5 Rum Brands Owned by Artists (Part Two)

In the last post, we talked about the first 5 rum brands owned by artists. And in this post, we will dive into a new list to keep discovering stories and fresh approaches to the industry. So, let’s get it started!

Ciara & Ten To One

Ciara has a goal, she wants to change the way people think about Rum! Interesting, doesn’t it? 

Well, she became an investor, co-owner, and director of the well-known rum brand Ten to One, joining Marc Farrell CEO of the enterprise.

The cocktail crafting art was what seduced her to get inside the industry. After a couple of months of breastfeeding, she had a Mojito, which was a game-changer experience for her. 

“Also, when I was 21, the first time I got to have my drink was rum. It’s always kinda had this special place in my life, to be honest.”, Ciara for The Rolling Stones Magazine.

About Ten to One

Ten To One is considered one of the most significant rum brands globally. It was founded in 2019 with the mission of not only creating exceptional products but also sharing a new rum narrative with its audience. One that can ground the spirit to this new era.

Ten to One Expressions

• Ten To One Dark Rum: It is a blend of 8-year-old Barbados and Dominican column still rums, combined with high-ester Jamaican pot still rum and Trinidadian rum. Aged in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, featuring notes of baking spice, banana peel, yellow apple, tobacco, cedar, nut loaf, and leather.
• Ten To One White Rum: It is an unaged blend of column still rum from the Dominican Republic with high ester pot still rum from Jamaica to feature notes of jasmine, honeysuckle, white pepper, and lemongrass.
• Ten To One Five Origin Select: It is a blend of rums aged up to 15 Years, from Guyana, Trinidad, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica, that features flavors like Crème Brûlée, Hazelnut, Baking Spice, Orange Zest, and Stewed Stone Fruits.

These award-winning rums are 100% without added sugar, coloring, or flavoring. 

Furthermore, Farrell said in an interview for The Rolling Stones in 2021 that even traditional rum-free drinks like Old Fashioned and Manhattans taste great with Ten To One. “Anything you can do, Rum can do better.” 

What do you think? Taste Ten To One here!

Kiss & Drink It Up

The famous and one of the bestselling rock band, KISS jumped into the world of spirits with Drink It Up, an official collaboration between the band and the internationally-recognized global beverage Swedish company Brands For Fans.

The group initially launched Drink It Up in Europe, Australia, and Japan. Later, they introduced their rum and gin products to the U.S. market through 25 states.

Expressions

The award-winning “Kollection” presents consumers with unfiltered rums to ensure the intensity of character is retained. All of the blends are inspired by the iconic songs of the band.

• KISS Black Diamond Premium Dark Rum: Taking its name and character from the closing song on KISS’s 1974 debut album, this one is a blend of Caribbean cask rums aged up to 15 years and bottled at 40%. On palate, it brings flavors like dried apricots, vanilla, nuts, dried dates, vanilla fudge, cinnamon, and chocolate.

• KISS Detroit Rock Premium Dark Rum: With its name from the classic ‘Detroit Rock City’, this premium rum is based on a selection of the finest Dominican rum casks aged between 8 and 15 years, featuring flavors like arrack, dark chocolate, apricot, dried figs, nuts, butterscotch, and orange.

• KISS Monstrum Ultra Premium Rum: Named after the Latin word for “monster”, this one is a blend of rums from Guyana and Jamaica, aged for over 14 years in ancient arrack leggers, a special edition of 800-liter oak casks. It does not contain any added sugars or flavoring.

The band members are involved in the development of the product design to deliver fans and consumers high-quality rock-inspired experiences with every sip.

Get your Kollection here, drinkitupbykiss.com

Chris Blackwell & Blackwell

Through the years, the international music icon and entrepreneur Chris Blackwell has been key to the development of culture, especially bringing the soul of Jamaica to the whole world. 

After his long past through cultural businesses, in 2008, he decided to launch Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum.

This brand is a tribute to his family history, inspiration, and love for Jamaica. He was born into a family long-settled in Jamaica who exported bananas, coconuts, and rum since 1625. 

“A Rum to savour, to share, to make time fly, to make the sun shine, to make the best ideas flow. Rum – and bass – as the very best way to end the day.” – Chris Blackwell, Blackwell Founder

So, he channeled his passion for his heritage to craft a deep, flavorful, and aromatic rum, that symbolizes the essence of the island.

Expressions

• Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum: For this product, he has collaborated with renowned advertising guru, Richard Kirshenbaum to bring a rum made from Jamaican sugarcane.

• Blackwell 007 Editions: Blackwell is the owner of Ian Fleming’s former residence, GoldenEye. Due to his connection, he has launched Blackwell 007 Limited Edition, a dark rum, and the Blackwell 007 60th Anniversary Collector’s Edition.

Get yours here!

Mike Love & Club Kokomo

A couple of years ago, the musician Mike Love enjoyed his favorite drink, a mojito, with his wife in New York City. But this one brought to his senses the word “Kokomo”, the name of the Beach Boys 80’s top hit. The joy of the moment inspired the concept of starting a rum brand.

To bring it to reality, Mike told the idea to Geoff Longenecker, and alongside the know-how of Seven Caves Spirits, Geoff distillery, Club Kokomo was born bringing award-winning products like the next ones: 

Expressions

• Barrel Finished Rum: It features a proprietary blend of 8 and 10-year-old Jamaican, Barbadian, and Dominican rums, aged in new oak, ex-whiskey, and port casks. Blended by Geoff Longenecker and finished in Bourbon barrels, delivering notes of vanilla, caramel, stone fruit, and whiskey.

• Artisanal White Rum: This blend of Demerara cane sugar rum distilled on-site and traditional Jamaican pot still rum offers hints of honey, pineapple, melon, and mango.

• Tahitian Vanilla Rum: It is a tribute to Tahiti and the Caribbean. Fragrantly ripe whole Tahitian vanilla beans rest with the Artisan White Rum to impart the flavor without added sugars or flavoring.

If you want to be part of Club Kokomo, explore all of its products, and share news stories, click here!

Eric Winter & Palm Republic

During a trip to Puerto Rico to meet his wife’s family (Roselyn Sánchez), the actor Eric Winter discovered his passion for rum. 

With his partner, Brad Parkes, whose family has been in the alcohol business since the 70s, Winter decided to bring premium rum to the American market with Palm Republic.

Palm Republic infuses the local character of the Caribbean and Latin America into a liquid using high-quality ingredients.

Expressions

• Palm Republic Silver Rum: It is distilled in Jamaica and the US Virgin Islands, featuring hints of pineapple and lime.
• Palm Republic Aged Rum: It is a blend of rum distilled in Panama, Jamaica, and the US Virgin Islands, aged up to 8 years in sherry casks, delivering flavors of dark chocolate, caramel, and molasses.

The quality of Palm Republic rums comes from their unique blend, combining the best flavors from across the Caribbean and Latin America in a single glass.

Both silver and aged rums could be enjoyed on their own, and, when combined in a cocktail, elevate the drink to a new level. 

If you want to create your concoctions with Palm Republic, click here.

“Why rum?” some people may ask. Our response: “Why not rum?”

Launching a rum brand is a complex challenge in a market with a lot of competitors, but if you look closely, what makes each one different is that there is always an enchanted story behind every single company or collaboration. 

There are not just products, but vibes, family, experiences, tradition, or love. 

So, we may ask, What is rum to you? Let us know in our Instagram community! And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to get these articles right in your inbox!