Co-founder of Cane Rum Society: DUANE SHEPHERD

TRL: Who is Duane Shepherd?

I am the Co-founder of the Cane Rum Society in Stockholm, Sweden, which boasts the largest rum collection in Europe, where customers can come to try rums from all around the world that are not easily accessible to everyone. We stock rums from all major rum brands and independent bottlers that our guests can come and taste by the centiliter.

I was born on the island of Trinidad & Tobago, a twin republic state, and grew up in the capital Port of Spain but moved to London in my early teens to broaden my horizons. I have worked with rum for the best part of 3 decades in the UK and started a drinks consultancy business back in 2002, which allowed me to work with a few major rum brands through bartender advocacy and experiential marketing. I moved to Sweden in 2013 with my Swedish wife (Elin). I had the opportunity to open Cane Rum Society with my business partner Niklas Blomqúist showcasing Caribbean cuisine and rum to a European clientele.

TRL: What does the rum mean to you? What made you fall in love with rum and when did it happen?

Rum means a lot to me as I was first introduced to it at a very early age (16) when I owned my first restaurant directly opposite Angostura Distillery on Eastern Main Road in Trinidad. And this was when I truly fell in love with rum. Rum has allowed me to travel the world and meet like-minded people. Rum can bring people together from all walks of life and give them memories to cherish for the rest of their lives… People always ask me what my favorite rum is and I will always say it is the rum in my glass as there’s a rum for every occasion, either in a cocktail or sipping with friends or strangers. Rum brings people together.

TRL:  Three essential characteristics that define the rum according to your perspective.

Three essential characteristics that define rum in my perspective, first and foremost is the style of rum, as people have different tastes, so rum style matters a lot. Secondly, would be the master distiller as each master distiller will have their unique way of crafting their rum for us to enjoy. Thirdly would be the aging process as this can be done using various types and sizes of wood barrels to impart flavor on the finished product.

TRL:  What is the most important contribution you have made in the rum industry?

I have had the privilege of working with many International rum brands over the years with my time living in the UK, but since moving to Sweden, I would have to say that it is opening the Cane Rum Society. The idea behind Cane Rum Society was to be able to give our guests access to rums that they would not have normally been able to source themselves. We also conduct weekly rum tastings, so we get to educate our guests on the history, brand ethos, production techniques, and aging process connected to this wonderful spirit. Cane Rum Society has the largest rum collection in Europe, with most of our rums available for our guests to try. We have well over 2500 bottles in stock.

TRL: Benefits that the rum industry has given you.

 I have been able to travel the world to see distilleries and meet & talk to the people who work behind the scenes and get first-hand knowledge of how they make their spirit unique. I can also count a few master distillers, and global & local brand ambassadors to some iconic international rum brands as friends which sometimes can come in handy when you are trying to source a rare bottle or limited edition expression.

TRL: What is my favorite place for drinking rum?

There is no better place for drinking rum than in a rum shop in the Caribbean meeting the locals, playing dominoes, and talking cricket with your friends.

TRL: Favorite drink + Recipe

I always think that the easiest drink to make can also be the easiest drink to mess up, but my go-to drink when I walk into any cocktail bar is a classic Daiquiri, ratio of 5.2.1

TRL: Why is it important to educate the rum consumer?

I have always been an advocate for educating consumers & bartenders alike, and this is why, at Cane Rum Society, we host so many rum tastings as it allows us to educate. I think with knowledge the consumer or bartender will then have the knowledge to go about and make an educated choice on the rum they would want to try or serve by being able to look at the bottle and get the relevant information off the label…I think rum brands are becoming more transparent in their labelling which is making it a bit easier for the consumer to make choices.

TRL: What are your next goals in the rum industry?

Watch this space!!

TRL: How can people learn more about you?

www.canerumsociety.com