De Vry Distillery’s Die Warm Rasta Rum, produced in the Free State, has won the top award in the inaugural South African Rum Awards of 2020.
Beating 44 other international and local entries, Die Warm Rasta Rum won both the Best Rum and Best Column and Potstill awards and was named Most Exceptional overall. 20 rums, exactly half local and half international, won gold medals in the awards.
Commenting on his win, distiller Pasch du Plooy said, “It’s a surprise and a great privilege to win this award, especially against some of the well-known, high-quality international rum brands.”
He added, “Rum is our first passion. The key is ageing. We mature Die Warm Rasta for up to three years in barrels which are a combination of charred oak from American Bourbon barrels and new French Oak. Between this, our climate and our top-quality ingredients we are producing a rum that we are very proud of.”
The judging panel was comprised of respected and experienced spirits-industry experts Leah van Deventer, Kurt Schlechter, Chantelle Horn and Coco Reinharz.
Awards convenor and judge Leah van Deventer said, “We’re delighted with how well the local rums performed in this competition, taking 50% of the gold medals. It speaks to strong levels of emerging innovation and creativity in the independent South African distilling industry. Exciting times lie ahead for rum.”
For more information visit www.devrydistillery.co.za and follow De Vry Distillery on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
