A favourite of Casa Charlosa, especially when we’ve been to Spain for holidays in the past – where it is more commonly available, Ron Barceló, has joined the Emporia Brands portfolio for distribution here in the UK.

The Award-winning spirits importer and distributor, Emporia Brands, has proudly announced that Dominican rum, Ron Barceló, described as the world’s first carbon neutral rum brand, and the most exported dark rum in the world, will be joining their UK portfolio of premium spirit brands.

Ron Barceló is the only rum produced with 100% sugarcane juice from its own plantations in the Dominican Republic. Created by Julián Barceló in 1929, Ron Barceló recently ranked as number six in the ‘top 10 biggest selling rum brands of 2022’ (The Spirits Business).

As well as striving for excellence in taste, Ron Barceló also places great importance on the sustainability of its work. Certified in 2019 by the independent body SGS (Société Générale de Surveillance), Ron Barceló was the first rum to gain carbon neutral certification for the company and all its products in 2016. This was thanks to Ron Barceló’s own sustainability programme, comprising a standard of environmental and social conducts based on sustainable principles and measuring the company’s impact across environmental and human aspects. With these policies Ron Barceló has minimised its dependence on fossil fuels, ensuring that nearly 90% of the electricity it consumes comes from renewable or green sources, such as solar or biomass energy. It also recaptures all of the CO2 from fermentation, transforming it into food grade CO2 to for use in carbonated beverages.

Otto Flores, Global Brand Ambassador for Ron Barceló comments: “For our rum brand Barceló, to be represented in the UK, as one of the most prestigious spirits markets, was a major priority, and we are pleased to announce this news. Along with our partner Emporia, we will have a strong focus on brand building and distribution, bringing the world’s most exported dark rum to consumers across the UK.”

Jack Rackham, MD at Emporia added: ‘We’re thrilled to be working with Ron Barceló in the UK. We’re especially excited to be bringing in the Barceló Organic rum in as part of the range – this is the Dominican Republic’s first organic rum, made from fresh sugar cane juice, from Barceló’s wildest and oldest fields and it tastes fantastic and truly embodies what Ron Barceló is all about! Even the packaging is sustainable, made from a sugar cane-derived plant fibre case which is labelled using organic ink. Barceló’s way of working is such an inspiration to the industry as a whole and the consistent innovation matched with sustainability is remarkable.

The whole range will be available to taste at The Rum Show on the 14th & 15th July and is now available from most major wholesalers, including the Whisky Exchange and Distillers Direct, and includes:

• Barceló Organic Rum (37.5% ABV)
• Barceló Blanco Rum (37.5% ABV) – Aged up to 2 years in oak barrels before being charcoal filtered.
• Barceló Dorado Rum (37.5% ABV) – Aged up to 2 years in ex-bourbon American oak barrels.
• Barceló Gran Añejo (37.5% ABV) – Aged up to 6 years in ex-bourbon oak barrels.
• Barceló Gran Añejo Dark Rum (37.5% ABV) – Aged up to 6 years in barrels with a high toast.
• Barceló Imperial Rum (38% ABV) – Aged for up to ten years.
• Barceló Imperial Onyx Rum (38% ABV) – Aged for up to ten years in oak barrels with a high toast.

In addition, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the launch of Ron Barceló Imperial, the range will be completed by the special blend:

• Barceló Imperial Premium Blend Rum (40 Year Anniversary) (43% ABV)

Ron Barceló Imperial Premium Blend is described as a special blend of old Barceló Imperial reserves, matured in selected American oak barrels and French oak barrels, celebrating forty years of expertise. Amazing body with crème brûlée and caramelised raisin character perfectly complementing complex notes of dried cherries, pepper leaf and spice.

Sponsored by Coca-Cola Signature Mixers and featuring masterclasses, seminars and over 400 rums to sip and savour

Trade Show & Conference – Friday 18th October
Consumer Show – Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th October 2019
London’s ILEC, Earl’s Court
rumfest.co.uk

With this weekend having coincided with National Rum Day, what better time is there to remind you that the UK RumFest is returning this October to the capital for the nation’s biggest celebration of rum and rum culture.

