Published by Will Hoekenga and John Gulla
Explore the world of rum by hearing from the people who are shaping it.
Listen on Apple Podcasts1 hr 51 min
Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here. You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. In this episode, we caught up with Mitch Wilson just a week before the end of his 7-year run as the brand ambassador for Black Tot Rum to discuss his exciting next gig, reflect on his Black Tot tenure, and go deep on what it's actually like to live on the road as a brand ambassador. We discuss: The new role he'll be taking on in the rum world Perception vs. reality of being a brand ambassador What it's like spending 250+ days on the road in a year The challenges small spirits brands face in the market How big brands buy their way onto cocktail menus The daiquiri strategy for becoming a brand ambassador His first (and worst) masterclass performance How to ask for better rum at bars without sounding like an asshole The prospect of single-flagon Black Tot releases And more! As we mentioned at the beginning, come join us for the live Rumcast show on September 19 at Boston Rum Week !
1 hr 13 min
Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here. You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. It's time: we're back with the second entry in our series to determine the best daiquiri rums available on the market, the Rumcast Daiquiri Bracket! This time, we're breaking down the "modern" portion of the bracket. Compared to the "classic daiquiri" rums in round one, these rums are typically more flavor-forward, and often composed of both pot and column still rums from multiple countries. Some of them also feature aged (and unfiltered) components. From heavy favorites like Probitas, to overlooked gems like Worthy Park Silver, to unavoidable bar staples like Planteray 3 Stars, to newcomers like Grander Cane Harvest, we put them all to the test to see what stood out and what disappointed. Here's the full rum list: Probitas / Veritas, the collaboration between Foursquare Distillery and Hampden Estate Holmes Cay Fiji Single Blended Rum (the people's choice vote winner!) Hamilton Breezeway Blend Planteray 3 Stars Worthy Park Silver Banter White Rum Transcontinental Rum Line High Seas Grander Cane Harvest Check it out and let us know which rums you prefer from the bunch. Cheers!
1 hr 25 min
Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here. You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. In this episode, we sat down with the founder of the only independent rum bottler exclusively focused on sourcing rums from the United States, Seth Benhaim of Mainland Rum. Since launching a little over a year ago, Mainland Rum has released some of the longest aged American rums to hit the market in recent years, including a 10-year-old Louisiana and a 9-year-old California to go along with releases sourced from Georgia and Florida. With their first unaged release from a Minnesota distillery set to hit the market soon, we figured it was a good time to catch up and learn more about Mainland's vision. We discussed: Arriving at the idea to focus solely on American rum The challenge of sourcing longer aged rums from craft distilleries Negative perceptions associated with the category The double-edged sword of releasing rums from closed distilleries First impressions of Mainland's unaged "S. Pombe" release sourced from Black Frost Distilling The future of the American rum category And more Have a listen and let us know your thoughts or questions! Learn more about Mainland Rum on their website.
1 hr 20 min
Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here. You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. This episode is the first entry in our ongoing Daiquiri Bracket series. Join us for a head-to-head showdown between 8 rums to see which one makes the best daiquiri in the classic category — the crisp, clean, refreshing style of daiquiri that made the drink famous worldwide. Can anything top the beloved Cuban Havana Club? Are Bacardi rums as bland as their reputation among rum nerds would imply? Should multicountry blends belong in this category? Do pot stills have a place if we stretch our definition of "classic" a bit? We tackled all these questions and more as we tasted our way through daiquiris made with the following rums: Havana Club 3 Don Q Cristal Bacardi Heritage Bacardi Superior Hamilton White 'Stache Diplomatico Planas Flor de Caña Extra Seco Ron Barceló Blanco Have a listen to find out which rums reigned supreme! And let us know...do you have a favorite among these?
