Flowing authentic rums from the Caribbean

Authentic Caribbean Rum Marque is making its inroads into new markets and aims at being in the top tier of the world drinks market. While many other rum origins focus on producing a light spirit, and depend on the ageing and blending to give it distinctiveness, rums within the ambit of West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers’ Association (WIRSPA) focus right at the start of the process – on fermentation and distillation. WIRSPA was constituted in 1960s to safeguard the interests of Caribbean rum producers at both local and global level. WIRSPA was instrumental in bringing Authentic Caribbean Rum Marque (ACRM), which emerged as a symbol of quality and provenance for Caribbean rums. It also ensures that trade customers recognise and appreciate the diversity and quality inherent withi 
authentic Caribbean rums.

Vaughn Renwick, Chief Executive Officer, WIRSPA, spoke to Vikal Samdariya on WIRSPA’s approach and role for ensuring quality control in the process and production of authentic rums, premiumisation, subsidy issues, international negotiations and other related subjects.

Q. What have been the major achievements of the association since its formation in 1960s?

A. WIRSPA has been at the forefront of negotiations since the 1970s between the Caribbean states and international markets such as Canada, the United States and Europe so as to ensure duty and quota free entry of our rums into those markets.

The establishment of the Authentic Caribbean Rum Marque as a symbol of quality and provenance in 2005 presented the WIRSPA ‘family’ of producers as a distinct group and exposed the Caribbean as the home of rum; with many diverse producers and their own peculiar heritage, but with common production standards.

The ACRM demonstrates to the trade and to consumers that the brand adheres to production standard that represents authentic origin and provenance.

Q. Are there rules and regulations regarding Authentic Caribbean Rum Marque to comply with by member countries/rum producers?

A. Products meeting the ACRM rules must adhere to the rum standard of the Caribbean Community or the Dominican Republic – comprising the countries which make up the WIRSPA membership. Moreover, the rum labels must carry the country of origin that is where the rum was fermented and distilled.

Authentic Caribbean Rum Marque demands that rum can only be produced from sugarcane molasses, syrup, or juice. Besides it must be distilled below 96 percent and contain the organoleptic characteristics of rum. Moreover, rum within the ambit of ACRM cannot be produced from neutral alcohol, or be blended with neutral alcohol or any other spirits. The rums within the ambit of ACRM cannot be flavoured. In relation to colour, according to the rules, only caramel may be used for ACRM rums.

If a rum within the ambit of Authentic Caribbean Rum Marque is matured and an age statement used, that age must correspond to the youngest component of the product, or component, if it is a blend. It cannot be the age of the oldest rum or solera component, or an average age.

These rules have been in place for many years and WIRSPA maintains a close connection with brands to ensure that they adhere to the rules. Where infractions may occur, WIRSPA, although not a regulatory body, uses its good offices to resolve the issue and ensure compliance.