WHat is a Witch’s favourite class at school? … Spelling!

This month’s Rum of the Month is Welsh Witch Spiced Rum from the haunting misty hills of North Wales.

Wales has a rich history of witchcraft, deep mystic folklore and tales of the spiritual world. The earliest case of witchcraft was recorded in early 16th century and compared to Britain, Wales had very few witch trials and fewer executions. It was thought this was likely due to the Celtic language being spoken and its influence on Welsh culture; often justice ‘did not meddle in the business of that nature’. Witches were often branded ugly and old, the ‘gwrach’ or ‘hag’ from folktales. It was a common belief that witches often appeared as animal guises with many tales of suspected witchcraft featuring the iconic black cat… they say ‘black cats find the witches’.

The small family team at Welsh Witch worked alongside an award-winning distiller to achieve this concoction. The Welsh Witch was born 1st May, a May Queen, a ‘Beltane’ baby. Beltane marks the return of vitality and passion of the summer. A common focal point of the Beltane rituals is the cauldron, which represents the goddess. The Welsh goddess Creiddylad is connected with Beltane and often called the ‘May Queen’; a goddess of summer, love and flowers. Beltane celebrates the union of the goddess and the Green Man; the coming together of male and female energies to create new life. Traditionally fires were lit at Beltane.

Jade of Welsh Witch, the ‘Green Man’ and her Black Cat Betty draw upon the magical cauldron of mythical and poetic inspiration, to concoct a potion to grant the gift of wisdom and inspiration.

Welsh Witch Spiced Rum is influenced by the deep mystic folklore and heritage of North Wales. A light bodied, silky-smooth spiced craft rum interweaved with notes of dried fruits, pine, citrus elements and spices. Inspired by the traditional ‘bara brith’, a Welsh fruit bread packed with dried fruit and mixed spices, this rum delivers texture with both natural sweetness and spicy tones as well as a silky smooth finish, with further notes of smooth vanilla, cardamon, nutmeg, warming ginger and cinnamon. As the initial bold flavours mellow the allspice appears. Lastly, this quintessentially Welsh Witch Rum completes its journey with a whisper of whisky aftertaste.

Welsh Witch Spiced Rum is best enjoyed neat over ice or paired with Fever Tree Light Spiced Orange Ginger ale, regular Ginger Ale, pineapple juice or Root Beer. Sensational seasonal flavours.

It’s perfect in cocktails too. Try a twist on the classic ‘Cursed Spiced Mojito’ by shaking Welsh Witch Spiced Rum, lime juice, sugar syrup and a dash of soda. Garnish with a fresh sprig of clapped mint. Sweet, sour and superb.

Try the ‘Witches Brew’ by mixing Welsh Witch Spiced Rum with Fever Tree Mediterranean Tonic, garnished with a sprig of basil and slice of lemon. A simple sip, light and refreshing.

Or try the Welsh Witch ‘Spiced Old Fashioned’ for a touch of magic by mixing four key elements; Welsh Witch Spiced Rum, brown sugar, orange bitters and ice.

“The Sun sees your body, the Moon sees your soul. The mysterious Welsh Witch of the night, lives by the sun and loves by the moon. Let the Welsh Witch work her magic, fly you to the enchanted land of North Wales and take a sip of Wales’ Finest Potion”.