1 hr 24 min
Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here. You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. We've got something totally different for you today — a new series of episodes to determine the ultimate daiquiri rums currently available in the (mostly U.S.) market! We're calling it the Rumcast Daiquiri Bracket, AKA The Daiq Braiq™. 32 rums will compete across 4 different categories of daiquiri rum styles. This episode is all about determining which 32 rums make the cut, and we need your help! During the episode we select our 28 top picks, leaving 1 open slot remaining in each category. Your job after listening is to vote on each category’s final rum. Here's the link to make your voice heard (it includes spoilers of the rums we selected, so be sure to listen first!): Submit Your People's Choice Votes Be sure to listen and send in your picks by Wednesday, May 27! Excited for all your thoughts and hot takes on this one. Cheers!
1 hr 20 min
Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here. You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. In this episode, we caught up with Alambique Serrano founder Jason Cox about his latest project, The Rums of Mexico — a wide ranging series of rums sourced from aguardienteros and distilleries across Oaxaca, Veracruz, and Jalisco. We recently shared our thoughts on these rums in a bonus episode , but this interview with Jason gave us a chance to learn much more about the stories behind the rums, including: How the project came about The great (and not-so-great) rums Jason tried along the way to partnering with the 4 producers featured in these releases Why he sourced his first molasses-based rum, Melaza con Muck, for this series The wild flavor profile of "Caldo" Each producer's backstory The inspiration behind the label artwork Aging plans And more! Plus, we also caught up on all things Alambique Serrano and discussed what's next for the brand — including the upcoming second wave of Vida Nativa rums. You can learn more about The Rums of Mexico on their website . Have a listen and let us know your thoughts or questions!
2 hr 2 min
Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here. You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. This episode is something fun we've never done before: Kate Perry ( La Maison & Velier ) and Brett Kozinn ( PM Spirits ) presented us with 7 mystery samples that are all candidates for the next wave of Flag Series releases for the U.S. market. We tasted through them together, debated our favorites, and attempted to guess origins before the exciting reveals, all while discussing all the factors that go into selecting rums like this for release. It was a super fun experience, and a cool sneak peek at what's to come from La Maison & Velier. Give it a listen and let us know how we did! We'd also love to know which of these rums sounded the most intriguing to you. Send us an email or comment on social to let us know.
1 hr 15 min
Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here. You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. We're back with Part 2 of our conversation with Foursquare's Richard Seale and Ian Burrell, the Global Rum Ambassador. In this episode, we discussed common misconceptions of the Jamaica Rum GI, including a fascinating deep dive into the history of Jamaican rum aging overseas, media coverage of the story, and what might happen next. If you missed Part 1 on Richard and Ian's latest rum project, you can check it out here . You can listen to our previous episode on the Jamaica Rum GI with Christopher Gentles of the Spirits Pool Association here .
1 hr 19 min
Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here. You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. In this episode we sat down with the dynamic duo of Foursquare's Richard Seale and the Global Rum Ambassador himself, Ian Burrell, for a conversation that covered so much ground we broke it into two parts. In Part 1, we discuss their new project that's been years in the making, other collaborations on the horizon, the future of Foursquare's Exceptional Cask Selection series, and much more. Keep an eye out for Part 2 next week. Cheers!
1 hr 26 min
Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here. You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. It's time for our annual predictions for the rum world in 2026, but with a slight format twist. Rather than just making predictions, we also include the biggest rum-related questions on our minds as we head into another year. What rum predictions or questions do you have for the next 12 months? Hit us up via email or social and let us know!
1 hr 42 min
Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here. You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. It's time once again for our annual lookback at our favorite rums of the year! This time, we both select favorites from the following categories for 2025: Value rum "New to me" rum Unaged rum Aged rum Blend Single cask "Am I the asshole?" rum Overall rum Bottler of the year Distillery of the year As mentioned during the show, you can donate to the American Friends of Jamaica's Hurricane Melissa relief fund here: https://theafj.app.neoncrm.com/forms/afj-disaster-relief-fund Tune in and let us know your own favorites from 2025! Thanks, as always, for listening and supporting the show throughout the year. We're looking forward to running it back with you in 2026.
