Alnwick Rum History

'The Legendary' Alnwick Rum is based on a unique old recipe first produced in Alnwick Brewery Co. over 90 years ago. Lost for over 20 years, the recipe for this distinguished dark rum was rediscovered by Ian Linsley of Alnwick, son of the last Managing Director of the Alnwick Brewing Co.

The resurrected company is still based in Alnwick and is searching for replacement premises after the old brewery was demolished, despite its listed status, in the 1980s. Development of the new Brewery and Distillery in Alnwick will allow the blending and bottling of Alnwick Rum to finally return to Northumberland. Until then the aged Guyanan and Jamaican rums which give Alnwick Rum its distinctive full round character are expertly blended in Holland and the resulting Alnwick-approved blend bottled in Scotland. Allowing the legend to live on!

History of the Alnwick Rum Co.

It is believed that Alnwick Rum was first produced by the Alnwick Brewery during the First World War, however once the government began introducing punitive duty to the industry, it became financially uneconomic to continue.

Over subsequent years various bonded warehouses around the country were used for the blending. As is the case today, the duty only became payable once the rum left these warehouses.

The Alnwick Rum Company was first registered by Ian Linsley's father as a limited company in 1966. At this time it was associated with Alnwick Brewery Company Limited, which began trading in the 1860's and was registered as a limited company with the introduction of the Companies Act of 1890.

Alnwick Brewery and the rum company were taken over by Drybroughs Brewery in July 1978. Alnwick Brewery ceased trading in 1986 by which time the rum company had already lapsed.

After Ian's father's death in April 2001, the original rum recipes were found amongst his papers, and the inspiration was found to revive a once thriving concern.

Having already unsuccessfully attempted to acquire the limited company some time earlier Ian was delighted to find it had become available at the beginning of 2003. He was able to re-register Alnwick Rum Company Limited and acquire the appropriate URLs.

Then began the complicated process of finding a suitable blender to revive the product. When this was at last achieved Ian was then in a position to breathe new life into the rum, which is based on the original recipes.

This distinguished dark rum, which has been enjoyed around the world for generations, is based on an old, secret recipe from Alnwick. Lost for 20 years, this unique recipe requires the masterful blending of aged rums from Guyana and Jamaica.

The introduction of other selectively aged rums during the marrying process gives this exceptional blend a distinctive, full, round character with a depth of flavour to delight the palate.

And so... The Legend Lives on.