Fynoderee locks up rum to raise funds for RNLI

Isle of Man brand Fynoderee Distillery will launch Refuge Manx Rum in 2024.

The expression is the second spirit in its Coastal Collection of Spirits range, which raises funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). The charity celebrates its 200th anniversary next year. Fynoderee Distillery hopes the launch will shine a light on the charity’s origins on the Isle of Man. The rum is currently locked in the island’s Tower of Refuge, where it will mature in first-fill Bourbon casks for a year before being released towards the end of 2024. The tower was commissioned by the RNLI’s founder Sir William Hillary. The rum barrels were transported from the distillery using the Manx Electric Railway’s goods wagon, which was previously unused for several decades, before being loaded onto a horse tram. The final leg of the journey was completed by tractor. Paul Kerruish, co-founder of the Fynoderee Distillery, said: “When considering how we could make this rum extra special, we were struck by the idea of taking it out to the Tower of Refuge to barrel age. It feels somewhat surreal now to think that we actually did it! “Every time we look out towards the tower, often watching the waves crashing over the top, we think of our rum safely nestling inside. We are eager to find out how the unique maritime atmosphere of tower impacts and enhances the flavours within our rum.” “Being able to use our heritage railways to transport the barrels provided a nostalgic nod to the island’s uniqueness that we are always so proud to promote. “Ultimately, we hope that this very special rum will generate a significant amount for the RNLI and provide the perfect ‘Manx-made tot’ for everyone who wishes to salute all those brave RNLI crew members past and present who have saved lives at sea over the generations.” The journey was documented as part of a short film created by the Fynoderee team, which premiered at Media Isle of Man’s Awards for Excellence last week and can be viewed on the distillery’s website. Two bottles of Refuge Manx Rum will be donated to each of the 238 lifeboat stations in the British Isles, to be auctioned to generate further funds. In 2020, Fynoderee Distillery appointed Berle Figgins Jnr as master distiller and distillery manager.