Blackwell Rum 007 Edition launches to mark release of new James Bond film

A Jamaican rum maker with a family connection to James Bond author Ian Fleming has paid homage to 007 in a new product.

The specially designed 007 Edition of Blackwell Rum had been launched to coincide with the release of the new James Bond film, No Time To Die, which was set to hit the big screen in November before a second postponement due to Covid-19.

The brand's creator, Chris Blackwell, has a long-standing connection with Ian Fleming: his mother was a close friend of the author and lived next door to his Jamaican villa, GoldenEye, which Chris has since bought and turned it into a boutique hotel.

For the latest Bond film, Chris worked alongside the production crew and provided Blackwell Rum during filming in Jamaica. He has launched the limited-run 007 Edition to honour his family's connection with the character and his creator ahead of the new film's release.

For Chris, rum production runs in the family. In the early 20th century Cecil and Frederick Lindo (Chris' grandfather) bought Jamaican distillery J. Wray & Nephew and helped forge its star product, Appleton Rum. Blackwell Rum is made at the same distillery today.

The rum is made by small pot distillation, overseen by master blender Joy Spencer. It is aged for two years to "mellow" but does not take on too much woody character from the barrels.

29 September 2020 - Bethany Whymark