The Richland Distilling Company’s Single Estate Old Georgia Rum has won two gold medals at global tasting events in China and Spain.
At the China Wines and Spirits Awards in Hong Kong, Richland Rum took a gold medal and received ‘Best Value’ and ‘American Spirit of the Year’ accolades. It also claimed the Gran Oro medal at the Catavinum World Wine and Spirits Competition in Madrid.
The ratings follow acclaim from other groups including the Beverage Tasting Institute, the Los Angeles SIP Awards, the Fifty Best Awards and the Craft Spirits Awards and come as the Georgia distillery company considers a foray into the duty free market.
As reported, Richland Rum entered a distribution agreement with Monarq in 2014 and is available in Georgia Tennessee, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, BVI’s and Turcs & Caicos.
The Richland Distilling Company Co-owner & Marketing Manager Karin Vonk said the company is gaining ground in the market and is preparing to enter the duty free channel, beginning at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport this summer.
Richland Rum is handmade in Richland, Georgia, using home grown natural sugar cane syrup – not molasses – and water from the Georgia Aquifer as the only ingredients. Copper pot distilling is conducted manually in single day batches and the rum is aged in virgin American oak barrels.
Richland Distilling Company Proprietor Erik Vonk said: “We are so excited to see how the comeback of the “˜once and future king of spirits’ – authentic rum – is broadly celebrated, not only among rum connoisseurs, but increasingly by bourbon, Scotch and Cognac aficionados and is recognised on an international scale.
“We have been developing our sole product – Single Estate Old Georgia Rum – since 1999, without ever compromising on quality, purity and authenticity and with simply one goal in mind: to make the best rum in America. While we may be on an never ending quest, it is an honour and a pleasure to see Richland Rum produced in rural Georgia, leading the “˜Rum Renaissance’ and receive prestigious accolades not only in America, but also in Asia and Europe,” Vonk added.
