Fair-trade premium rum launched in UK

Sip your rum and help build a school. Fair, the spirits company dedicated to ethically and sustainably sourced products, has launched its aged fair trade rum, which is already on sale in France, into the UK.

The rum originates from Belize, located south of Mexico and east of Guatemala. Ethical production of the rum enables farmers to cover their production costs, live from farming, educate their children and build schools. The sugar cane is grown using organic and sustainable farming methods on small farm plots and is hand harvested to maximise the yield and protect the land. The growers are all members of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and work to fair trade standards, which add value to their production.

Fair works closely with The Fairtrade Foundation to ensure that it pays the farmers at a fair price by adhering to over 200 rules and guidelines.

Fair Rum is made from molasses from this sugar cane and then aged for five years in American oak barrels. It is then shipped to Cognac, France where the master distiller perfects the rum before bottling. The bottles are supplied by a French glass maker. 

It has a complex, aromatic structure. Its colour is a mix of amber and gold and has on the nose notes of chocolate, coffee and grilled bananas. The rum has a smooth mouth-feel with palatable hints of vanilla and chocolate. It is neither too sweet, or harsh, which makes it perfect for sipping neat, or for use in an Old Fashioned cocktail.

Fair Rum is distributed by La Maison du Whisky in France, and Coe Vintners in the UK, with an RRP of £38.00 for a 70cl bottle.

Fair was founded in France in 2009 by Alexandre Koiransky and is the first brand of spirits resulting from fair trade production. The company is dedicated to high quality products that are sourced ethically and sustainably.

30 September 2013 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor