Co-Founder of Palm Republic: ERIC WINTER

Eric Winter is an accomplished actor, producer, investor, and now co-founder of Palm Republic. Palm Republic is the fruition of a dream of Eric’s that began 20 years ago, when his passion for rum was born during a fateful trip to Puerto Rico.

TRL: What does the rum mean to you? What made you fall in love with rum and when did it happen?
To me, rum represents a lifestyle; life’s beautiful complexities, and reminds me of some of my favorite memories on vacation. I fell in love with rum almost 20 years ago when I went to meet my now in-laws in Puerto Rico for the first time. They introduced me to rum as we sat around and got to know each other. It was then that I got to appreciate the nuances of premium rum and I started to explore rums from different regions. It also symbolized a moment of two very different cultures coming together for something special.

TRL: Three essential characteristics that define the rum according to your perspective.
Flavor, Complexity and Full Bodied.

TRL: What is the most important contribution you have made in the rum industry?
With Palm Republic, we are trying to elevate the entire industry and recruit new drinkers. For a long time, the rum category has been stale. We want to breathe fresh life into the entire category and make rum cool again – we want to show that rum can be upscale, classy, and complex.

TRL: Benefits that the rum industry has given you.
This has been such a fun project to bring to life. I’ve always loved rum but was tired of the state of the category–characterized by old, dusty packaging with pirate ships and maps. We wanted to upgrade rum, make it classy, but still keep the fun-loving spirit of rum alive.

TRL: What’s another thing you are passionate about besides rum? Why?
I’m passionate about my family, travel, and bringing people together, which is also a big part of what I do as an actor and producer.

TRL: What is your favorite place for drinking rum?
The obvious answer is a beach bar! But rum has so many more applications than a summer at the coast. Palm Republic Aged Rum has the aged characteristics of a whiskey or bourbon, and Palm Republic Silver Rum is light and refreshing, like a vodka or tequila, but with so much more flavor. Being that it appeals widely to so many flavor profiles, it can–and we wanted it to be thought about anywhere you’d drink anything else. 

TRL: Favorite drink + Recipe
Smokey Old Republic–which is our take on an Old Fashioned.

Ingredients:
• 2 oz Palm Republic Aged Rum
• 1 tsp Simple Syrup
• 2 tsp water
• 3-4 dashes Bitters

Garnish (Optional):
• Orange Zest
• Cocktail cherry

Glassware:
Rocks glass

Instructions:
• Combine ingredients in a glass with ice and stir to mix well.
• Pour mixture over an enormous cube of ice in a rock glass.

For a smokey hint, add cedar chips and a cocktail smoker with the finished mixture.

TRL: Why is it important to educate the rum consumer?
The average consumer thinks of rum as an overly sweetened, spiced spirit with not a lot of characters–something that has to be mixed with a ton of fruit juice. The complexities of nice rum rival any other spirit on the shelf. Additionally, I don’t think there is a more fun spirit–the lifestyle, imagery, and thoughts that come along with rum always take the consumer to a great space.

TRL: Any tips to train the palate and taste a good premium rum?
First, forget everything you think you know about rum and go into the tasting with a totally open mind. We’ve had so many people that have said, ‘Oh wow, this is rum?’ after they’ve tasted Palm Republic. Our aged product is 92 proof, which would be considered strong, but with a sweeter finish. It’s totally smooth. The slightly sweeter finish that is unique to rum allows you to really taste and think about the different flavor notes because you’re not consumed with the burn that you are with a lot of spirits. 

TRL: How can the rum contribute to improving the crisis in some countries?
Whether it’s rum or any other business, we see successful organizations having the obligation to help wherever they can. Obviously, there are endless organizations that do really good work. We chose to partner with Tunnels to Towers. It’s a charitable organization that gives back 96% of every dollar to their cause – which is paying off homes for the families of fallen first responders. They are incredibly efficient with their giving and serve a good cause. I’m currently on ABC’s The Rookie and I’ve gotten to know several police and firefighters firsthand as they help train our cast – so it’s been great to be able to work with an organization that supports them so strongly.

TRL: Is the commitment to sustainable development the key of success for the permanence of the rum industry in the world? Why?
Sustainable development is important in any industry. Anything that uses natural resources and manpower to create should be done in a responsible and ethical way. I think that the key is to grow awareness and interest in the rum category – this brings more funding and more players into the game, so issues like sustainability can be very efficiently addressed.

TRL: Who would like to meet in the rum industry? What would you say to him/her?
We’ve met so many great people in the rum and spirits industry just in our short journey so far. I’m so thankful for all the advice, introduction, and guidance they’ve been so generous with. I’m not sure there is a specific person that I’d like to meet. I love talking and interacting with anyone who is enthusiastic about rum. The main thing I try to relay to anyone who is excited about rum is that we appreciate their support of the category, and we share their optimism about the category really taking off in the near future.

TRL: What are your next goals in the rum industry?
My next goals in rum are to continue to bring other great blends to market from different cultures, as well as to help elevate the category in a way similar to that of bourbon and tequila in the US. There is so much to offer in premium rum and so much to share.

TRL: Plans you have when you leave the rum industry.
When I leave the rum industry, I will be continuing my career in entertainment while also looking for another business venture to build up.

TRL: Why is the role of the bartender important in the rum industry?
Bartenders are so critical, as their recommendations to consumers are typically acted on. This is important in a smaller category, like rum, where it is probably not a consumer’s ‘go-to’ bar order. However, if a bartender is passionate about rum or passionate about a brand, it gives the consumer a reason to try something that they normally wouldn’t. The great thing about the rum category is that rum is so mixable and has a familiarity with cocktails. The next step is getting consumers to try it neat, on the rocks, etc. so they can appreciate the spirit and it doesn’t get overtaken by mixers.

TRL: What is your advice for new generations in the rum industry?
Stay curious, never stop asking questions, and believe in your product. Just because someone doesn’t drink rum yet, doesn’t mean they never will. Rum can be just as prestigious and classy as any bourbon or tequila – we (in the rum industry) need to act that way and not allow other categories to overshadow the potential that rum has.

TRL: How can people learn more about you? Website? Social media page?
www.palmrepublicrum.com
IG: @PalmRepublicRum
FB: @PalmRepublicRum
X: @PalmRepublicRum
TikTok: @PalmRepublicRum