1 hr 20 min
Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here. You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. In this episode we sat down with Trudiann Branker to go inside her role as master blender at one of the rum world's iconic distilleries, Mount Gay. After taking over for former master blender Allen Smith, Trudiann has played a huge role in shaping the current era of Mount Gay and Barbados rum, from reformulating traditional blends to charting a new course with the estate rum program. We discussed: The surprise conversation that led to her becoming master blender What it was like to create new blends for XO, Black Barrel, and more The making of a Master Blender Collection rum The balance between tradition and trying new things Her philosophy as a blender Mount Gay's production process The future of the estate rum program Her table tennis skills And much more! This was one of our favorite conversations of the year, so we're excited for you to hear it! You can get more details on the rums discussed in this episode on Mount Gay's website . Catch up on our past episodes with others from the Mount Gay universe: Dr. Frank Ward Talks Barbados Rum, Mount Gay, and More Inside Mount Gay's Estate Rum & Agricultural Program with Jacklyn Broomes and Maggie Campbell
1 hr 24 min
Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here. You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. In this episode, we sat down with Pedro Ferreira, founder and distiller of O Reizinho, one of the jewels of Madeira's fascinating rum scene. While O Reizinho is one of the island's smallest distilleries, it's quickly earning a great reputation among enthusiasts for its distinctive cane juice rums. We talked to Pedro about: What sets Madeira rums apart Evolving his father's small distillery from a clandestine "friends and family" operation to a commercial producer The unique challenges of cane cultivation in Madeira What it's like to send your rums through the tasting panel that certifies Madeira rum The pros and cons of operating a distillery from your own garage The direct-fire Portuguese stills that craft O Reizinho's rum Madeira's quirky age statement rules Local rum culture And more! If you're interested in learning more about Madeira rum, be sure to check out our Guide to Madeira Rum episode .
1 hr 25 min
Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here. You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. In this episode, we discussed something that we've somehow never dedicated a show to (but with a twist, of course): assembling a rum bar that would offer a beginner a complete view of the rum world. The twist, however, is that we have to do it in as few bottles as possible. Needless to say, it's a tough exercise! We debated how to define a beginner, catering to different spirits-experience levels, how to possibly represent a category as diverse as rum with just a handful or two of bottles, and a whole lot more. This is as much as episode for enthusiasts who often recommend rums to beginners as it is for folks who might consider themselves beginners. Have a listen, and let us know what you think! Cheers!
11 min
Did you know you can support The Rumcast on Patreon now and get bonus episodes, happy hours, and more? You can! Head to patreon.com/therumcast to check it out. You can now pre-order our first-ever Rumcast Reserve single cask releases online! Head to our online retailer to grab your bottles today.
1 hr 33 min
Did you know you can support The Rumcast on Patreon now and get bonus episodes, happy hours, and more? You can! Head to patreon.com/therumcast to check it out. You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. In this episode we finally caught up with Robert Greaves, founder of Mhoba Rum, the South African cane juice rum distillery that's pumped out a steady supply of distinctive, high-octane ester bombs over the last several years. Robert's been on our list ever since we heard he not only founded the distillery, but also built most of it himself, from the pot stills to the sugarcane press. He also brought his distiller, Shaldon Engelbrecht, along for the ride, who's behind many of the distillery's current experiments in high ester rum production. Completing the guest triumvirate is Eric Kaye of Holmes Cay, who is bringing a handful of cool Mhoba releases to the U.S. right now, both under the distillery's label and his own. We discussed: What it was like to have Richard Seale try the rum in Mhoba's early days The unique process behind their "Select" unaged rum The influence of Martinique and Jamaican production styles on Mhoba Adventures in extended, high acid fermentations How their unique new high ester blend "The Shaldon" came to be The perils and potential of aging rum in peated whisky casks And much more! Related links: The Mhoba website Rum Revelations' Mhoba travelogue (great pictures and details on the distillery) All the details on Holmes Cay's latest Mhoba bottles
1 hr 7 min
Did you know you can support The Rumcast on Patreon now and get bonus episodes, happy hours, and more? You can! Head to patreon.com/therumcast to check it out. You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. We've tallied the votes and are ready to reveal the champion of the 4th annual Rumcast fantasy rum draft (along with the debut of a new hit rum-themed song from John Gulla — be sure to listen to the very end). Guest participant Arminder Randhawa of The Rum Revival joined us to break down the voting results for each category, which included a number of extremely close finishes and surprises. Was it a repeat victory for Arminder? A return to glory for former champion Will? A first-time breakthrough for John? Tune in to find out! After you've watched, let us know — were there any surprises to you? Injustices? Was a deserving winner crowned? Share your thoughts via email ( host@rumcast.com ) or social media!
