Episodes

  • 152: Behind The Rums of Mexico Series with Jason Cox
    Apr 30 2026

    Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here.

    You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.

    In this episode, we caught up with Alambique Serrano founder Jason Cox about his latest project, The Rums of Mexico — a wide ranging series of rums sourced from aguardienteros and distilleries across Oaxaca, Veracruz, and Jalisco.

    We recently shared our thoughts on these rums in a bonus episode, but this interview with Jason gave us a chance to learn much more about the stories behind the rums, including:

    How the project came about

    The great (and not-so-great) rums Jason tried along the way to partnering with the 4 producers featured in these releases

    Why he sourced his first molasses-based rum, Melaza con Muck, for this series

    The wild flavor profile of "Caldo"

    Each producer's backstory

    The inspiration behind the label artwork

    Aging plans

    And more!

    Plus, we also caught up on all things Alambique Serrano and discussed what's next for the brand — including the upcoming second wave of Vida Nativa rums.

    You can learn more about The Rums of Mexico on their website.

    Have a listen and let us know your thoughts or questions!

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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • 151: Blind Tasting & Selecting La Maison & Velier's Next Flag Series Rums
    Apr 4 2026

    Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here.

    You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.

    This episode is something fun we've never done before: Kate Perry (La Maison & Velier) and Brett Kozinn (PM Spirits) presented us with 7 mystery samples that are all candidates for the next wave of Flag Series releases for the U.S. market.

    We tasted through them together, debated our favorites, and attempted to guess origins before the exciting reveals, all while discussing all the factors that go into selecting rums like this for release. It was a super fun experience, and a cool sneak peek at what's to come from La Maison & Velier.

    Give it a listen and let us know how we did! We'd also love to know which of these rums sounded the most intriguing to you. Send us an email or comment on social to let us know.

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    2 hrs and 3 mins
  • 150: Richard Seale & Ian Burrell Part 2: Jamaica Rum GI Debates, Aging Myths, and History vs. Tradition
    Mar 8 2026

    Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here.

    You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.

    We're back with Part 2 of our conversation with Foursquare's Richard Seale and Ian Burrell, the Global Rum Ambassador.

    In this episode, we discussed common misconceptions of the Jamaica Rum GI, including a fascinating deep dive into the history of Jamaican rum aging overseas, media coverage of the story, and what might happen next.

    If you missed Part 1 on Richard and Ian's latest rum project, you can check it out here.

    You can listen to our previous episode on the Jamaica Rum GI with Christopher Gentles of the Spirits Pool Association here.

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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • 150: Richard Seale & Ian Burrell Part 1: Their New Project, the Future of Foursquare's ECS, & More
    Mar 1 2026

    Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here.

    You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.

    In this episode we sat down with the dynamic duo of Foursquare's Richard Seale and the Global Rum Ambassador himself, Ian Burrell, for a conversation that covered so much ground we broke it into two parts.

    In Part 1, we discuss their new project that's been years in the making, other collaborations on the horizon, the future of Foursquare's Exceptional Cask Selection series, and much more.

    Keep an eye out for Part 2 next week. Cheers!

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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • 149: Our Top 8 Predictions & Questions for Rum in 2026
    Jan 26 2026

    Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here.

    You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.

    It's time for our annual predictions for the rum world in 2026, but with a slight format twist. Rather than just making predictions, we also include the biggest rum-related questions on our minds as we head into another year.

    What rum predictions or questions do you have for the next 12 months? Hit us up via email or social and let us know!

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    1 hr and 26 mins
  • 148: The Rumcast's Favorite Rums of 2025
    Dec 23 2025

    Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here.

    You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.

    It's time once again for our annual lookback at our favorite rums of the year! This time, we both select favorites from the following categories for 2025:

    Value rum

    "New to me" rum

    Unaged rum

    Aged rum

    Blend

    Single cask

    "Am I the asshole?" rum

    Overall rum

    Bottler of the year

    Distillery of the year

    As mentioned during the show, you can donate to the American Friends of Jamaica's Hurricane Melissa relief fund here: https://theafj.app.neoncrm.com/forms/afj-disaster-relief-fund

    Tune in and let us know your own favorites from 2025!

    Thanks, as always, for listening and supporting the show throughout the year. We're looking forward to running it back with you in 2026.

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    1 hr and 43 mins
  • 147: Carrying on the Mount Gay Legacy with Trudiann Branker, Master Blender
    Dec 7 2025

    Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here.

    You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.

    In this episode we sat down with Trudiann Branker to go inside her role as master blender at one of the rum world's iconic distilleries, Mount Gay. After taking over for former master blender Allen Smith, Trudiann has played a huge role in shaping the current era of Mount Gay and Barbados rum, from reformulating traditional blends to charting a new course with the estate rum program.

    We discussed:

    The surprise conversation that led to her becoming master blender

    What it was like to create new blends for XO, Black Barrel, and more

    The making of a Master Blender Collection rum

    The balance between tradition and trying new things

    Her philosophy as a blender

    Mount Gay's production process

    The future of the estate rum program

    Her table tennis skills

    And much more!

    This was one of our favorite conversations of the year, so we're excited for you to hear it!

    You can get more details on the rums discussed in this episode on Mount Gay's website.

    Catch up on our past episodes with others from the Mount Gay universe:

    Dr. Frank Ward Talks Barbados Rum, Mount Gay, and More

    Inside Mount Gay's Estate Rum & Agricultural Program with Jacklyn Broomes and Maggie Campbell

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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • 146: O Reizinho and the Tradition of Madeira Rum Making (with Pedro Ferreira)
    Nov 23 2025

    Note: As a reminder, Rumcast Reserve bottles are officially available in stores and shipping from our online retailer! You can grab your bottles here.

    You can watch the video version of this episode on YouTube.

    In this episode, we sat down with Pedro Ferreira, founder and distiller of O Reizinho, one of the jewels of Madeira's fascinating rum scene. While O Reizinho is one of the island's smallest distilleries, it's quickly earning a great reputation among enthusiasts for its distinctive cane juice rums.

    We talked to Pedro about:

    What sets Madeira rums apart

    Evolving his father's small distillery from a clandestine "friends and family" operation to a commercial producer

    The unique challenges of cane cultivation in Madeira

    What it's like to send your rums through the tasting panel that certifies Madeira rum

    The pros and cons of operating a distillery from your own garage

    The direct-fire Portuguese stills that craft O Reizinho's rum

    Madeira's quirky age statement rules

    Local rum culture

    And more!

    If you're interested in learning more about Madeira rum, be sure to check out our Guide to Madeira Rum episode.

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    1 hr and 25 mins