26.2.2013 Olli Hietalahti, Ron de Jeremy
I hope we have been able to bring more fun into the rum category. The essence of Ron de Jeremy brand is the smile. We do our best to make people smile twice. First when they meet the brand, and second time when they taste the rum. I’ve been lucky to witness this hundreds of times. First the reaction, “haha Ron Jeremy has a rum brand, that’s hilarious!” And then, “holy shit, this tastes great!”
I’m old fashioned and like the classics. So rum Old Fashioned with Ron de Jeremy Reserva for me. OF is such an easy drink to make but to make it perfect requires dedication and skill.
I see rum having enormous, although untapped potential. It is such a versatile category from party driven spiced rums up to exquisite sipping rums. I see rum becoming bit more serious and shedding the low quality image it somewhat has. There are more and more great offerings from small producers and more innovative brands coming up. I hope and trust people will trade up from cheap low quality rums. Which is great, we’re in with other small brands to bite the big boys a little bit. Just a little bit from Bacardi and Captain Morgan will do us just fine.
Luis Ayala was great help when we first came out. I remember sitting in his living room in Austin surrounded with bookshelves containing close to 1000 different rum bottles. He thought us about the styles, origins, aging, everything. He also held our hands during the first productions and has been reliable source of help ever since.
Don Pancho Fernandez produced our first blends. He has enormous experience and unparallel nose. What a great old school gentleman.
Duncan Hayter, our European Sales Director is has long and extensive experience on the spirits sales. He has taught us a great deal of the business side and his vast network of connections has been invaluable.
Last but not least I’d like to mention my partner in crime Jouko Laune. We came up with the idea of Ron de Jeremy brand together, founded the company and did everything from zero. To work with someone you can trust 110% is priceless.
Believe in yourself and your ideas. Most importantly have fun!
Olli Hietalahti is an ex ad guy turned into spirits entrepreneur. After a long and awarded advertising career he and his partner came up with the idea for Ron de Jeremy rum brand and created One Eyed Spirits. Ron de Jeremy Rum is now available in 25 countries and has won multiple awards in competitions. His goal is to have a spirits company with portfolio of innovative brands that share a pop culture twist. Few ideas are currently bubbling under.
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