Rum and TCRL High Seas

This week, we’re introducing a new episode format — the Semi-Blind Rum Review!In these reviews, one of us will know the identity of the rum being reviewed and one of us will be going in with no information about the...

103: Bira Rum and the Emerging Canadian Rum Scene with Karl Mudzamba (and Special Guest Ivar de Laat)

In this episode, we explore the impressive start of possibly the only independent rum bottler in Canada, Bira Rum. Founder Karl Mudzamba took us inside his journey from Zimbabwe, to playing professional rugby in New Zealand, to starting Bira in...

102: The Rumcast Guide to UK Rum

In this episode, we're back with a fresh entry in our Rumcast Guides series — and this time we're taking on the rums of the United Kingdom!Over the last 12 years or so, the UK has seen an explosion of...

[Free Bonus Episode] Ian Burrell's Full 100th Episode Interview + a Mystery Sample Tasting

In this free bonus episode, we're releasing global rum ambassador and Equiano co-founder Ian Burrell's full interview from our 100th episode, which was full of interesting nuggets about the development of Equiano, rum education, where we can expect to see...

100: The 100th Episode! A Toast to Rum’s Recent Past, Present, and Possible Future with 12 Rumcast Veterans

Without further delay, we're super excited to share our 100th episode of The Rumcast with you!As we've hinted, this episode is special to us, and was really a labor of love. Rather than going with the typical format, we invited...

99: Our Top 6 Rum Predictions for 2024

Per tradition, we're back with our predictions for what will happen in the world of rum in 2024 — from trends, to releases, to new projects, and beyond. In the spirit of accountability, we also take a look back at last...

98: 2023 in Review: Our 16 Favorite Rums of the Year

Happy holidays and New Year (in advance), everyone!In our fourth annual Year in Review episode we take a look back at our favorite rums of the year in the following categories:Unaged molasses rumUnaged cane juice rumAged rum (5 years or...

97: Inside the Hampden 8 Marks Collection with Peppie Grant, Daniele Biondi, and Howard McCalla

In this episode, we went deep on the eight marks of Jamaica's Hampden Estate and the making of the recently released 8 Marks Collection with Peppie Grant (Tour Manager at Hampden), Daniele Biondi (Export Manager at La Maison & Velier),...

96: The Search for the Best 80 Proof Rums: A 10-Bottle Tasting Tournament

This episode is sponsored by Wonk Press — Get 10% off Modern Caribbean Rum by Matt Pietrek and Carrie Smith now through December 10 with promo code RUMCAST. Plus, Matt and Carrie will sign your book at no additional cost!In...

95: Dispatches from UK RumFest and Beyond, with Chris Hassan Francke, Owner of The Green Zone

In this episode, we got a full report of all the exciting happenings and new bottles showcased at UK RumFest, Whisky Live Paris, and other events across Europe from Chris Hassan Francke, owner of one of Washington, DC's premier spots...

94: The Magic of Molasses with Maggie Campbell and Zan Kong

In this episode, we have a freewheeling conversation on a topic we've wanted to delve into for a long time — molasses production and the role it plays in rum! Maggie Campbell (Estate Manager at Mount Gay) and Zan Kong (Commercial...

93: Rumcast Mailbag Volume 1: Answering Our Top Listener Questions!

For this episode, we asked our patrons to send in their top rum-related questions — and they delivered! We share our thoughts on:What is presently the most underappreciated rum-producing country?What rums do you always keep in stock?What is your go-to...

92: The Frontier of Louisiana Cane Juice Rum with Jason Zeno of Cheramie Rum

In this episode, we sat down with Jason Zeno of Porchjam Distillery / Cheramie Rum to take us inside one of the most interesting up-and-coming American rum distilleries out there right now. Located in New Orleans, they're making a significant...

91: 6 "Bottom Shelf" Blind Spots: Searching for Diamonds in the Rough

Thanks again to all who listened and voted in our Second Annual Rumcast Fantasy Rum Draft — we reveal this year's champion at the top of this new episode!After revealing the champion (and a bit of gloating from one of...

