June 6th, 2025: Gargano launched new rum category and other news
Luca Gargano launched a rum double-distilled in Haiti and Monaco, Tilaknagar eyes Imperial Blue whisky, a focus on distilleries’ slowdowns, Isle of Barra crowdfunding, tourism and more
Good morning from France, Provence!
Let’s start with something different today…
Luca Gargano launches new rum (category)
I’ve been waiting to publish this for weeks before the official announcement, so (for the first time) I’m suggesting an article of mine on Linkiesta Gastronomika:
Cenerentola arriva a corte | Velier lancia Mother Mesccia e una nuova categoria di rum
(Also, because I don’t think this has been published yes out of Italy).
Gargano has been asked to help revive an ancient tradition of the Principality of Monaco, the “mesccia”. This was a blend of rum and fortified wines, like vermouth and Marsala, originally made in the 17th century, when rum traveled on ships through the port of Monte Carlo, towards Genoa.
He gradually developed a new recipe, more suitable for modern taste: a sugar-free, double-distilled rum, made with sugar cane juice from Haiti.
What’s new then?
The first distillation takes place in Michel Sajous distillery in Haiti, the second one takes place in Philip Culazzo’s L’Orangerie Distillerie de Monaco, in Europe. The white rum is called Mother Mesccia and is now available, while waiting for the aged version (which will take time and experimentations).
According to Velier, this is a “new, never-before-attempted project”. I searched for other examples of this production process, but I haven’t been able to find one so far (do feel free to text me if you do).
Acquisitions.
Tilaknagar eyes Pernod Ricard’s Imperial Blue whisky
Tilaknagar Industries Ltd., an Indian alcoholic beverage company, known for its Mansion House and Courrier Napoleon brandies, seems to be the frontrunner in the race for Pernod Ricard’s brand Imperial Blue whisky. The French alcohol giant announced its intention to sell this Indian whisky brand a few months ago (article by Oli Dodd on Drinks International here).
The current offer is estimated to be around $600 million and this might be the largest acquisition in Indian whisky history.
Here is the news by Rimjhim Singh on Business Standard:
Tilaknagar tops $600 mn race for Imperial Blue, to expand whisky portfolio
Whiskey House of Kentucky faces lien for unpaid debt
Elizabethtown’s Bourbon and whiskey producer owes contractors nearly $1.7 million, according to the lien filed May 28. News by Janet Patton on Lexington Herald Leader:
Another major, new KY distillery faces lien over claim of unpaid debt
We unfortunately happen to read about slowdowns and difficulties quite often recently, but it’s important to realise the situation and learn how to face it and react. I found this feature by Nicola Carruthers on The Spirits Business interesting:
Lean times: investigating whisky production pauses
Something positive now.
Isle of Barra Distillers reached £800k to crowdfund its first whisky
The company reached its target to fuel the launch of its first whisky from the Scottish island of Barra. May this be the beginning of a long and happy story! Meanwhile, the news is by Harry Holmes on The Grocer, you can read it here:
Isle of Barra Distillers crowdfunds £800k to fuel first whisky launch
And…
There is a petition to save 9,000 British venues
Campaign group Save Britains Pubs has called on the UK government to save 9,000 independent on-trade venues that may face closure this year. Article by Miona Madsen on The Spirits Business:
Petition aims to save 9,000 British on-trade venues
Spirits tourism.
WIRSPA expanding Caribbean Rum Trail to boost tourism
The West Indies Rum and Spirits Association (WIRSPA) is expanding its multi-country rum trail to boost visits and promote the rum-making heritage of each CARICOM member state. Article by Shamar Blunt on Barbados Today here:
Rum trail initiative aims to boost regional tourism
Remind we recently talked about Guadaloupe here.
So, that should be enough for you to read today. Feel free to share your opinion :)
Have a great weekend!