There are three categories in the first year of the Scottish Rum Awards and all are part of a wide ranging blind tasting competition which takes place in August.
Defining a Scottish rum is a tricky business given many of the raw materials required are not native to Scotland. However, the categories have been developed following insights gained from speaking to Scottish rum producers.
This year, while the event is still in its early stages, the awards will present in three categories with the top three highest scoring rums achieving Gold, Silver and Bronze medal status.
So, before you join us at the awards bash, here is an explainer of what they are and what qualifies.
Original Scottish Distilled Rum
With a large group of Scottish rum distillers now producing rum from scratch, this is the category for rums which have been first distilled and bottled in Scotland. The word original is a reference to the spirit's Scottish home.
Distilled Rum
Not all producers have the investment or the time it takes to distil rum from scratch so this category is for rums which originate internationally and have been first distilled elsewhere. The skill of a second distillation, or the addition of flavour or botanicals which originate in Scotland, give the potential for a wide variety of flavours. This category is also open to internationally blended rums which have been aged in casks in Scotland.
Internationally Blended Rum
This category draws on the significant experience and skill in Scotland which blends spirits to perfection. We will welcome international rums which have been blended in Scotland.
All rums in the Scottish Rum Awards must be bottled in Scotland.