With its soft white sands and swaying palms, Islay might easily be mistaken for a far-flung tropical escape. Now, the Hebridean island better known for its smoky single malts is making waves in a very different category, as its first rum distillery earns one of the industry’s highest honours.
The Islay Rum Distillery has been awarded a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2026, with The Original Islay Rum Barrel Aged achieving an impressive 98 points. The accolade marks a significant milestone not only for the distillery, but for Scotland’s growing reputation in premium rum production.
Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious competitions in the global spirits calendar, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition sets a rigorous benchmark for excellence. A Double Gold distinction means the entry received unanimous gold scores from every judge during blind tasting, underlining the exceptional quality of the spirit.
Produced by The Islay Spirits Company, The Original Islay Rum represents a new chapter in Islay’s rich distilling heritage. While the island has long been synonymous with peated whisky, this is the first time rum has been distilled on its shores. Drawing inspiration from Caribbean distillation techniques while embracing Islay’s rugged Atlantic climate, the spirit reflects a distinctive fusion of influences.
Crafted using sustainably sourced molasses, the rum undergoes a carefully controlled fermentation process designed to develop layers of fruit, spice and subtle sweetness. Distillation takes place in a bespoke copper pot and twin retort still, creating a triple distillation effect in a single run. This process, combined with extensive copper contact and a slow distillation, results in a smooth yet characterful spirit.
The Barrel Aged expression is matured in oak casks that previously held peated Islay single malt whisky, allowing it to develop a nuanced profile shaped by both rum and whisky traditions. Scotland’s cooler climate ensures a slower maturation, producing a balanced spirit with notes of vanilla, coastal salinity and a gentle thread of smoke. The result is a rum that offers a natural bridge for whisky drinkers exploring new territory.
The expression sits within a wider core range that includes The Original Islay Rum Geal, a pure single white rum, and The Original Islay Rum Peat Spiced, which is smoked over a peat fire. Alongside these, the distillery produces limited-edition experimental overproof releases and exclusive single cask bottlings.
At the heart of the project is head distiller Ben Inglis, whose passion for rum began on Islay despite being surrounded by whisky. After immersing himself in rum production, Inglis co-founded the distillery and helped transform a disused industrial building into the island’s first rum-making facility.
The origins of the distillery date back to 2017, when father and son Brian and Andrew Crook of The Vintage Malt Whisky Company acquired the former Old Lemonade Factory in Port Ellen. Alongside Caroline James, they redeveloped the site into a hub for distilling innovation, breathing new life into the historic building.
Ben Inglis commented: “Surrounded by the powerful Atlantic Ocean, Islay’s cool maritime climate, coastal air and ever-changing weather create an environment that influences every stage of our rum-making. These natural elements contribute to a distinctive sense of place that defines The Original Islay Rum’s flavour, depth and character.
“Our Barrel Aged rum is an expression I’m particularly proud of. Maturing the spirit in casks that once held peated Islay single malt was a deliberate choice to root our rum in the island’s rich heritage. To have that recognised with a Double Gold in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is a real validation of what we set out to achieve.”
Since launching in 2022, The Original Islay Rum has rapidly built international acclaim. In addition to its latest success, the Barrel Aged expression secured a Gold medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2025, while the distillery was named Scottish Rum Producer of the Year at the 2025 Scottish Rum Awards.
Caroline James, co-founder of The Islay Spirits Company, added: “For generations, Islay spirits have set a global benchmark for excellence. The Islay Rum Distillery builds on this heritage, applying the same dedication to quality that defines the island’s whisky tradition to create a new category of world-class Islay spirit.
“A Scottish rum winning Double Gold at San Francisco is a significant moment, not just for us. It’s a statement that premium Scottish rum has arrived on the world stage and shows that Islay’s reputation for craftsmanship extends beyond whisky.”
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The distillery itself is housed within the restored 1959 art deco Old Lemonade Factory in Port Ellen, renovated by local builder Scott Hastie, whose grandfather originally founded the site. The project brings the building’s story full circle while celebrating Islay’s tradition of rural enterprise.
Now firmly established on Islay’s renowned distillery trail, The Islay Rum Distillery offers guided tours and tastings, providing visitors with a rare opportunity to experience rum production on an island long celebrated for its whisky.
The Original Islay Rum Barrel Aged (46% ABV) is priced at £49 and is available via the distillery’s website. Tasting notes include light smoke, green banana, caramel and leather on the nose; a palate of vanilla, sea-salted caramel and tropical fruit with a subtle medicinal edge; and a long, mouth-filling finish reminiscent of a well-aged spirit.
