Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here.

You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.

In this episode we sat down with Trudiann Branker to go inside her role as master blender at one of the rum world's iconic distilleries, Mount Gay. After taking over for former master blender Allen Smith, Trudiann has played a huge role in shaping the current era of Mount Gay and Barbados rum, from reformulating traditional blends to charting a new course with the estate rum program.

We discussed:

The surprise conversation that led to her becoming master blender

What it was like to create new blends for XO, Black Barrel, and more

The making of a Master Blender Collection rum

The balance between tradition and trying new things

Her philosophy as a blender

Mount Gay's production process

The future of the estate rum program

Her table tennis skills

And much more!

This was one of our favorite conversations of the year, so we're excited for you to hear it!

You can get more details on the rums discussed in this episode on Mount Gay's website.

Catch up on our past episodes with others from the Mount Gay universe:

Dr. Frank Ward Talks Barbados Rum, Mount Gay, and More

Inside Mount Gay's Estate Rum & Agricultural Program with Jacklyn Broomes and Maggie Campbell

Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here.

You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.

In this episode, we sat down with Pedro Ferreira, founder and distiller of O Reizinho, one of the jewels of Madeira's fascinating rum scene. While O Reizinho is one of the island's smallest distilleries, it's quickly earning a great reputation among enthusiasts for its distinctive cane juice rums.

We talked to Pedro about:

What sets Madeira rums apart

Evolving his father's small distillery from a clandestine "friends and family" operation to a commercial producer

The unique challenges of cane cultivation in Madeira

What it's like to send your rums through the tasting panel that certifies Madeira rum

The pros and cons of operating a distillery from your own garage

The direct-fire Portuguese stills that craft O Reizinho's rum

Madeira's quirky age statement rules

Local rum culture

And more!

If you're interested in learning more about Madeira rum, be sure to check out our Guide to Madeira Rum episode.

Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here.

You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.

In this episode, we discussed something that we've somehow never dedicated a show to (but with a twist, of course): assembling a rum bar that would offer a beginner a complete view of the rum world.

The twist, however, is that we have to do it in as few bottles as possible.

Needless to say, it's a tough exercise! We debated how to define a beginner, catering to different spirits-experience levels, how to possibly represent a category as diverse as rum with just a handful or two of bottles, and a whole lot more.

This is as much as episode for enthusiasts who often recommend rums to beginners as it is for folks who might consider themselves beginners. Have a listen, and let us know what you think!

Cheers!

Did you know you can support The Rumcast on Patreon now and get bonus episodes, happy hours, and more? You can! Head to patreon.com/therumcast to check it out.

You can now pre-order our first-ever Rumcast Reserve single cask releases online! Head to our online retailer to grab your bottles today.

Did you know you can support The Rumcast on Patreon now and get bonus episodes, happy hours, and more? You can! Head to patreon.com/therumcast to check it out.

You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.

In this episode we finally caught up with Robert Greaves, founder of Mhoba Rum, the South African cane juice rum distillery that's pumped out a steady supply of distinctive, high-octane ester bombs over the last several years.

Robert's been on our list ever since we heard he not only founded the distillery, but also built most of it himself, from the pot stills to the sugarcane press. He also brought his distiller, Shaldon Engelbrecht, along for the ride, who's behind many of the distillery's current experiments in high ester rum production.

Completing the guest triumvirate is Eric Kaye of Holmes Cay, who is bringing a handful of cool Mhoba releases to the U.S. right now, both under the distillery's label and his own.

We discussed:

What it was like to have Richard Seale try the rum in Mhoba's early days

The unique process behind their "Select" unaged rum

The influence of Martinique and Jamaican production styles on Mhoba

Adventures in extended, high acid fermentations

How their unique new high ester blend "The Shaldon" came to be

The perils and potential of aging rum in peated whisky casks

And much more!

Related links:

The Mhoba website

Rum Revelations' Mhoba travelogue (great pictures and details on the distillery)

All the details on Holmes Cay's latest Mhoba bottles

Did you know you can support The Rumcast on Patreon now and get bonus episodes, happy hours, and more? You can! Head to patreon.com/therumcast to check it out.

You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.

We've tallied the votes and are ready to reveal the champion of the 4th annual Rumcast fantasy rum draft (along with the debut of a new hit rum-themed song from John Gulla — be sure to listen to the very end).

Guest participant Arminder Randhawa of The Rum Revival joined us to break down the voting results for each category, which included a number of extremely close finishes and surprises.

