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 apartEvolving his father's small distillery from a clandestine "friends and family" operation to a commercial producerThe unique challenges of cane cultivation in MadeiraWhat it's like to send your rums through the tasting panel that certifies Madeira rumThe pros and cons of operating a distillery from your own garageThe direct-fire Portuguese stills that craft O Reizinho's rumMadeira's quirky age statement rulesLocal rum cultureAnd 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 daysThe unique process behind their "Select" unaged rumThe influence of Martinique and Jamaican production styles on MhobaAdventures in extended, high acid fermentationsHow their unique new high ester blend "The Shaldon" came to beThe perils and potential of aging rum in peated whisky casksAnd much more!Related links:The Mhoba websiteRum 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 (host@rumcast.com) 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 PageThe 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:UnagedLightly Aged (1-4 Years)Aged (5-13 Years)Long Aged (14+ Years)Cane Juice UnagedCane Juice Aged (Any Length)Multi-Country BlendNon-Caribbean100% Column100% PotAfter 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 SKUsBalancing esoteric rum geek bottles with mass market selectionsWhich rums should be on more store shelves right nowStandouts from The Whisky Exchange's 5th annual Rum Show this past JulyWhat it takes to go through the grueling 5+ years long Master of Wine processHow Dawn approaches tasting rumsRevisiting The Whisky Exchange's rum classification system 6 years inAnnoying label terminologyAnd more!Relevant links mentioned in the episode:Follow Dawn on InstagramThe Whisky Exchange websiteThe Whisky Exchange rum classification systemThe Whisky Exchange rum flavor campsCheck 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.After releasing Part 1 last week, we're back with the second installment of our guide to all Guyana rum. We kick off Part 2 with a discussion of DDL's influence on the modern rum landscape through its El Dorado releases and notable releases from independent bottlers.Next up, we confront the additives questions that have been associated with the distillery since the early 2010s. What have they said about their practice of aging with caramel in the barrel? What's the current status of the practice at the distillery?At the end, we close things out with a game of True or False with the Demerara Rum GI. What does the GI say about aging at origin? And sweetening Demerara rum?Tune in for all this and more, and catch up on Part 1 if you haven't already.We consulted a good amount of sources for this episode, which you can peruse below:The Lone Caner's "The Age of Velier's Demeraras" Series:Part 1Part 2Part 3Du Rhum interview with Luca GarganoVelier's catalog of DDL releasesOur own interview with Shaun CalebThe Demerara Rum GIThe Ian Burrell Facebook post on the Demerara Rum GI we referencedDDL's statement in response to social posts about the GIDemerara Distillers Annual Shareholder ReportsThe RumX community's amazing "Crowdsourcing Guyana Rum Marks" threadEl Dorado Official WebsiteBarrel Aged Thought's epic Demerara pieceA number of Cocktail Wonk pieces:Demerara Distillers Ltd. Pt. 1 and Pt. 2Q&A with Shaun CalebQ&A with Komal SamarooQ&A with Sharon Sue-Hang
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 the latest chapter in our Rumcast Guides series, we turn our eyes to Guyana and the legendary style of Demerara rum. As one of the world's most distinct, essential rum categories, this episode has been a long time coming. Whether you're new to the rums of Demerara Distillers Ltd. or a seasoned enjoyer, there's something in here for everyone.In Part 1, we set the stage by going over the factors that make Guyana's rums so unique, along with a brief timeline of rum production and a deep dive into the country's lone remaining distillery and its collection of historic stills.Part 2 will follow next week (with a focus on DDL's influence on modern rum, the additives question, and the Demerara Rum GI), so stay tuned!We consulted a good amount of sources for this episode, which you can peruse below:The Lone Caner's "The Age of Velier's Demeraras" SeriesPart 1Part 2Part 3The RumX community's epic "Crowdsourcing Guyana Rum Marks" threadThe Demerara Rum GIDemerara Distillers Annual Shareholder ReportsEl Dorado Official WebsiteOur own interview with Shaun CalebDu Rhum interview with Luca GarganoBarrel Aged Thought's epic Demerara pieceVelier's catalog of DDL releasesA number of Cocktail Wonk pieces:Demerara Distillers Ltd. Pt. 1 and Pt. 2Q&A with Shaun CalebQ&A with Komal SamarooQ&A with Sharon Sue-Hang
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're back with another chapter in our series of blind rum reviews — this time with two rums we've both had before, including one we just reviewed in a bonus episode for you a few weeks back!We begin with that very rum: Roaming Road's 17-Year Spain Rum. See how close we came to identifying a rum we both just argued over within the last month (and how not knowing its identity impacted our enjoyment of it).Next, we move to a rum we briefly sampled during our visit to The Black Parrot in London in January: Dead Reckoning's "The Black Pit." It's a blend of Port Mourant, Versailles, and Enmore still rums from Demerara Distillers Ltd. that features a rather unique cask finish.A big thank you to Patreon member Jordan from DC for supplying these mystery samples to both of us. Believe it or not, he actually sent these well before we independently tried and reviewed Roaming Road's Spain Rum. So it was a happy accident, not an evil trick!
