House of Rum debuts single cask range

A new rum bottling company has launched with a collection of single vintage expressions, spanning liquid from Barbados, Dominican Republic and Trinidad & Tobago.

The new company, called House of Rum, was founded by David Howarth, who developed a passion for rum after travelling through the Caribbean. “I’m not a master blender or craftsman, I’m just a guy who really loves rum,” he said. “I’ve spent the past three decades accumulating rum experiences, from different styles, geographical locations, and producers, and learning how these differences translate into each liquid. “This is what I wanted to share through House of Rum; great, single cask, cask-strength rum with nothing added. No sugar for sweetness, no caramel for colour and no other additives or flavours, so you can really taste its personality and origins.” Howarth said the collection focuses on “aromatic and complex rums that uniquely capture the essence of their place of origin”. Each expression yields no more than 300 bottles. The collection includes nine expressions, with four initially available. These include: Barbados 2010 (60.5 % ABV), Dominican Republic 2000 (55.5% ABV), Trinidad 2012 (64.3% ABV) and Venezuela 2005 (57% ABV). Hailing from Foursquare Distillery, the Barbados 2010 bottling was aged for five years in ex-Bourbon casks in Barbados, and then eight years in ex-Scotch whisky casks in the UK. It is priced at £225 (US$284), with 232 bottles available. Made at Oliver & Oliver Distillery, Dominican Republic 2000 spent eight years in ex-Bourbon casks in the Dominican Republic and then 11 years in ex-rum casks in the UK. It carries a price tag of £249 (US$314) and is limited to 292 bottles. Limited to 264 bottles and produced by Trinidad Distillers, Trinidad 2012 was matured for nine years in ex-Bourbon barrels in Trinidad, plus three years in ex-Bourbon barrels in the UK. It is priced at £210 (US$265). Venezuela 2005 was aged exclusively in ex-brandy French oak casks, firstly for eight years in Venezuela, followed by four years in the Dominican Republic, and five years in the UK. The liquid came from Corporation Alcohols del Caribe Distillery in Venezuela. The bottling can be purchased for £449 (US$567) with only 140 bottles on offer.