Business View Caribbean | Volume 8, Issue 7

37 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 8, ISSUE 7 NAT IONAL RUMS OF JAMA I CA In 2006, further restructuring occurred due to government divestment of two-thirds of its shareholding to West Indies Rum Distillery Limited and Demerara Distillers Limited, in equal share, creating new opportunities. Miller recounts, “Before the new ownership structure in 2006, we were strictly bulk rum producers. Everything was owned by the government. So, it all went in a 25,000-liter tank and was sent to our primary customer, Diageo, at the time. With the investment in 2006 and the new ownership structure, we launched into our own brand, the Monymusk brand.” The eleven-acre Clarendon facility is one of the oldest sugar and rum producers in Jamaica, and was initially owned by the Monymusk Sugar Factory that opened its doors in 1901; however the Monymusk Estate had been established since 1755. The company’s signature brand, Monymusk Plantation Rum, is named after the sugar estate, which was operating before slavery was abolished, and provided molasses for the distillery until 2019. The Long Pond Distillery is internationally known for rich pot still rums and has been in operation under various ownership since 1753. National Rums of Jamaica also owns a third facility, known as Innswood. This location is no longer a distillery, but is used for aging and blending rum, and preparing denatured rum for use as rubbing alcohol and cosmetics. A fourth location in Kingston is home to the National Rums of Jamaica head offices. The Monymusk brand includes six distinct and sensory pleasing products: Monymusk White Overproof, a triple distilled rum with 63% alcohol, described as having a smooth finish; Special Gold, a golden rum consisting of a blend of rums aged for a minimum of two years in charred American oak barrels, to create its unique flavour; Whispering Breeze, a coconut rum liqueur; Classic Gold, a unique amber blend which has aged for at least five years; Special