As a rum fan living in America (though only a rum fan for a relatively short time), I have spent more than my fair share of time scrolling longingly through European liquor websites. Europe’s history with rum—the good and the bad—has led to a vast number of independent bottlers, providing a wide variety of releases from many companies. This is thanks in large part to the proximity of E&A Scheer and the Main Rum Company. However, since I have been into rum, there has been a rise in American independent rum bottlers who deserve recognition for bringing exceptional rums to the U.S. market.
Hamilton Rum (Ed Hamilton)
To start, we need to highlight one of the pioneers in the category: Ed Hamilton, “The Minister of Rum.” Ed traveled the Caribbean by boat, enjoying himself while exploring various rum distilleries. This passion evolved into a deeper involvement in the rum world, leading him to establish the Ministry of Rum forum—one of the earliest online resources for rum enthusiasts—and eventually becoming an importer and independent bottler.
The Hamilton Rum brand has some of the widest availability in the United States, offering rums from Guyana, Saint Lucia, and Jamaica. As one of the earliest American independent bottlers, Ed and his rum brands must be acknowledged. His commitment to the rum and bartending communities is notable, particularly with releases like Hamilton White Stache Rum, tailored to bartenders’ needs. As an Ohio resident, I must emphasize that without Hamilton’s DDL rums, we wouldn’t have access to any DDL products in the entire state. With his custom blends, a new line of single barrels, and always-available core rums, the American rum IB movement starts with the minister himself.
Holmes Cay
Holmes Cay is a brand started by Eric Kaye in 2019, born out of his frustration with the lack of rum variety available in the U.S. market. Since then, they have become one of—if not the—top American independent rum bottlers. Their focus is on single cask, high-proof, no-additive rums from around the world. Their inaugural release was from the Foursquare Distillery in Barbados, and they have since bottled rums from Mhoba (South Africa), Travellers (Belize), South Pacific Distilleries (Fiji), and many more.
In addition to single cask rums, Holmes Cay offers Single Origin and blended releases, showcasing both aged and unaged rums. These include unaged rums from Savanna (Réunion) and more from SPD (Fiji). Holmes Cay has even begun working directly with distilleries on some releases, bypassing brokers to provide more direct access to unique rums.
Raising Glasses
Raising Glasses is a husband-and-wife team (John Hsu and Lorri Kern) based in Boston, Massachusetts. They bring a unique approach to the IB space, particularly by selling their rums in 375ml bottles—a format that may frustrate retailers and bars but benefits those of us who want to sample a wide variety.
Their portfolio includes classics like Foursquare (Barbados) and DDL (Guyana), but they have also ventured into uncharted territory with rums from Madeira, Canada, Martinique Grand Arome, and even frozen cane juice rums from Rummieclub (RIP). These folks—who I had the chance to host for a tasting (a tragically under-attended one)—are passionate rum lovers with a keen sense of what the rum nerd community wants.
Though this primer focuses on American rum IBs, it’s worth noting that Raising Glasses also serves as an importer for some European brands, including Bedford Park, Colors of Rum, and Bristol Classic.
Rolling Fork
Based in Starlight, Indiana, Rolling Fork was founded by Jordan Morris and Turner Wathen in 2017. Drawing from their Kentucky roots and Turner’s whisky-making heritage, they place a strong emphasis on the quality of bourbon casks used for aging their rums. They employ a secondary maturation process in bourbon, rye, and other casks, setting them apart with their cask management and blending expertise.
More great rums in the U.S. market elevate the category, and Rolling Fork is a key player in the recent explosion of American independent bottlers.
Down Island Spirits
One of the newer independent bottlers, Down Island Spirits, was founded by Mike Streeter in Florida. Their initial lineup included rums from Brazil, Ghana, Jamaica, and Paraguay. Mike actively seeks out underrepresented rums to bring to the U.S. market, always bottled at high proof with no additives.
Roaming Road
Founded in 2024 by Mike Gilmore, owner of Country Lane Liquor in Wyoming, Roaming Road is a new entrant into the IB scene. Drawing from years of experience selecting spirits for his store, Mike launched the brand with releases from Australia, Martinique, and Barbados.
Great Shearwater
Another new addition to the American IB landscape, Great Shearwater hails from Louisville, Kentucky. Their debut releases included rums from Trinidad (TDL) and Jamaica (Worthy Park). Like many independent bottlers, they focus on high-proof, no-additive rums.
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