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Food Rebels

From Pirates to Premium: Rum's New Era

Jul 8, 2026 · 31 min · 12 segments

Rum has come a long way from its pirate reputation. In this episode of Food Rebels, AJ Sharp is joined by drinks experts Maria Easley and Clare Pope to explore the exciting world of modern rum. From…

Rum has come a long way from its pirate reputation. In this episode of Food Rebels, AJ Sharp is joined by drinks experts Maria Easley and Clare Pope to explore the exciting world of modern rum. From Caribbean classics and tropical spiced rums to innovative producers in Scotland and Paraguay, they discover how today's rum makers are pushing the category in bold new directions. Along the way, they taste standout spirits including Mermaid Spiced Rum, Takamaka Dark Spiced Rum, Black Tot Finest Caribbean Rum, Isle of Barra's Black Forest Dark Rum and El Supremo 8-Year-Old Rum, discussing everything from ageing and flavour development to the stories behind each bottle. The tasting also proves just how far alcohol-free spirits have come, with CleanCo's Clean R and Clean T delivering impressive flavour and complexity. And just when everyone thought the tasting was over, two premium British sambucas from Cimbroni 33 completely changed the panel's perception of a spirit many had left behind after their university days. If you love discovering exceptional drinks, hearing the stories behind innovative brands, or simply want to know which bottles deserve a place on your shelf, this is an episode not to miss.

Rum has come a long way from its pirate reputation. In this episode of Food Rebels, AJ Sharp is joined by drinks experts Maria Easley and Clare Pope to explore the exciting world of modern rum. From…

Speakers: AJ SharpHostMaria EasleyGuest

Show signals: SuitabilitySafeBiasNot politicalAudience≈5k followers

Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Amazon Music Website

Top entities: Dark 'N' Stormy×5 Rum×5 Spencer Matthews×2 Mermaid×2 Isle of Wight×5

Rum’s Renaissance & Spiced Rum Hype1:40 – 2:34

1:40

Rum is going through this huge metamorphosis transformation, isn't it, at the moment, where it's gone from being sort of something only pirates drink.

1:48

Yeah.

1:50

Something that, you know, very posh people drink in their gardens.

1:54

And, you know, it's not just about Dark and Stormy, which is one of my favourite drinks.

1:57

Yes, it's a classic, isn't it? It is a

Maria EasleyGuest

1:59

classic.

Maria EasleyGuest

2:01

It's been craft or premiumised, hasn't it? Yes, but if you use Dark and Stormy, you have to use Gosling.

2:07

It's the same part.

2:09

It's the rule.

2:10

It's trademarked.

Maria EasleyGuest

2:11

Don't get in trouble.

Maria EasleyGuest

2:13

Good to know.

Maria EasleyGuest

2:14

But yes, there's so many variations on rums really now, isn't there? And Spiced Rum especially is having its moment.

Maria EasleyGuest

2:20

And I think the quality of that has really come on leaps and bounds as well.

Maria EasleyGuest

2:25

And yeah, we've got a lovely selection to try out today.

Maria EasleyGuest

2:29

Yeah, I'm really excited

2:30

about this.

2:31

Claire's in charge of this.

2:32

What's happening?

2:33

I'm in charge of the room.

Dark 'N' StormyEntityCocktail
98%5 mentions
RumEntityLiquor
94%5 mentions
Spencer MatthewsPersonBritish TV personality and entrepreneur
90%2 mentions
MermaidEntityMythical creature
85%2 mentions
Isle of WightPlaceIsland in England
81%5 mentions
SambucaEntityLiqueur
77%8 mentions
BarraPlaceIsland in Scotland
73%3 mentions
InstagramSoftware ApplicationSocial networking service
69%2 mentions
SeychellesCountryCountry in East Africa
65%5 mentions
ParaguayCountryCountry in South America
60%2 mentions
ScotlandCountryUK constituent country
56%4 mentions
United KingdomCountryCountry in Europe
52%2 mentions
PalomaEntityCocktail
48%1 mention
ChristmasEntityFestival
44%1 mention
LondonCityCapital of England
40%1 mention
WorcestershireAdministrative AreaCeremonial county in England
35%2 mentions
MojitoEntityCocktail
31%1 mention
PlumEntityFruit
27%1 mention
HebridesPlaceArchipelago in Scotland
23%1 mention
English peopleEntityEthnic group
19%1 mention
BarbadosCountryCountry in the Caribbean
10%1 mention
GuyanaCountryCountry in South America
10%1 mention
JamaicaCountryCountry in the Caribbean
10%1 mention
AldingtonCityVillage in England
2%1 mention

Alcoholic BeveragesFood > Beverages
Tasting NotesFood > Beverages > Spirits > Rum
BeveragesFood
Cocktail CultureFood > Beverages
MixologyFood > Beverages > Cocktail Culture
CocktailsFood > Beverages
CocktailsFood > Beverages > Alcoholic Beverages > Rum
Non-Alcoholic AlternativesFood > Beverages > Alcoholic Beverages
SpiritsFood > Beverages
RumFood > Beverages > Alcoholic Beverages
Classic CocktailsFood > Beverages > Cocktails
RumFood > Beverages > Spirits
Food
Cocktail AlternativesFood > Beverages > Alcoholic Beverages > Non-Alcoholic Alternatives
Drink EducationFood > Beverages > Cocktail Culture > Mixology
Dark and StormyFood > Beverages > Cocktails > Classic Cocktails

Rum’s Renaissance & Spiced Rum Hype1:40 – 2:34

1:40

Rum is going through this huge metamorphosis transformation, isn't it, at the moment, where it's gone from being sort of something only pirates drink.

1:48

Yeah.

1:50

Something that, you know, very posh people drink in their gardens.

1:54

And, you know, it's not just about Dark and Stormy, which is one of my favourite drinks.

1:57

Yes, it's a classic, isn't it? It is a

Maria EasleyGuest

1:59

classic.

Maria EasleyGuest

2:01

It's been craft or premiumised, hasn't it? Yes, but if you use Dark and Stormy, you have to use Gosling.

2:07

It's the same part.

2:09

It's the rule.

2:10

It's trademarked.

Maria EasleyGuest

2:11

Don't get in trouble.

Maria EasleyGuest

2:13

Good to know.

Maria EasleyGuest

2:14

But yes, there's so many variations on rums really now, isn't there? And Spiced Rum especially is having its moment.

Maria EasleyGuest

2:20

And I think the quality of that has really come on leaps and bounds as well.

Maria EasleyGuest

2:25

And yeah, we've got a lovely selection to try out today.

Maria EasleyGuest

2:29

Yeah, I'm really excited

2:30

about this.

2:31

Claire's in charge of this.

2:32

What's happening?

2:33

I'm in charge of the room.

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