Last year, RumFest saw over 2,500 visitors descend on London’s Earl’s Court to see some of the biggest names and the most exciting newcomers in the industry. This year promises to be just as impressive. Taking place on Friday 18th October, The RumFest Trade Show & Conference will see new and boutique rum brands showcasing their products to industry professionals, buyers and key decision makers from influential retailers, whilst a panel of experts will be discussing ‘Understanding Rum GI’s, Appellations & PDO’s’ at the third annual RumFest Conference. Registration for the RumFest Trade Show & Conference is open here.

The following day, RumFest’s consumer show will open its doors, welcoming rum bars, brands, mixologists and master blenders, who’ll be presenting a series of workshops, seminars, tastings and demonstrations over two days on 19th and 20th October. The festival, sponsored by Coca-Cola Signature Mixers, will feature over 400 of the most diverse rums from across the globe, all under one roof. There’ll also be food from the Heart & Soul food buffet, and entertainment and dance during the RumFest Carnival hour. For more information and tickets, visit rumfest.co.uk.

The RumFest Trade Show & Conference is the UK’s premier event for professionals in the industry, having provided a platform for emerging, independent and boutique rum brands for well over a decade. The show welcomes some of the biggest names in rum, as well as wholesalers, distributors, buyers and importers for an impressive series of masterclasses, tastings, discussions and debates on some of the hottest topics and biggest issues facing the industry today. This year, head sponsors of RumFest and the RumFest Trade Show & Conference, Coca-Cola Signature Mixers, will be presenting a seminar during the show.

Building on its longstanding reputation as the original mixer, Coca-Cola Signature Mixers are a global first for the brand. Enlisting some of the world’s most influential and innovative mixologists they created four new crafted Coca-Cola Signature Mixers, specifically designed to be paired with premium dark spirits. At Rum Fest 2019, visitors will have the chance to experience each of the four Signature Mixers and attend a free tasting masterclass. In addition, Global Rum Ambassador, Ian Burrell, will be curating a bespoke highball menu pairing the signature mixers with premium rums.

Ana Amura, Senior Brand Manager at Coca-Cola Great Britain, comments:

“As the original mixer, Coca-Cola has always had a history with dark spirits and with the rise of quality mixed drinks, we’re really excited about the launch of Coca-Cola Signature Mixers. There is clearly a demand for quality cocktails and it’s great to be at this year’s RumFest to open up the world of mixology to an even wider audience.”

For the following two days, RumFest’s consumer show will take over the ILEC Conference Centre at London’s Earl’s Court, for an extensive showcase of all things rum. There’ll be brand-led seminars from Mount Gay, Plantation, Worthy Park, Foursquare and more, with samples and tastings coming from Foursquare Exceptional casks, Velier Rums, Rum Java, Daylark 1863, Black Tears Cuban Spiced Rum, Doorlys, Mezan, Appleton Estate, Real McCoy, Mount Gay Rum, Depaz, Green Island Rhums from Mauritius, St Nicholas Abbey and Hampden Estate, amongst others.

RumFest Founder & Global Rum Ambassador, Ian Burrel, said:

“Premium Rum has seen incredible growth in the UK over the past few years as consumer learn about the various styles of rum on offer and how to appreciate them. The UK RumFest, since 2007, has been a major contributor to the rise and we are proud to continue educating Rum lovers from across the globe in our 13th year”

The festival will feature over 400 rums to be sipped, savoured and enjoyed in cocktails. This includes an impressive number of the world’s most exclusive rums, which can be sampled with Golden Tot Tokens, the event’s exclusive currency. It will be the first time these super premium rums can be sampled in the UK.

New to the festival this year is the Craft RumFest, showing traditionally made rums. Open to all ticket-holders over the course of the weekend, its purpose is to encourage rum enthusiasts to identify and understand the style of rum they are sipping. All spirits being presented will meet strict criteria, including being 100% pot distilled or distilled in traditional single or double column, and having no additional flavours or spices.