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 sat down with Mike Gilmore, founder of Roaming Road Spirits, to go behind the scenes at one of the newest independent rum bottlers in the U.S.Roaming Road first got on our radar last year when they came out of the gate hot with an impressive slate of initial rum releases that included a memorable <>H Hampden rum, among others. With Roaming Road's second wave of releases now out (which we tasted through on a recent bonus episode), we figured now was the right time to get their full story.We chatted with Mike about:His journey from liquor store owner to rum bottlerWhy he thinks store barrel picks have gotten worse in recent yearsWhy he travels thousands of miles to sample casks in person (rather than receiving samples by mail)His tasting processWhat he looks for in a great rumHow he ended up bottling a 17-year-old rum from Spain (and details on where it came from)The impact of cask finishesAnd much more!You can learn more about Roaming Road on their website.This episode was sponsored by the Key West Rum Fest. You can get more info on their website.
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.It's finally time — we're revealing which rum we will be releasing for the Rumcast Single Cask Project (and our release date goal)! This is the cask we ultimately purchased from Main Rum Company following our in-person visit, where we sampled over 20 casks that originated from all over the world. We covered many of those casks in our previous Cask Project episode that took you inside our Main Rum visit.This episode was sponsored by the Key West Rum Fest. You can get more info on their website.
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 sat down with Oliver Chilton, the head blender at Black Tot Rum, to nerd out on all things blending—from their recently reformulated flagship blend, to their new solera blend, to their annual master blender's reserve releases, and beyond.We also got into a lot of in-the-works rum projects that we didn't know were coming down the pike. All of which are interesting.Oliver was a great hang and we learned a lot. We think you will too. You'll hear about:The rum Oliver was desperate to add to their Finest Caribbean blend (and why)How Oliver went from working at The Whisky Exchange to becoming a rum and whisky blenderTheir distillery project (and whether we might see rum coming from it)The coolest rare rums Oliver has had the chance to work withMisconceptions about sherry cask and solera maturationHow solera casks different from typical ex-sherry casks used in aging rumPossible future releasesAnd much more!You can get all the details on Black Tot’s blends at their website.
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 attempted a new mid-year exercise — picking 10 bottles each we think are the most talked about / anticipated releases of the year among rum enthusiasts, including bottles that have already hit shelves and some that are still on their way.The goal was not only to create a snapshot of what's popular with rum enthusiasts in 2025, but also to give you a handy list of bottles you may want to add to your list to try if you haven't already.After you've had a listen, send us an email or drop a comment on social to let us know — which releases are you most excited about this year? Which ones did we miss? We'd love to know!We've included the full lists below, so stop scrolling here if you want to be surprised!**Spoilers Below**.............John's Top 10 List:10. Holmes Cay Réunion Island Rum Traditionnel - Single Origin Edition #49. Black Tot Finest Caribbean (New Blend)8. Dead Reckoning Vanuatu 83 Islands7. Raising Glasses Full Circle Blend6. Bedford Park Westerhall Grenada 27-Year5. Alambique Serrano - Alambique de Cobre4. Habitation Velier Hampden PM Spirits / Prestige-Ledroit Blend3. Roaming Road Belize 18-Year2. Renaissance Clouded Leopard1. Alambique Serrano Vida Nativa Series #1: Pico CanoaWill's Top 10 List:10. Black Tot Historic Solera Blend9. Hampden 17538. Foursquare Exceptional Cask Selection: Mandamus7. Papalin Jamaica High Ester6. Renaissance Clouded Leopard5. Mhoba Rum: The Shaldon4. Bristol Classic Rum Jamaica DOK 20093. Hampden The Maverick2. Alambique Serrano Vida Nativa Series #1: Pico Canoa1. El Dorado High Ester Blend #2: PM/DHE
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 sat down with the founder and distiller behind one of the most interesting rum projects in the U.S. right now, Robyn Smith of rum et al., a chemical engineering PhD turned rum distiller.The premise behind Rum Et Al is simple but fascinating. Robyn started with a foundational, always-available rum she named Baseline. She's since released batches in which she introduces a "variable" to the Baseline recipe, such as dunder. This allows you to taste the exact differences that the variable brings to the flavor profile when tasted side by side. If you're a rum geek, it's a really cool tasting experience.During the episode, we discussed:How she went from chemical engineering PhD to rum distillerHer experience in R&D for Lost Spirits DistilleryHow rum et al. came to beAll the nerdy rum production detailsThe joys and challenges of being a one-woman operationCongeners vs. estersHow ester measurements translate to flavor profileWhat we might see from her nextAnd much more!Be sure to check out her YouTube channel, This Blog's Neat! These videos about her rum et al. releases are a great place to start:How Baseline Was MadeHow Variable (Dunderclap) Was MadeHow Variable (Tailspin) Was MadeHave you had a chance to try Robyn's rum? What stood out to you in the conversation? Let us know via email (host@rumcast.com) or social!
