Marblehead launches Don Papa Rum
London – 18 February 2014
The world’s first single island rum from the Philippines, Don Papa Rum, is being launched in the UK. The Bleeding Heart Rum Company has signed a distribution agreement with spirits brand developer, Marblehead with effect from today, covering both the on and off-trade in the UK.
Don Papa Rum was created in 2012 and its name was inspired by Papa Isio, one of the leading figures of the Philippine revolution on the island of Negros. Since its launch in the Philippines, the second largest rum market in the world, Don Papa has won a number of awards for the liquid and its distinctive packaging, designed by Stranger & Stranger.
Emma Wykes, Managing Director of Marblehead, says: “We are very excited that Don Papa’s Founder, Stephen Carroll, has entrusted Marblehead with the UK launch of this premium rum. Don Papa truly brings something special to both established rum drinkers and new explorers to the category. The pre- launch interest in the brand has been extremely positive and we look forward to seeing the brand go from strength to strength in the UK.”
Stephen Carroll, says: “I’ve been delighted with the response so far in the markets in which Don Papa has launched including the Philippines, France, Belgium and Italy. The UK is a dynamic and growing rum market and we feel the time is right to enter into a partnership with Marblehead and make Don Papa available here. Premium rums such as Don Papa have added another dimension to the drinking moment and, based on the number of requests we’ve had in the UK for Don Papa, we’re excited about our brand’s future with Marblehead.”
Notes to Editors
Don Papa Rum is distilled in small batches from high quality sugar cane from the island of Negros Occidental, Philippines, known locally as Sugarlandia. Don Papa Rum is then aged for seven years in American oak in the foothills of Mount Kanlaon, before being blended and bottled on Negros Island, in partnership with Ginebra San Miguel.
The Bleeding Heart Rum Company is run by former Remy Cointreau executive Stephen Carroll, an experienced drinks industry professional who has also held a number of senior marketing positions with Seagram, Diageo and LVMH. Don Papa Rum has won several awards including Product Innovation of the Year at the Paris Cocktail Spirits Show in 2013 and Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2013 for packaging design.
www.donpaparum.com RRP: £ 29.95 for 70cl AbV: 40%
Don Papa Rum joins the Marblehead portfolio which includes, Skipper Rum, Davna Bizon, Czeri and Hani Vodka, AquaRiva Tequila, Berkeley Square London Dry Gin, Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin, Toussaint Coffee Liqueur, Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur and Ypióca Cachaça. Marblehead is one of the UK’s leading, independent brand developers and entered into a partnership agreement with the international spirits group Quintessential Brands in 2013.
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ABOUT QUINTESSENTIAL BRANDS
Quintessential Brands owns an award-winning portfolio of world-class spirit brands, which is powered by a strong entrepreneurial vision and passion for innovation, backed by centuries of handcrafted distilling expertise.
Quintessential Brands Group was established in 2011 with the acquisition of G&J Distillers, the UK’s foremost gin distillery, which evolved from Thomas Dakin’s original 1761 operation and now produces an unrivalled quality gin selection. In Ireland, Dublin Liberties Distillery is our home of modern Irish whiskeys and First Ireland Spirits in Abbeyleix crafts award-winning Irish creams. Our French hub, L&L France, creates fine French fruit liqueurs, cognacs, brandies and vodka.
For more information, please contact the communications team at Quintessential Brands by e-mail: [email protected]