90: The Second Annual Rumcast Fantasy Rum Draft

89: From Rhum Agricole to Traditionnel at Réunion Island's Isautier Distillery

At long last, we speak to our first rum producer from Réunion Island! In this episode, we welcomed Marie Ferrand (Cellar Master) and Yann Auberval (Director of Marketing) to take us inside Isautier Distillery's traditions of both cane juice and...

88: 5 "Lazy" Rum Cocktail Ideas for Peak Summertime

For those of us in the northern hemisphere, the dog days of summer are officially here. And if you're like us, that means it's the perfect time of the year for tasty rum cocktails that don't require much effort to...

87: From Rum Geek to Rum Bottler with Down Island Spirits Founder Mike Streeter

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Streeter, founder of Down Island Spirits — a brand that's part of the new wave of American independent bottlers hitting the rum scene over the last few years. We talk through all...

86: Chasing Down Long Lost Rums and Tiki Recipes with Jeff "Beachbum" Berry

At long last, we sit down to interview Jeff "Beachbum" Berry, decoder of the Zombie and scores of other classic tiki cocktails, author of books like Sippin' Safari and Potions of the Caribbean, owner of Latitude 29, and purveyor of...

85: A Rumcast Wish List: 8 Rums We Want to Exist

In this episode, we asked ourselves an interesting question: what gaps currently exist in rum brands' lineups that we'd love to see them fill?We each privately constructed our own list and then revealed and debated our wish list rums in...

84: The Story of Dakabend Rum and Aguardiente de Caña in Oaxaca's Sierra Norte with Elisandro Gonzalez Molina

In this episode, we sat down with co-founder Elisandro Gonzalez Molina to learn all about Dakabend Rum — an aguardiente de caña made in the Sierra Norte region of Oaxaca in Mexico. We discussed:The journey Elisandro and his cousin, Edgar...

83: Diving into English Harbour Rum and Antigua Distillery with Calbert Francis

In this episode, we sat down with Calbert Francis, global export manager for Antigua Distillery Ltd. to talk all things English Harbour Rum. Antigua Distillery Ltd. is interesting, as it doesn't fit neatly into the English/Spanish/French categorizations (and is a great...

[Free Bonus Episode] Breaking Down the Appleton 17-Year Legend Release (And the Strong Reactions It's Receiving)

Hey Rumcasters, we’re making one of this month’s bonus episodes (typically exclusive to patrons) free for all!This past week, Appleton formally announced the coming special release of the long-awaited Appleton 17-Year Legend rum, which they've billed as a "faithful recreation"...

81: Catching Up with Ben Jones: Rhum J.M, Rhum Clément, St. Lucia Distillers, and All Things Spiribam

In this episode, we caught up with Ben Jones (director of North America for Spiribam) to catch up on all things related to Spiribam's portfolio of rum brands/distilleries, like Rhum J.M, Rhum Clément, St. Lucia Distillers, and their latest acquisition...

80: An Epic Blind Foursquare Tasting: Which Rums Under $50(ish) Are the Best Value?

In this episode, we embark on a journey to discover which Foursquare rums that are $50(ish) or less are truly the best value. To do this, we went through a blind tasting of 10 widely available affordable rums distilled at...

79: Copalli Rum's Fresh Take on the Spirit of Belize with Master Distiller Ed Tiedge

In this episode, we sat down with Ed Tiedge, master distiller at Copal Tree Distillery (the makers of Copalli Rum) in Belize. Copalli is yet another example of a large, relatively new operation devoted entirely to making cane juice rum...

78: Inside Demerara Distillers Ltd. and El Dorado Rum with Shaun Caleb

In this episode, we sat down with Shaun Caleb, master distiller at Demerara Distillers Ltd. (makers of El Dorado Rum) to discuss a wide range of topics related to DDL and his career in rum, including...His path from Guyana to...

77: The Rumcast Guide to American Rum

Announcement: We’re now offering annual subscriptions that allow you to save 10% on the Rumcast Patreon community! Head to patreon.com/therumcast to check it out.In this episode, we're picking back up with our Rumcast Guides series and turning our focus toward...

76: The Art of the Modern Rum Cocktail with Shannon Mustipher

In this episode, we sat down with Shannon Mustipher (rum educator, cocktail consultant, and author of Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails) to dive deep into the art of making modern rum cocktails. Shannon has spent the better part of a decade...

