It’s fair to say that rum has historically had a bit of an image problem. More commonly associated with piracy and sickly-sweet mixers than quality and sophistication, recent years have started to see people recognise the potential of rum in its own right, and that’s largely thanks to a new generation of rum brands making it their mission to change people’s perceptions. Co-founders of John Paul Jones (JPJ) Ollie Blackett, Finnian Gill, and Jack Cuddigan felt that rums were too often pumped full of artificial flavourings and spices, which dominated the flavour of the spirit, and so set out to create a complex yet carefully balanced, premium rum which could rival the likes of whisky as a sipping drink. With their signature Lowland Rum having already proved a hit amongst rum aficionados, they are now turning their attention to white rum.
It all began for the three young founders when they were made redundant at the start of the pandemic. All rum enthusiasts who shared the feeling that there was space to create something of a far higher quality than the flavoured rums they were used to, they made the decision to join forces and move into the world of alcohol. By way of inspiration, they looked to Scottish naval commander John Paul Jones, whose story one of the founders was particularly familiar with. Having been brought up on the same estate where John Paul Jones himself was born almost three-hundred years earlier, Ollie knew the tales of the legendary sea captain all too well, and soon Finnian and Jack were equally enthralled.
A pioneer of his time, John Paul Jones joined the British navy at the age of just thirteen and left after just four years, disgusted by the human trafficking he’d been witness to. After relocating to America to join the newly founded continental navy and fight in the revolution, he fast rose the ranks to become a commander, becoming acquaintances with Benjamin Franklin and an infamous enemy of the British, leading a number of attacks on merchant ships. Jones died at the age of forty-five and was buried and preserved in a lead casket, filled with alcohol believed by many to be rum…
The legendary naval captain isn’t simply JPJ’s namesake though, their rum also captures his adventurous spirit, daring to go where others haven’t by pioneering a new direction. The contents of each bottle may begin its life in the Caribbean, where John Paul Jones himself made many voyages, but it’s here on British soil where JPJ’s rum truly comes into its own. Barrel-aged in charred American oak and steeped in a blend of fresh ingredients and spices including ginger and black peppercorns, JPJ’s Lowland Rum is bottled at 40%ABV and has a complex flavour profile with notes of vanilla and pepper, and a light, smoky finish; but it’s the distinct salinity of the rum that really makes it stand out from the crowd.