A big new rum portal

By the Caribbean Journal staff

There’s a major new rum shop in the Caribbean — and it’s inside an airport.

The duty free area at Barbados’ Grantley International Airport has opened a new “Caribbean Rum Collection” area including more than 80 rums from across the Caribbean region.

The shop is an initiative of the West Indies West Indies and Spirits Producer Association (WIRSPA) and the Authentic Caribbean Rum Marque (ACR), part of an international campaign to promote the “quality, versatility and quality of Authentic Caribbean Rums.”

“Our Authentic Caribbean Rums are the epitome of quality for regional products, equal to the highest quality spirits,” said Donville Inniss, Barbados’ Minister for International Business, who urged rum producers to continue their brand-building efforts.

The space will also include information on the brands, on rum production methods and on the cultures that shape the range of Caribbean rum.

It’s part of a broader educational programme implemneted by WIRSPA on behalf of CARIFORUM member governments, funded by the European Union.

“We are truly proud to see this fine collection come together in one place,” said Frank Ward, chairman of the WIRSPA. “We believe that this is the largest selection of Authentic Caribbean Rums available anywhere in the world for Travel Retail customers and are grateful to the Runway for giving our rum this opportunity.”