Was it a repeat victory for Arminder? A return to glory for former champion Will? A first-time breakthrough for John? Tune in to find out!

After you've watched, let us know — were there any surprises to you? Injustices? Was a deserving winner crowned? Share your thoughts via email ([email protected]) or social media!

Did you know you can support The Rumcast on Patreon now and get bonus episodes, happy hours, and more? You can! Head to patreon.com/therumcast to check it out.

You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into one of the iconic series of the rum world: Habitation Velier, Luca Gargano's collection of unique pot still rums from all corners of the globe.

We start with a look back at a decade of Habitation releases and what's made the series such an enduring presence in the modern rum world.

We then taste through the most recent 2025 releases, including a South African rum from Mhoba Distillery, their second release of Reunion's legendary HERR rum from Distillerie de Savanna, and a bottle from the now closed Renegade Distillery in Grenada.

Finally, we throw out some of our own ideas for where the series could go next.

What have been some of the standout Habitation Velier releases to you? Have thoughts on any of the releases we tasted? Leave a comment and let us know!

Show Links:

Velier's Habitation Velier Page

The Lone Caner's "Key Rums of the World" article on Habitation Velier

Did you know you can support The Rumcast on Patreon now and get bonus episodes, happy hours, and more? You can! Head to patreon.com/therumcast to check it out.

You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.

Note: We need your help to make the most of this episode! Go to rumcast.com/vote after listening to help determine the winner of this year's Fantasy Rum Draft. Thank you!

For the fourth year in a row, we're back with our annual Rumcast Fantasy Rum Draft. In this annual competition, we compete head-to-head to “draft” rums from the selection of an online liquor store (or, in this year's case, TWO online liquor stores) for 10 different rum categories. The goal? To create the superior desert island rum bar.

Following his big win last year, we were excited to welcome 2024 champion Arminder Randhawa from The Rum Revival back to defend his crown!

We drafted our picks from the rum inventories currently available (as of 9-7-2025) at Burlington Wine and Spirits and Baytowne Wine and Spirits. The categories were:

Unaged

Lightly Aged (1-4 Years)

Aged (5-13 Years)

Long Aged (14+ Years)

Cane Juice Unaged

Cane Juice Aged (Any Length)

Multi-Country Blend

Non-Caribbean

100% Column

100% Pot

After you listen, head to rumcast.com/vote to access the complete list of picks, along with a link to our Fantasy Rum Draft Command Center if you'd like to have a look.

May the best team win!

Did you know you can support The Rumcast on Patreon now and get bonus episodes, happy hours, and more? You can! Head to patreon.com/therumcast to check it out.

You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.

Today's the day! We’re revealing the identity of the second cask selection that will be featured in our upcoming Rumcast Reserve release. And since two reveals are more fun than one, we're also unveiling the finished (pending TTB approval) label design.

In addition to the reveals, we also take you through the work that went into them — from the twists and turns designing our label to the debates we had when choosing from our top 8 casks at The Main Rum Company.

We also make one final decision regarding the label live during the recording, after some spirited debate of course.

Have a listen and let us know what you think of our choices! We're excited to hear your thoughts and any questions you have.

Check out Boston Rum Week — coming up September 14-21

Did you know you can support The Rumcast on Patreon now and get bonus episodes, happy hours, and more? You can! Head to patreon.com/therumcast to check it out.

You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.

In this episode, we caught up with Dawn Davies, head buyer for The Whisky Exchange—one of the premier spirits stores in the UK.

Dawn is a huge rum fan with an excellent palate (she's one of the very few Masters of Wine in the world), and her position at The Whisky Exchange gives her a fascinating perspective on the world of rum.

You can watch the video version of the episode here.

We discussed:

What goes into managing a store selection that includes nearly 1,000 rum SKUs

Balancing esoteric rum geek bottles with mass market selections

Which rums should be on more store shelves right now

Standouts from The Whisky Exchange's 5th annual Rum Show this past July

What it takes to go through the grueling 5+ years long Master of Wine process

How Dawn approaches tasting rums

Revisiting The Whisky Exchange's rum classification system 6 years in

Annoying label terminology

And more!

Relevant links mentioned in the episode:

Follow Dawn on Instagram

The Whisky Exchange website

The Whisky Exchange rum classification system

The Whisky Exchange rum flavor camps

Check out Boston Rum Week — coming up September 14-21