Rum war continues in Court in Jamaica, Barbados might be next

 


Jacob Evans, reporting for BBC news, outlines how the 2024 amendments approved by the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) to the geographical indication (GI) designation for Jamaica Rum has set the industry in a flutter.

The GI designation was originally set up in 2016. Now rum produced overseas is prohibited. The amendment was the work of the Spirits Pool Association (SPA), the trade organisation representing Jamaica's six rum distilleries - Appleton (which is owned by J Wray and Nephew), Clarendon, Hampden Estate, Long Pond, New Yarmouth and Worthy Park Estate.

The designation is especially relevant in two key export markets – the EU and the US and is expected to give Jamaica’s premium rum producers better protection against competitors and lead to more drinkers recognising it as a premium product.

One Jamaican producer is disputing the new law saying it could go out of business. National Rums of Jamaica (NRJ), owns Long Pond and 73 per cent of Clarendon. NRJ is comprised of three shareholders – the government of Jamaica, Demerara Distillers of Guyana and the Barbados-based West Indies Rum Distillery (Wird).

As noted by the BBC “Wird has since 2017 been owned by French spirits firm Maison Ferrand. Its business model relies heavily on exporting rum in bulk and ageing overseas - something not allowed under Jamaica's new GI.

“It argues that rum aged outside of Jamaica is still Jamaican rum, and that the island has exported and aged rum abroad for centuries. The NRJ is appealing the ruling of JIPO, with a hearing scheduled for 28 April.”

Barbados also has problems. The island has five distilleries and four agreed on the wording of a proposed Barbados rum GI. The sole objector was Wird, which owns brands such as Cockspur. The island is yet to reach agreement on a GI for rum.

Information source: BBC news

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