English Spirit launches caramel rum liqueur

The UK based English Spirit Distillery will launch the first batch of Caramel Rum Liqueur, as the latest addition to its English rum portfolio.

From becoming the UK’s original rum distillers in 2012 with the first release of Old Salt Rum, to the more recent co-production of Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ Great British Rum, Master Distiller Dr John Walters has sought to drive innovation in the UK rum category. English Spirit’s new Caramel Rum Liqueur aims to further drive the growth of the rum category, by introducing premium British made rum to new consumers and areas of the market.

The rum liqueur is notable for being produced entirely in the UK. As with all the rums in the English Spirit collection, pure sugar cane molasses has been used as a base to achieve richness and complexity. The molasses is fermented for at least two weeks at the Great Yeldham Hall distillery, before being double distilled in small batches, in copper alembic stills. The rum is co-distilled with oak, and blended with natural caramels and sugars, before being bottled at liqueur strength of 25% ABV.

The molasses base gives deep notes of raisin and cracked caramel, with an extra flavour dimension from the oak, enveloped in layers of rich caramel. The result is a silky smooth liqueur with rich notes of sticky toffee pudding and a hint of Christmas cake.

The design, created in house, was inspired by the caramel ‘purple ones’ found in Quality Street chocolates. As with all English Spirit products, the label features the batch number and product details on the front of the bottle.

Master Distiller Dr John Walters said: “We’ve set out to show that innovative, high quality British rum can be enjoyed in a variety of expressions, including as a liqueur. Rum connoisseurs can appreciate the complexity of the quality rum base, while newcomers to the category can enjoy a premium spirit, made accessible with the addition of sugar and at a lower ABV.“

General manager James Lawrence said: “ We’ve decided to release this liqueur to not only continue to drive the UK rum category forward, but also to provide a great idea for a Father’s Day present.

“We think that fathers across the UK will appreciate a rum made with real British craftsmanship, with a great classic flavour.”

English Spirit’s Caramel Rum Liqueur is bottled at 25% ABV. 100 bottles have been made available in the first batch.

Caramel Rum Liqueur retails at £22 for a 500ml bottle, and will be available to buy online through the distillery website, www.englishspirit.uk, from 2 June 2020.