King Charles Just Got His Own Special Rum in Guyana
Guyana welcomed the King with a limited-edition XM blend, putting its celebrated rum heritage in the royal spotlight.
King Charles III lifted the glass, smelled the rum and took a sip. His verdict: “very good.”
The setting was State House in Georgetown, Guyana, where the King was attending a reception hosted by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. The pour was a special one: Royal Welcome, a limited-edition 2026 XM rum from Banks DIH, created in honor of his visit. It was a fitting introduction to a country that produces some of the world’s best rum.
A Royal Pour
The reception opened the King’s two-day state visit, with music, dance and guests from across Guyanese society. Charles sampled the rum alongside the president, who encouraged him to take another sip.
The blend brought considerable age to the occasion. Banks DIH rum plant executive Gregory Garraway said the rum was more than 20 years old, describing a rich, smooth spirit selected to give the royal visitor a taste of the country’s craftsmanship.
The special bottling also puts a spotlight on XM, a name worth knowing beyond the royal reception. Banks DIH’s five-year-old, 12-year-old and 15-year-old XM expressions earned Gold Quality Awards at the 2026 Monde Selection competition, according to the company.
Why Guyana Belongs on Your Rum List
Guyana occupies a singular place in Caribbean rum culture: a South American country with deep Caribbean ties and a rum tradition rooted in Demerara.
We’ve long covered that tradition in Rum Journal, including our tasting of El Dorado 15, with its notes of brown sugar, coffee, oak and dried apricot. Our recommendation was to drink it neat — an excellent introduction to the depth of Guyanese aged rum.
El Dorado, produced by Demerara Distillers, is a separate name from Banks DIH’s XM. Both belong in a broader conversation about the country’s spirits. We’ve also explored El Dorado’s Single Barrel ICBU, another example of the flavorful rums that have made Guyana essential drinking for serious enthusiasts.
The King’s visit comes as Guyana marks 60 years of independence. His itinerary continues to Antigua and Barbuda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, following his stay in The Bahamas. In Georgetown, though, one of the evening’s most memorable introductions came in a small glass: an aged rum made for the occasion, from a country whose bottles deserve far more attention.
