Kingsland Drinks partners with Co-op for first own-brand Fairtrade rum

 

Full-service drinks firm, Kingsland Drinks, has partnered with Co-op to develop, create and bottle the retailer’s first Fairtrade spirit - a Caribbean rum. 

 

Kingsland Drinks is the biggest importer of Fairtrade wines in the UK and the creator of some of the biggest no, low and spirits in the UK. The firm has been a close partner, supplier and co-packer to Co-op for many years, and has worked collaboratively with Co-op’s drinks buyers and Fairtrade teams to research and source a Bourbon Barrel Aged Fairtrade Rum, which is a Caribbean blend from the Dominican Republic, Barbados and Venezuela.  

 

Kingsland Drinks works with retailers and supermarkets to bring new wine, no and low alcohol and spirits products to market from inception, to shelf, powered by its award-winning onsite flavour lab, dedicated NPD team and high-level accreditations. Kingsland Drinks is also a leading contract packer, bottler, distributor, creator and supplier of wines and spirits, offering a complete category solution for the drinks supply chain.   

 

Andy Hoyle, Spirits Buyer for Kingsland Drinks, said: “Fairtrade Spirits was a new playing field for both parties so we tasked ourselves with learning more about the category and, after extensive research and working closely with our global spirits supply partners and our friends at the Fairtrade Foundation, we sourced the Bourbon Barrel Aged Fairtrade Rum from the Caribbean and are proud to bring to market a spirit that not only meets the quality shoppers expect from Co-op, but that also embodies something both companies have pioneered from the start; Fairtrade.  

 

“It was great to be given the opportunity to work collaboratively with the Co-op buyers, sourcing and creating the new product with the assistance of our NPD lab.  

 

“I have personally seen the great work that Fairtrade does for workers and the wider communities in developing countries - hopefully we can continue to transition and expand the category further in the near future to ensure more Fairtrade Spirits are available for UK consumers.” 

 

Phoebe Baxter-Graham, Junior Buyer at the Co-op said: “It’s fantastic to see Co-op’s first own-brand Fairtrade Rum launching. It is a landmark alongside Co-op’s 30th anniversary of supporting Fairtrade this year and it has been a real pleasure to work alongside Kingsland Drinks to produce this excellent Fairtrade spirit”.

 

Ageing in Bourbon barrels adds complexity to the final product and a point of difference for consumers in a growing and exciting market, which continually welcomes new product development. The rum can be enjoyed in a number of serves, such as a Rum Old Fashioned. 

 

Co-op Irresistible Limited-Edition Fairtrade Golden Rum (70cl, £24) is a Caribbean blend from the Dominican Republic, Barbados and Venezuela. Aged in Bourbon barrels it has notes of vanilla and banana with flavours of caramel and tropical fruit. In-stores now.