Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
There is a lot of debate and controversy in the rum world right now, concerning Geographical Indications (GI's) specifically around Jamaica and Barbados. Alexandre Gabriel of Maison Ferrand believes there is historical justification for rums produced on these islands to be matured overseas and to still be called 'Jamaica Rum' or 'Barbados Rum', whilst his opponents disagree, believing that tropical maturation is critical to the character and authenticity of these spirits. I'll be having more conversations around this topic going forward with a range of people on all sides of the conversation.
What do you think?
Also, slight correction - the amendment last year to the Jamaican GI actually cemented what was already in the original 2016 GI: you cannot mature 'Jamaica Rum' overseas.
There is a lot of debate and controversy in the rum world right now, concerning Geographical Indications (GI's) specifically around Jamaica and Barbados. Alexandre Gabriel of Maison Ferrand believes there is historical justification for rums produced on these islands to be matured overseas and to still be called 'Jamaica Rum' or 'Barbados Rum', whilst his opponents disagree, believing that tropical maturation is critical to the character and authenticity of these spirits. I'll be having more conversations around this topic going forward with a range of people on all sides of the conversation.
What do you think?
Also, slight correction - the amendment last year to the Jamaican GI actually cemented what was already in the original 2016 GI: you cannot mature 'Jamaica Rum' overseas.
