Rum Connoisseur
Interview of The Week

BRIDGET FIRTLE

Founder of Owney’s Rum

 

1. Who is Bridget Firtle?

Bridget Firtle is a native New Yorker descended from a long line of Brooklyn based small business owners. Raised in Rockaway Beach, Queens with a once bustling speakeasy for a basement, she became enamored with the allure of spirits culture at an early age. After completing a Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA in Finance, Bridget worked as a securities analyst for several years at a hedge fund where she developed a niche in global alcoholic beverage investing. There, she gained an even greater appreciation for boutique spirits, and for the revolution occurring in American distilling.

In 2012, inspired by history and a vision to bring rum distilling back to her hometown of New York City, Bridget made the leap from Wall Street and founded The Noble Experiment NYC, coupling her love of rum with her entrepreneurial dreams. Within the first year of operating the first exclusive rum distillery in New York in 90+ years, Bridget began receiving national recognition, including securing a spot on the coveted Forbes 30 under 30 list. Since then, Owney’s Distillers Reserve has been widely acknowledged and awarded for its quality within the food & beverage industry. Most recently, Bridget was named one of the Imbibe Magazine 75 people to watch.

2. Biggest achievement you personally feel you have accomplish for the rum industry.

I don’t think one person can move a mountain – it takes a village. There are a great number of people in today’s day working towards premiumizing the US rum category through hard work, dedication and education. Not mention, creating great spirits! I think it takes the collaborative efforts of a whole group of people to move the movement and change misperceptions in the rum world. This grass roots movement is in effect, as we speak, has many legs and will continue to accomplish great things for the industry.

I guess if I had to be most proud of one of my accomplishments it would have to be bringing rum distilling back to New York City – my hometown and its birthplace in the US. As a native New Yorker, that’s killer.

 

3. What made you fall in love with rum and when did it happen?

As previously mentioned, I was an investor in global alcoholic beverages on Wall Street. A lot of our meetings and entertainment would occur in restaurants with cocktail programs at the beginning of the modern resurgence in the culture. I remember trying a Hemingway daiquiri for the first time and being blown away! That night kick started my exploration into rum cocktails and inevitably into different types of rum from different regions of the world. That interest was cultivated alongside my keen following of the American distilling movement. A perfect storm of a love of rum, a trend in American distilling driven by changing legislation and a new consumer, the romanticism of history and entrepreneurial dreams erupted and here I am!

 

4. What is that thing that makes you want to continue in the rum industry?

Once you get into the rum business, why would you ever leave?

On a serious note, I have been all in on this industry since I jumped ship from a very lucrative and exciting job on Wall Street to pursue a dream on crafting awesome rum and helping to change consumer perception of the category. Those dreams are a continuous evolution – the sky is the limit!

 

5. Favorite Drink + Recipe

Classic Daiquiri

2 oz Owney’s Rum

0.75 oz Fresh Lime Juice

0.75 oz Simple Syrup

Shake with ice and strain into coupe

 

6. Where do you see the rum industry today and in the next 5 years?

The overall US rum industry is currently in decline, but this is not a bad thing! Although the market is in decline, the premium segment within the market is growing nicely. This means premium, higher quality rums are taking share from the major commercial mainstream and often lower quality rums of the past. I think this trend is here to stay and will continue over the next 5 years. I believe the premium rum segment will continue to take share from the industrial products of yesterday and become a larger piece of the overall market. We can thank rum advocates, the continued trends in cocktail culture, a willing tradesperson and consumer for supporting the growth in quality rums!

 

7. What do you think needs to happen to grow the premium category of rum?

Investment in Consumer Education from both a time and money perspective. The good news is that we are currently experiencing a proliferation in the premium rum category with new products coming to market every day. Moreover, behind these new products are smart, passionate people on a mission to spread the good rum word. Fortunately, on the receiving end we have interest from both the trade and the consumer markets and a booming interest in cocktails.

It is really a matter of time, marketing dollars, and energy to continue educating people on the nuances of premium rum and how to enjoy it!

 

8. Share some (2-3) of your mentors and how they have help you.

My 2 biggest and most important mentors have always been my parents. They are extremely intelligent business people and have not only been trained at the academic level but have been in and out of their own successful entrepreneurial endeavors for their adult lives.

When I decided to leave my fancy loft and an extremely coveted and glamorous career to build a rum distillery in Brooklyn – they welcomed me back to their home with tremendous emotional and financial (I lived rent free with free meals) support. However, most importantly, their business perceptive and professional support helped me execute on my vision. Whether it be critiquing my business plan, helping me negotiate with stakeholders, questioning my decisions, providing a sounding board for my ideas, mopping floors after a burst pipe or jumping in to help label bottles when we received some of those initial orders – there is absolutely no way I would be here today without their help and guidance!

 

9. What 3-5 things do you have in your bucket list for the next 12 month?

-We recently launched a new blend of our Original Owney’s and a 2-year cask aged, sugar cane juice based rum from the Dominican Republic. It is currently being rolled out nationally and I hope to be on the road lots; continuing to develop and foster growth in new markets.

-Visit more Caribbean Rum Distilleries for inspiration – next up are Jamaica and Barbados – perhaps via boat?

-Hold a forearm stand for a minute without the wall

 

10. Any last words?

Drink More Rum!

 

11. How can people learn more about you? Website? Social Media Page

Owney’s Social Media + Site:

www.owneys.com

@owneysrum

www.facebook.com/OwneysRum

My Personal Handle: @motherofowneys