Also exhibiting over the weekend are a number of rum bars – including award-winning tropical tiki bar, Laki Kane and Retro, Polynesian cocktail bar, Trailer Happiness – who’ll be introducing their ‘star-tenders’ to mix show-stopping signature serves.

Elsewhere during the festival, ticket-holders will be able to place bids at the Rum Auction, for premium rums priced from £150 – £3500. There will also be food available throughout the show courtesy of the Heart & Soul food buffet, and entertainment and dancing during the festival’s Carnival hour.

Registration for the RumFest Trade Show & Conference Day is now open to members of the trade and press. To register, please visit http://rumfest.co.uk/boutique-rumfest-registration/

RumFest standard tickets are now on sale from £42.50, which includes access to all areas of the event and tasting from all exhibitors.

Press Release

Offering a world-first, unique rum re-distillation experience, the Spiced Dry Rum Club will delve into the world of rum like never before.

Launching Friday 12th October 2018
144-145 Upper St
London
N1 1QY
www.lakikane.com/spiced-dry-rum-club

A spectacular and exciting secret is tucked away above Laki Kane’s tropical escape bar, in the heart of N1. After months of development and refining, the Spiced Dry Rum Club will open its doors for its first official rum experience commencing Friday 12th October. The Spiced Dry Rum Club provides a truly unique rum re-distillation experience by utilising techniques that have not previously been made available to the public including nineteen copper alembic pot stills. Lead by a rotating team of London’s foremost rum experts, guests will embark on a voyage of rum discovery, experiment with flavours and design their very own bottle of rum to take home, completely bespoke to their own tastes.

A charismatic and charming 17th century inspired interior sets the scene for this unique 2.5 hour experience taking place daily at Laki Kane’s Spiced Dry Rum Club. Run by London’s most prominent bartenders and rum experts, rum-lovers and newcomers alike will be taken on a journey through the history of rum, indulge in premium rum tastings, learn about the key ingredients used in rum making and discover the perfect cocktail pairings for this exciting new style of rum.

Each guest will be seated at one of nineteen beautifully hand-crafted, copper alembic pot stills as the Spiced Dry Rum Club master distillers guide each guest through the re-distillation process, experimenting with spices and fruits to create their very own bespoke bottle of rum to take home.

The design of the Spiced Dry Rum Club has been influenced by the 17th century maritime rum trade, tales of large ships sailing high seas is etched throughout the upstairs bar with the main Pusser’s Rum Ship table seating twelve people and the Captain’s Table seating seven.

Experiences are available to book now from £119 (plus booking fees), which includes food and drinks during the session plus the guests own 700ml bottle of rum to take home along with a Spiced Dry Rum Club gift bag containing exciting products from Laki Kane and partners. Bookings can be made at lakikane.com/spiced-dry-rum-club and further bespoke packages will be available on request.

Speaking about the launch of the Spiced Dry Rum Club, Georgi Radev (Creative Director) says: “Rum is such an amazing spirit and to be able to offer others an opportunity to learn about the history and re-distillation process is something I have wanted to do for years. The Spiced Dry Rum Club is an unforgettable experience and one that will allow rum lovers and newcomers alike to be truly immersed in the wonderful world of rum.”

The Spiced Dry Rum Club follows the success of the downstairs Tropical Escape bar, which opened its doors at Laki Kane in early July 2018. The concept was created by life-long Islington resident and businessman Steve Kyprianou, Islington local finance and operations manager, Sam Robson, and ex-Mahiki bar manager Georgi Radev, a leading tiki, rum and cocktail expert with over 16 years experience managing bars and high end spirit brands.

What’s been said about Laki Kane’s Tropical Escape Bar

“Bar of the week” – GQ

“a two-floor, plush paradise” – The Nudge

“this tropical paradise is about as close to Hawaii as you can get on the Piccadilly line” – Secret London

“Bringing a spot of tropical sunshine to Upper Street” – Design My Night

“Welcome to paradise” – Barchick

“this is a Tiki Bar with a difference” – Le Cool

“Rum drinks are delightful” – Time Out