No pirates here, just “sophistication, Spiced”

For our next Rum of the Month we take a look at Drum & Black, a truly artisan spiced rum specifically designed for individuals looking for quality rum with an innovative flavour profile. The team at Drum & Black had a clear philosophy - to move away from lower quality mixing spirits and craft a premium spiced rum as an accessible alternative for spirit drinkers with more refined tastes, creating a new and exciting luxury drink for those exploring the rum world. They saw that consumers were becoming more adventurous, and with exploration comes knowledge, seeking brands that define themselves as individual.

Why the name ‘Drum & Black’? The drum is a rhythm, a beat, a groove. Much like the spirit of rum. Black represents the brand’s feline ambassador, the panther, signifying rebellion against tradition and sophistication.

The Drum & Black team, made up of Graham Cotton and Dan Buckland, is based in a boutique distillery in Essex. The pair met through playing in various bands in London. Dan was an incredible drummer and Graham was base and vocals. After gigs the pair would enjoy a drink and the idea was born over rum!

First bottled at the end of 2017, Graham said the most exciting time was seeing their product behind the bar and reality hit – this is real! Drum & Black has more in the pipeline but their lips are sealed and you’ll have to wait until the new year for any release…

This premium triple-distilled rum is actually distilled in the UK and then infused with seven of the finest natural ingredients and botanicals from around the world; sweet English honey, aromatic Turkish star anise, smooth Indian vanilla, warming Indian cinnamon, bright Spanish orange, indulgent Ghanaian Cocoa and Kenyan coffee beans. No artificial colours or flavourings are added.

Classic flavour combinations of chocolate and bitter coffee are cut with sweet honey and bright zingy citrus notes, delivering a bitter sweet yet buttery taste. Smooth vanilla and cinnamon balance and hold all the flavours with an aromatic kick from star anise. The bottle design is clean and clear, uncluttered, modern, contemporary and oozes sophistication. The rum itself is a deep honey colour, indulgent and warming.

The result is a classy, high-calibre spiced rum, rich in depth and flavour but with mellow complexity. The duo are so confident in the premium product that they recommend it is enjoyed “nude”, to savour its pure and beautiful taste for the ultimate sophisticated drinking experience. However if you like a mixer, it pairs well with a premium ginger beer - fierce but not overpowering.

Whether entertaining friends at a party or simply enjoying yourself, this is a must-have on your bar or spirits shelf. If James Bond drank rum, he’d order a Drum & Black – nude.