1 hr 27 min
Did you know you can support The Rumcast on Patreon now and get bonus episodes, happy hours, and more? You can! Head to patreon.com/therumcast to check it out. You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. In this episode, we take a deep dive into one of the iconic series of the rum world: Habitation Velier, Luca Gargano's collection of unique pot still rums from all corners of the globe. We start with a look back at a decade of Habitation releases and what's made the series such an enduring presence in the modern rum world. We then taste through the most recent 2025 releases, including a South African rum from Mhoba Distillery, their second release of Reunion's legendary HERR rum from Distillerie de Savanna, and a bottle from the now closed Renegade Distillery in Grenada. Finally, we throw out some of our own ideas for where the series could go next. What have been some of the standout Habitation Velier releases to you? Have thoughts on any of the releases we tasted? Leave a comment and let us know! Show Links: Velier's Habitation Velier Page The Lone Caner's "Key Rums of the World" article on Habitation Velier
2 hr 8 min
Did you know you can support The Rumcast on Patreon now and get bonus episodes, happy hours, and more? You can! Head to patreon.com/therumcast to check it out. You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. Note: We need your help to make the most of this episode! Go to rumcast.com/vote after listening to help determine the winner of this year's Fantasy Rum Draft. Thank you! For the fourth year in a row, we're back with our annual Rumcast Fantasy Rum Draft. In this annual competition, we compete head-to-head to “draft” rums from the selection of an online liquor store (or, in this year's case, TWO online liquor stores) for 10 different rum categories. The goal? To create the superior desert island rum bar. Following his big win last year, we were excited to welcome 2024 champion Arminder Randhawa from The Rum Revival back to defend his crown! We drafted our picks from the rum inventories currently available (as of 9-7-2025) at Burlington Wine and Spirits and Baytowne Wine and Spirits . The categories were: Unaged Lightly Aged (1-4 Years) Aged (5-13 Years) Long Aged (14+ Years) Cane Juice Unaged Cane Juice Aged (Any Length) Multi-Country Blend Non-Caribbean 100% Column 100% Pot After you listen, head to rumcast.com/vote to access the complete list of picks, along with a link to our Fantasy Rum Draft Command Center if you'd like to have a look. May the best team win!
1 hr 30 min
Did you know you can support The Rumcast on Patreon now and get bonus episodes, happy hours, and more? You can! Head to patreon.com/therumcast to check it out. You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube. Today's the day! We’re revealing the identity of the second cask selection that will be featured in our upcoming Rumcast Reserve release. And since two reveals are more fun than one, we're also unveiling the finished (pending TTB approval) label design. In addition to the reveals, we also take you through the work that went into them — from the twists and turns designing our label to the debates we had when choosing from our top 8 casks at The Main Rum Company. We also make one final decision regarding the label live during the recording, after some spirited debate of course. Have a listen and let us know what you think of our choices! We're excited to hear your thoughts and any questions you have. Check out Boston Rum Week — coming up September 14-21