Women Leading Spirits Presents New Identity and NY Rum Fest 2026 Program

Women Leading Spirits (WLS) marks a key moment in its evolution with the launch of its new name and visual identity, alongside the announcement of its official program for the New York Rum Festival & Conference 2026. These milestones reflect WLS’s expanding global role and its commitment to leadership, education, and representation within the spirits industry. 

WLS’s transition from Women Leading Rum & Spirits to Women Leading Spirits responds to the organization’s natural growth. While rum remains a core pillar, its community, training programs, and international partnerships now span the full spectrum of spirits. The new name and visual identity—developed in collaboration with Studio Guild, 2nd place winner at the Dieline Awards in New York—represent a more global, contemporary, and versatile platform. 

“This change reflects who we are today and where we are headed,” said Larissa Arjona, President and Co‑Founder of WLS. 

Studio Guild’s CEO, Trish Dunstone, added: “Designing this new identity has been an honor. Women Leading Spirits represents the future of the industry.” 

WLS also confirms its participation in New York Rum Fest 2026, where it will host two exclusive seminars and the festival’s official Welcome Cocktail. 

Seminar 1: Artemisia Private Barrel: The Art of Unifying Multiple Distilleries into One Blend (Barge 166 Selection) | June 5th, 2026 — 2:30 PM

Women Leading Spirits will open its agenda with Artemisia Private Barrel, the collaborative project with Maison Ferrand that demonstrates how rums from multiple origins can converge into a single, unified blend. The session will outline the integration of diverse profiles—Planteray XO, Abuelo 12, Tepuy Destino, Botran 18, Arehucas 12, Barceló Imperial, Bacardí Diez and Millonario XO—assembled through precise proportions and successive tastings. 

Speakers: 

• Larissa Arjona, President & Co‑Founder, Women Leading Spirits; Export Marketing Manager, Ron Abuelo
• Alexandre Gabriel, Master Blender & CEO, Maison Ferrand

Welcome Cocktail: Hosted by Women Leading Spirits | June 5th, 2026 — 7:00 PM | (RSVP Only)

Women Leading Spirits will host the festival’s official Welcome Cocktail, an exclusive gathering for producers, ambassadors, brand leaders, and industry professionals. The event

is supported by Ron Abuelo Panamá, Planteray Rum, Ron Barceló, and Bacan Guaro, reinforcing the commitment of partner brands to education and visibility within the global rum community. 

Seminar 2: The Unknown Frontier: Meet the First Angels — Become Part of the Angel’s Share | June 6th, 2026 — 3:45 PM | Metropolitan Pavilion

The second seminar will take attendees into the rarely revealed moment when an unreleased rum meets its first “angels.” The session explores how a young spirit begins to define its identity, inviting the audience to symbolically step into the Angel’s Share. 

Speakers: 

• Larissa Arjona, President & Co‑Founder, Women Leading Spirits; Export Marketing Manager, Ron Abuelo
• Alexandre Gabriel, Master Blender & CEO, Maison Ferrand
• Otto Flores, Global Head of Ambassadors, Ron Barceló
• Daniel Fábrega, Vice President, Ron Abuelo

With this agenda, Women Leading Spirits reaffirms its commitment to innovation, education, and representation in the rum industry. From the technical exploration of Artemisia to the sensory immersion of The Unknown Frontier, WLS continues to build spaces where knowledge, diversity, and collaboration shape the future of rum. 

Get your tickets NOW! https://newyorkrumfest.com/

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