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.Sometimes we get in the mood to do something a little crazy, and this episode is one of those times.After the debut of the latest musical number from John Gulla (don't miss this one), we spend 60 minutes putting a big dent in our backlog of rum samples by tasting and sharing rapidfire thoughts on 10 interesting rums each, for a total of 20.We set a timer for two minutes and 30 seconds for each sample, leaving ourselves some extra time at the end to discuss our favorites, what we learned from the exercise, and more.From recent releases like Papalin Jamaica High Ester Blend, to classics like Rhum Bielle Blanc, to up-and-coming producers like Taiwan's Renaissance Distillery and Australia's Mt. Uncle Distillery (including an Australian agave cask finish??), to recently closed distilleries like Japan's Nine Leaves, to soon-to-be-released rums that we saved as surprises — the range is wide and vast, just like the category of rum and John's vocal range.You can check out the complete list of rums below, or just dive right into the episode!After you've listened, let us know — have you tried any of these rums? If so, what did you think of them?Cheers!Complete List of Rums Sampled:Oxbow Rhum Louisiane 2022 Harvest (United States)Uruapan Cana Cristalina Single Agricola (Mexico)Below the Salt L'Ardois JaQ (Nova Scotia)Velier Nine Leaves 2023 Last Drops (Japan)Botran Rare Blend - Italian Wine Cask (Guatemala)Grander Toasted Oak Small Batch (Panama)Rum & Cane - Asia Pacific XO (Fiji / Indonesia Blend)Mt. Uncle Iridium X (Australia)Crooked Island Rum - Waterman (Jamaica / Dominican Republic Blend)Mt. Uncle Iridium X Agave Cask Edition (Australia)Dràm Mòr Single Cask - Secret Distillery 7-Year (Mauritius)Foursquare Magisterium (Barbados)Rhum Bielle Blanc (Marie Galante, Guadeloupe)Papalin Jamaica High Ester (Jamaica)Renaissance 2018 Pedro Ximenez Sherry Cask (Taiwan)Raising Glasses Full Circle Blend (8 Countries)4 Surprise Rums (3 of which haven't been released yet)
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.If you keep up with rum releases it's been pretty hard to ignore the arrival of Alambique Serrano's Vida Nativa series — 5 limited release bottles from the Oaxacan cane juice rum producer that feature a wide range of interesting cask types, different stills, and distinct flavor profiles (watermelon cucumber water?).In this episode, we tasted through 4 out of the 5 bottles, plus the new 3-year blend that's designed to be their first always available release. Along the way we debated our favorites, discussed a possible early favorite rum of the year, revealed John's secret connection to a beloved pop music icon, and much more.We cover the specs of each release during the show, but if you'd like to follow along, the Alambique Serrano website has all the details here.Have a listen and let us know what you think of these rums if you've been able to taste them!
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 invited Grander founder Dan DeHart on the show to break down the making of an atypical new unaged rum called Cane Harvest. Unlike the vast majority of rums that come out of Panama, this rum is made of 100% heavy column rum that typically only serves as a blending component with lighter-bodied rums. It's a fascinating glimpse at a type of rum we don't often get to experience on its own.You can watch the video version of this episode here.We talked to Dan about:How an idea to recreate the defunct Caña Brava rum led to this much different rumThe source of the rum (hint: it's not from Las Cabras, the distillery where Grander has sourced all of its other rums to date)What makes this heavy style of column still rum differentWhether we'll see an aged version of this rumHow Grander has evolved over the last 5 yearsMost successful and most unsuccessful secondary maturationsAnd much more!