New York Rum Fest reveals seminar agenda
The Rum Lab has revealed the seminar schedule for this year’s New York Rum Fest & Conference, scheduled for 5-6 June in Manhattan.
After two years in Brooklyn, the event returns to Manhattan, hosting the Grand Tasting on Saturday and seminar sessions at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea.
The ninth edition of the festival has already sold more than 300 tickets and expects to host over 500 visitors a day.
This year’s programming showcases a lineup of global experts and industry pioneers, according to the organiser.
The 2026 festival is sponsored by Rums of Puerto Rico, Planteray Rum, and Reàl Ingredients. Additionally, The Spirits Business has been confirmed as the festival’s official media sponsor.
Conference agenda
On 5 June, the Professional Conference will host five seminars at the Corporate Suites at 880 Third Avenue business centre.
The day starts at 12.30pm with a seminar focusing on independent bottlers, with Jeff Diego from Helmsman Imports and Joris Lincke from E&A Scheer confirmed as speakers.
At 1.30pm, ‘Full-Body White Rums Become Liquid Gold’ examines the ‘mezcal effect’ and the resurgence of ester-heavy premium white sipping rums with Diego and Eric Kaye, founder of Holmes Cay Rum.
‘Artemisia Private Barrel: The Art of Unifying Multiple Distilleries’ at 2.30pm offers a deep dive into the technical discovery of blending diverse rums. Larissa Arjona, president and co-founder of Women Leading Rum & Spirits, and Alexandre Gabriel, founder of Maison Ferrand and Planteray Rum, will lead the discussion.
At 3.30pm, ‘Boom, Bust, and Rebirth: Cycles in Distilled Spirits’ with Jennifer Yellin, co-founder and chief research officer of Flesh & Bone, Ramón Díaz from Rums of Puerto Rico, and The Rum Lab founder Federico J Hernández discusses the history of rum trends.
The conference’s last seminar at 4.30pm focuses on Planteray Extreme Series VI, hosted by Gabriel and Adrienne Stoner from Maison Ferrand.
Second day agenda
The Rum Festival & Grand Tasting Seminars on 6 June at the Metropolitan Pavilion will also cover five discussions.
At 1.45pm, ‘Drink Less, Drink Better’ with PM Spirits founder Nicolas Palazzi focuses on rare releases from the La Maison & Velier portfolio.
‘Costa Rica Single Estate Rum’ at 2.45pm offers a deep dive into the ‘power of assemblage, combining cane juice, molasses, and honey’, with Pierre Bardinet from Les Bienheureux and Nicoya Rum.
Maison Ferrand’s Gabriel and Women Leading Rum & Spirits’ Arjona, along with Otto Flores from Ron Barceló, are confirmed to host ‘The Unknown Frontier: Meet the First Angels’ seminar at 3.45pm.
At 4.45pm, the ‘Making Historical Rum for the Modern Era’ discussion will be led by Stoner from Maison Ferrand; Mitch Wilson, global brand ambassador of Black Tot Rum; and Raymond Edwards from Angostura Rum.
The last seminar, ‘Aguardiente: An Undiscovered Spirit,’ explores how contemporary branding and premium positioning are reshaping the spirit. Ricardo March, founder of Bacan Guaro, and José Brignoni from Aguardiente Antioqueño have been confirmed as speakers for the seminar.
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