What’s on in South Devon 2024: Our Events Roundup
Thanks to our lively local communities, there’s an impressive programme of annual events in South Devon, from quirky village...
by Maria Makepeace / News
We had the pleasure to discuss all things rum-tastic with Devon Rum Co., a remarkable local spirit blending company, who we’re excited to call our Island Street office neighbour.
From rum recipes to their must-try tasting experience, our Q&A delves into the artistry behind their unique creations, and uncovers the stories that make their spirits truly exceptional
Established in 2020 by Dave Seear, Devon Rum Co. was created to share the joy of artisan rum with the world. From day one, we set out to create a unique range of craft rums that focus on premium ingredients, full-bodied flavours, and strong environmental ethics.
We’re not actually a distillery – we’re spirit blenders! This means we’ve worked tirelessly with some of the world’s finest Caribbean rum distilleries to create a completely unique blend of pot and column-distilled rums that is exclusive to Devon Rum Co.
When our unique rum base arrives in Salcombe, we blend it with soft Devonian spring water that bubbles up from a natural spring just a few short miles from Start Point. Then, our team carefully selects only the finest natural ingredients – such as whole aromatic spices, fresh citrus zest, and even local honey – ready to flavour our rums.
Once these fresh ingredients are prepared, they sit and steep in the rum in small batches, allowing the full-bodied flavours from the spices and citrus to infuse with the liquid. Finally, our artisan rums are filtered and bottled by hand in our Blending House on Island Street, allowing our team to check that every bottle is perfect.
We’re proud to say that our entire range of award-winning artisan rums are hand-crafted at our Blending House on Island Street in Salcombe.
With its laid-back lifestyle, rolling hills, and stunning coastlines, Devon is the perfect location for a rum brand! The county also has an interesting and long-standing history with rum that dates way back to the 18th century; when Devon’s ports were awash with the drink thanks to traders, sailors, and smugglers.
In fact, some even believe that the origins of the word ‘rum’ are connected to the Devonshire word “rumbullion” – meaning a great tumult/uproar.
From day one, we set out to create truly unique liquids that would only add to the amazing offering already available to rum fans in the UK. To achieve this, our team invests a great amount of time developing our blends, discovering new pairings, and perfecting flavours.
We went through more than 20 rounds of testing before perfecting our new Black Spiced Rum. Our team worked meticulously to find the perfect balance of rich black strap molasses, complimentary aromatic spices, and sweetness. The result has already received great praise from our followers, and we can’t wait to share it with more rum drinkers moving forward.
There are a few things that set us apart from the rest. First and foremost, we are the only rum brand to ever win back-to-back Taste of the West Gold Awards three years in a row. This achievement highlights the quality of our products and the very high standards we’re proud to maintain.
As a Devon-based brand, we are also very proud to say that we’ve been operating as a 100% plastic free and carbon negative business since 2020. To operate as sustainably as possible, we also support several local projects, including Till the Coast is Clear – a community interest charity that focusses on clearing plastic waste from Devon’s coastlines.
We also don’t take ourselves too seriously! Rum is meant to be fun, and we like to think we share this with our customers at events, online, and anywhere else they might find us.
All our award-winning rums are special in their own way, but our Honey Spiced Rum often receives the most praise. This unique spirit features light floral notes, with undertones of spicy cardamom and fruity raisins. It finishes with the sweet taste of local Devon wildflower honey, twists of fresh lemon zest, and a generous pinch of allspice.
It’s best served over ice with a slice of lemon, or as a taller drink with lighter mixers such as an elderflower tonic, ginger ale, or lemonade.
Rum is one of the most versatile spirits in the world, which makes it a real crowd pleaser when it comes to signature serves and cocktails! Of course, there’s always the classic rum and coke, but our personal favourite for a quick and easy serve would be our Devon Stormy:
Add ice, ginger beer, lime juice, and bitters to a glass.
Float your spiced rum over the ginger beer and finish by garnishing with a fresh wedge of lime.
For a cocktail, we’re all big fans of our Espresso Rumtini – a rum-fuelled take on the popular Espresso Martini!
Add rum, coffee liqueur, bitters, and ice to a cocktail shaker.
Shake well and double strain into a classic martini glass. Garnish with a few coffee beans and enjoy!
Our Rum Tasting Experience is a big hit with rum fans all over the country! It grants guests the opportunity to get a real understanding of how we’re crafting our rums, while treating them to a tutored tasting with our in-house experts.
Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a welcome drink, selected from our Signature Serve Menu. This exclusive menu features the perfect pairings for each of our four award-winning rums, including our new ‘Devon Sunset’ cocktail: a balanced blend of our Black Spiced Rum, fresh lime juice, and refreshing ginger ale.
With drinks in-hand, guests are guided through a short history of rum, before taking a tour of our Blending House, where the process of making rum is explained in detail and they can try their hand at bottling.
Finally, guests are welcomed back to the tasting table, where an experienced member of our team will guide them through a full tutored tasting of our entire range of award-winning spirits.
Guests will be taught how to taste spirits like a professional, as they smell and sip their way through our Premium Golden Rum, Premium Spiced Rum, Black Spiced Rum, and Honey Spiced Rum. This interactive tasting experience encourages conversation, with our team helping guests to identify tasting notes and the best drinks pairings along the way.
After the tasting, guests are invited to share a few more drinks at our waterside bar, before enjoying a special 10% saving off everything in our fully stocked rum store.
Sessions last approximately 60 minutes and can be booked for £40 per person online today!
There’s not one big, over-arching achievement that defines us. Rather, we like to celebrate the individual moments that our spirits create for our customers.
As an artisan brand that proudly hand-crafts every bottle of rum we sell, there’s no better feeling than the look on someone’s face when they try our drinks for the first time and fall in love with the flavours.
We are always experimenting with new and exciting flavours, so who knows what we might add to our range next!
Now that we have our Blending House and Bar in Salcombe, we are also excited to be working on a whole host of unique events for run fans and holiday makers to enjoy. Watch this space…
With so many things to see and do in Salcombe, it’s no wonder the town is a popular holiday destination all-year round. From rum tasting at Devon Rum Co. to enjoying a plethora of beautiful walks, and exploring the idyllic estuary, you won’t be short of activities in the local area!
Book a Salcombe holiday cottage today for your family holiday, group getaway or romantic retreat. Our exclusive collection of self-catering properties offers something for all ages and interests (waggly tails included!), with enviable access to South Devon‘s most picturesque spots.
by Maria Makepeace / News
I love the South West and ensuring visitors to the region have the best experience possible. That's why I love sharing local tips ...
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