Spirits body endorses protection of ‘Jamaican Rum’ with geographical indication designation

The Spirits Pool Association of Jamaica has thrown its support behind the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) and its ruling to grant a geographical indication (GI) designation for ‘Jamaican Rum’.

The body said the landmark decision demonstrates a commitment to protect and preserve the integrity of Jamaican rum as a globally respected product, strengthening Brand Jamaica and ensuring that only authentic Jamaican rum can claim this cherished heritage.

“This initiative marks an essential step for Jamaica’s rum producers, who are united in their shared mission to uphold and defend the reputation of Jamaican rum,” the association stated in a release.

“Worthy Park, Hampden, Long Pond, Clarendon, Appleton and New Yarmouth Distilleries are among the local producers fully supporting this designation, which will help safeguard the brand value of Jamaica’s rum industry and support JIPO’s vision of protecting national products with distinct Jamaican heritage and value.”

The GI designation is a critical development in ensuring that only rum distilled and aged in Jamaica, following strict guidelines, can bear the ‘Jamaican Rum’ title. This safeguard protects the reputation of the island’s iconic rum products and curbs the risk of counterfeiting, enabling consumers worldwide to trust the authenticity and high standards of Jamaican rum.

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“By supporting this geographical indication, we are not only securing our legacy of 300 years of Jamaica rum-making excellence, but also honouring the skill, passion, and tradition and true Jamaican taste in every bottle of Jamaican rum,” explained Christopher Gentles, general manager of the Spirits Pool Association. “This decision bolsters the trust consumers have in Jamaican rum, reinforcing its value as an authentic and premium spirit worldwide.”

Local producer Everglades Rum contributed to the committee that developed the Jamaica Rum GI, working alongside other key Jamaican distilleries to establish these critical standards that uphold the tradition, quality, and authenticity of Jamaican rum. Everglades Rum is very proud of the Jamaica Rum GI designation, viewing it as an essential step in protecting and elevating Jamaican rum on the global stage.

Gentles further added, “The rum community took eight years to develop the guidelines, then waited an additional four years for the JIPO ruling following the National Rums of Jamaica request for rectification. This ruling finally vindicates JIPO’s intellectual rigour and discipline and the commitment of the Jamaica Rum Distilleries to a process rooted in engagement and finding consensus about the essence of Jamaican Rum.”

The Spirits Pool Association is confident that this ruling will add significant brand value as the consumers in the spirits world will appreciate the craftsmanship, discipline, passion and quality assurance that goes into Jamaican Rum. This recognition will allow Jamaican Rum to take its rightful place alongside the Scotch Whiskey and Cognac and the other high-quality spirits in terms of pricing, as they recognise the strong rules which govern the craft of making Jamaican Rum.

The JIPO ruling means additional important intellectual property protection for the country’s world-famous Jamaican rums. For example, Hampden Estate, celebrated globally for its high-ester rums, can now further safeguard this unique style, which has been a hallmark of Jamaica’s rum heritage for centuries. This protection ensures that the distinct qualities of Jamaican rum, like Hampden’s signature high-ester profile, are preserved and recognised worldwide.

The Spirits Pool Association applauded JIPO’s vision and dedication in implementing this geographical indication, which reinforces Jamaica’s ability to protect and promote its signature products. By working closely with JIPO, the association said that, along with the industry, it was committed to honouring the skill, passion, and standards that make Jamaican rum a distinctive and revered spirit.