75: Part 2: Uncovering Terroir at Grenada's Renegade Rum Distillery with Mark Reynier and Jane Nurse

In this episode, we complete our interview with Renegade Rum's Mark Reynier and Jane Nurse (we released Part 1 last week, and you can check it out here).In Part 2, we get deeper into the production process of the rum...

74: Uncovering Terroir at Grenada's Renegade Rum Distillery with Mark Reynier and Jane Nurse (Part 1)

In this episode, we sit down with Renegade Rum's Mark Reynier and Jane Nurse to learn all about the Grenada distillery's terroir-driven approach to cane juice rum. This is one of the newest distilleries of its size in the Caribbean,...

73: Tales from an Epic Rum Journey Around the World w/ Richard Nicholson

28 Distillery Visits. 11 Countries. 13 Months.In this episode, we sit down with Richard Nicholson, founder of the New Zealand Rum Society and your fellow Rumcast listener, to unpack what can only be described as a rum journey of epic...

72: Our Top 6 Rum Predictions for 2023 (and Grading Our 2022 Predictions)

For the first episode of 2023, we're looking ahead and making 3 predictions each for the world of rum this year. Before we look ahead, however, we look back on the predictions we made for 2022, face the music on...

[Free Bonus Episode] Release Rumblings #6: Papalin Haiti, More Guadeloupe Rum to the US, New Bottled-in-Bond Rum, and More

Hey Rumcasters, to celebrate the end of 2022 we decided to make December's bonus episode (typically exclusive to patrons) free for all!In this edition of Release Rumblings, we share our rum wishes for 2023 before previewing a handful of interesting...

70: 2022 in Review: Our 14 Favorite Rums of the Year

It's time for our third annual Year in Review episode where we take a look back at our favorite rums of the year in the following categories:Unaged rumAged rum (5 years or less)Aged rum (Over 5 years)“New to me” rumBest...

69: Our Top 6 Underrated Daiquiri Rums

In this episode, we dig deep into our rum cabinets to discuss each of our 3 favorite picks for daiquiri rums that are underrated, overlooked, or under discussed. While most rum fans are already familiar with the go-to top recommendations...

68: S.B.S Rum, Advent Calendars, and Emerging Rum Regions with Joshua Singh of 1423 Spirits

In this episode we sat down with Joshua Singh, co-founder of 1423 Spirits and S.B.S Rum, an independent bottler based in Denmark that's doing some very interesting things right now. Since it's the holiday season, we also talked about the...

67: The Stories of Providence Rum and Clairin, the Spirit of Haiti with Herbert Barbancourt-Linge Jr.

In this episode we sat down with Herbert Barbancourt-Linge Jr. of Providence Rum / Distillerie de Port-au-Prince and The Spirit of Haiti. Herbert took us deep into the making of one of Haiti's newest distilleries, which has already put out...

66: The Making of Matt Pietrek’s New Book: Modern Caribbean Rum

In this episode we sat down with the Cocktail Wonk himself, Matt Pietrek, to dive into his and Carrie Smith's new 850-page opus on Caribbean rum, Modern Caribbean Rum: A Contemporary Reference to the Region's Essential Spirit. Along the way,...

65: The Rumcast Guide to Puerto Rican Rum (Part 2): Destilería Coquí, San Juan Artisan Distillers, Destilería Cruz, and More

We're back early with the follow-up to Part 1 of our Guide to Puerto Rican Rum. In Part 2, we dig into the wave of new distilleries popping up across Puerto Rico that are trying atypical things such as producing...

64: The Rumcast Guide to Puerto Rican Rum (Part 1): Destilería Serrallés, Bacardí, Havana Club (?), Ron del Barrilito

This is the first of two episodes exploring a category that has much more than meets the eye: Puerto Rican rum. In Part 1, we jump into a quick stylistic overview of the category before exploring its three most well-known...

63: Behind the Scenes of The Fat Rum Pirate, One of Rum's Key Review Sites

This week, we sat down with Wes Burgin, the man behind the 800+ rum reviews at The Fat Rum Pirate. If you've ever searched for info about a particular rum online, odds are you've already come across many of Wes's...