RumFest UK 2014 to have greater trade focus

RumFest, the UK’s largest dedicated rum festival, has announced a greater trade-focus when it returns to London in October this year.

The eighth annual industry and consumer event will take place in new venue – the ILEC – on Friday 10 to Sunday 12 October.

In order to greater engage spirits trade members, the festival will host an exclusive taster of global rum ambassador Ian Burrel’s Rum Experience University – an course designed to give bartenders and enthusiasts a “quality rum experience”.

A new event called Boutique RumFest will also showcase new and independent rum brands, while visitors in possession of new £5 ‘golden tot tokens’ will be able to sample some of the festivals “most exquisite offerings”.

Visitors to the festivals will have the opportunity to taste 400 different blends from around the world, as well as attend seminars, master classes and workshops.

“This year’s RumFest sees a welcome move to celebrate the changes we are seeing within the category with a rise in the premiumisation of rum and it’s growing popularity,” said Ian Burrell, global rum ambassador and founder of The RumFest.

“The RumFest aims to help embrace these developments by providing an opportunity for industry and consumers to experience something extra special and giving these rums the platform to showcase these changes.”

Tickets priced £49.95 are now on sale and are available with more information from the UK RumFest website.