News / Don’t panic! The rum’s not running out
THE PRODUCERS of Stewart’s Fine Old Demerara Rum have reassured worried customers in Shetland that the popular beverage should be back in production within “a few weeks”.
Consumers of the dark rum, which counts the isles as its main market, have been left disappointed over the last month or so after bottling issues made supplies in Shetland run dry.
Some locals even indulged in a spot of panic-buying in an effort to stock up on the spirit after rumours spread that the brand might be discontinued.
The rum, which has an alcohol strength of 40 per cent, has been sold by Lerwick based company Hughson Brothers since 1993.
It seems reports of the drink’s demise, however, have been greatly exaggerated.
Hughson Brothers director Drew Tulloch said this week that he expects production to resume soon.
The problem occurred when their bottlers shut up shop, but now a new company has been drafted in, Tulloch said.
“The people we’ve had bottling it for a quite a number of years discontinued that service, so this is what introduced the delay,” he confirmed.
“However, we have made arrangements with new people and we’re just waiting for a date from them for when it’s going to be ready. It should be within in the next few weeks.”
Tulloch added that Hughson Brothers are not resting on their laurels when it comes to getting the product back on the market.
“We sell substantial quantities of it, so we’re as keen as anybody to get it going again.”
A trip to Lerwick’s popular off-licence The Wine Shop this week showed their shelves to be completely devoid of the full sized bottles.
However, there are still some half bottles left ahead of the weekend. Staff said that they were due to receive more stock of the “very popular” drink this week – a promise that has yet to materialise.
Stewarts Rum was originally made in Edinburgh in the early 1800s by Shetland brothers John and George Stewart, who formed their own popular recipe.
Hughson Brothers bought the brand back in 1993 and have been selling the drink ever since.
Its affinity with Shetland has often seen thirsty ex-pats request the drink in pubs on the UK mainland, with Hughson Brothers sometimes shipping stock south.
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