Meet the Producers | Islay Rum | 2024
Located on the southern coast of Islay in Port Ellen, the Islay Rum Distillery is one of the new “from scratch” producers on the Scottish rum scene. Celebrating the success of winning ‘Best Start Up’ at the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards 2023, they proudly stand as the first and only rum distillery on the iconic, spirit-producing Isle of Islay.
Ben Inglis, Head Distiller and Distillery Manager
As an independent distillery, their Head Distiller and Distillery Manager, Ben Inglis, takes great pride in producing high-quality, small-batch rum inspired by traditional distillation and fermentation methods used in the Caribbean. The Islay Rum Distillery crafts rum in a bespoke pot and twin retort still, resulting in a spirit full of character with a unique Scottish twist. Despite only starting production in January 2022, their rum has already won several awards, a trend they hope to continue as they expand their product range with exciting new additions.
With four distinctive rums, the first is Geal, Gaelic for white, clear, bright, and pure. Geal, the distillery's first release, is a strong white rum expression inspired by rums from Haiti, Jamaica, and the French West Indies, and sitting at 45% ABV.
The second is Peat Spice rum, a unique take on spiced rum with an Islay twist. It features peat-smoked orange slices combined with orange, chocolate, star anise and ginger.
Third is Uin Mhor, a small-batch flavour bomb that packs a punch at 55% ABV. It boasts a profile full of overripe fruit, pear drops, and a distinct hit of airfix glue.
Lastly, their newest edition - Barrel Aged. This rum has been quietly resting in a selection of four casks, including red wine, sherry, and port. These casks were used to store Islay’s smoky malt whisky before being filled with the rum. The result is a stunning, delicate, and very drinkable rum, bottled at 46%, with notes of red fruits, unripe banana, leather, and a delicate balance of smoke and tropical fruit.
Website | www.islayrum.com
Facebook | fb.com/TheIslayRum
Instagram | @islayrum
Twitter | @IslayRum