News / Spirits lift as Stewarts Rum flows again
RUM drinkers in Shetland are celebrating the best Friday night they’ve had in months after their favourite tipple finally returned to the isles following a long break.
Local wholesalers Hughson Brothers shipped 11 pallets of their popular Stewart’s Fine Old Demerara Rum into the isles on Friday morning – the first time the drink has been seen since April.
Rumours had been spreading that the strong, sweet spirit had dried up for good, but they were allayed when it emerged that the drought was caused by its bottlers no longer handling the product.
Forced to look elsewhere, Hughsons discovered a new bottler in Cheshire, but production was further delayed while they introduced them to the fine art of putting the finishing touches to flavouring and colouring the beverage with caramel.
The whole process starts with demerara sugar shipped from Guyana on South America’s north east coast to Holland where it is distilled into rum before being brought to Britain for testing and tasting.
Hughson’s sales manager Nathan Cross said he had no idea how popular the rum was in Shetland and beyond until the company ran dry. But there’s no reason he should have been in the dark about it, as it’s his own favourite drink.
“I haven’t had any rum for months because I couldn’t get it; I didn’t even want to try another brand,” he said.
By Friday evening the Co-op and several small shops in Lerwick were already selling the drink and reporting steady trade.
But demand is coming from further afield as well. “I have people in Aberdeen and further south who have been asking me to find a way for them to stock it,” Cross said.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.