Will rum be Scotland’s next big drink? As they launch their Dunedin Rum, Strathearn Distillery hopes so.

Scotland has built a well earned reputation for its whisky and, more recently, its gin.

However, Dark Matter Distillers in Banchory and Sea Wolf rum, distilled in Angus for Edinburgh’s Bramble bar, are already exploring the appetite for rum made in Scotland.

Dunedin rum: golden rum

While Dark Matter make a dark, spiced rum and Sea Wolf is a white rum, Perthshire’s Strathearn Distillery have entered the market with a golden rum.

Bottled at 43% ABV, Dunedin Rum is presented in a unique bottle. The packaging pays homage to Scotland and is illustrated with a striking portrait of Muireadhach or Murdina, Scottish sea warrior.

The spirit adds to Strathearn’s already diverse portfolio of whisky, gin and cider brandy drinks. We have blogged about Strathearn’s previous spirit releases here and here.

Notes of dark chocolate

We have yet to try Dunedin Rum. Apparently, the small batch rum has a bold fruity nose and notes of dark chocolate. Tasting notes reference a blend of sweet vanilla and spicy flavours giving way to burnt sugar and caramel. It has an oaky-finish and retails at £34.99.

Tony Reeman-Clark, founder of Strathearn Distillery, said, ‘Rum seemed the obvious next product for us after all the other spirits we have made. This allows us to mature our Scotch in our own rum casks and vice versa – but it needed its own identity’.

Passion for small scale distilling

Liam Pennycook, the young Head Distiller of Strathearn Distillery, said, ‘I always told Tony that rum was a great drink. After a few research sessions, the idea was born. Or at least what we could remember’.

Strathearn Distillery was established in 2013 by Tony Reeman-Clark who has a passion for spirits and small-scale distilling.

Production began in the October of 2013, with their first cask being filled with Strathearn new-make spirit.