Equiano Afro-Caribbean Rum

Equiano is the world’s first Afro-Caribbean rum, named after freedom fighter Olaudah Equiano and co-created by rum’s great ambassador, Ian Burrell.

The Caribbean is known as one of the heartlands of rum. Africa, less so, though off its shores in the Indian Ocean the island of Mauritius has a Caribbean feel, a tropical climate, and its economy boomed when sugar cane was introduced. It’s a place where you’d expect to find good rum.

And if there’s good rum to be found anywhere, Global Rum Ambassador Ian Burrell is the man to find it. The rum that he found is made by Gray’s, a distillery on Mauritius that goes back to the 1930s and which also imports wine and spirits to the island. This is where Equiano starts its life, maturing for at least 10 years in a combination of French Limousin oak and ex-cognac casks.

Blending Equiano Afro-Caribbean Rum

Equiano is then sent to Barbados, to the award-winning Foursquare Distillery, where it’s blended with rum that has been barrelled in American oak casks that had previously been used for ageing bourbon. The two people responsible for the blending that produces Equiano are Ian Burrell and Richard Seale, the Master Distiller at Foursquare.

Equiano Awards

The two co-creators have obviously got this marriage of Mauritius and Barbados right as Equiano has already won four of the most prestigious international awards. It won gold at the International Spirits Challenge, the Spirits Selection, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and at the International Wine and Spirits Competition. The company’s founders – Amanda Kakembo, Aaisha Dadral and Oliver Bartlam – must be well-pleased with the work done by Ian Burrell and Richard Seale.

Bringing the Rums Together

I asked Ian how and why he came to bring these two rums together.

“I’m in the very fortunate position where I have gained the trust of many distilleries around the world, during my ambassadorship of the category of rum (still the world’s only one), so when I asked them to be a part of this project, they said 100%. Blending rum from Africa and the Caribbean commercially had never been done, so I felt it was time for a new type of rum. These two distilleries are amongst my favourites and make great-tasting rums so it felt right to blend great liquids from both rum makers.”

“You obviously have a great rum reputation to protect, so what impresses you so much about this rum that you’ll lend your name to it?”

“This particular rum impressed me as it will not only appeal to the rum purist, but it will appeal to other spirit drinkers that enjoy whisk(e)y, brandy and other naturally aged liquor. Even rum drinkers that like their rum slightly ‘sweetened’, will enjoy this African and Caribbean rum. Although, there is NO sugar, additives or flavours added to it; so it’s as pure as they come. If you want to sip it neat, on the rocks, with your favourite mixer or in a cocktail, then Equiano Rum is for you. I endorse and drink many rums from around the world, so Equiano is helping to raise the category of true premium rums.”

Who Was Olaudah Equiano?

Olaudah Equiano was born in Nigeria in 1745 but before he was even a teenager he was kidnapped, sold into slavery, and taken to the Caribbean. From there he was later moved to the United Kingdom, still a slave, but by selling rum on the side he was able to save £40 (equivalent to something like £1500 today) and was able to buy his freedom. He then wrote his autobiography, making him one of the first African writers to be published in the UK.

The company isn’t just borrowing Equiano’s name, though. They’ve set up the Equiano Rum Foundation and are donating £2 or $2 from every bottle sold and 5% of profits to ‘ground-level freedom and equality projects annually and celebrating a man who we all aspire to be more like.’

Equiano Afro-Caribbean Rum Review

One of Equiano’s plus points is that it is 100% natural, with no added sugar, no spices, no additives, and no colorants. The lovely lightly golden colour is therefore all natural. It’s a handsome bottle, chunky and a little stubby, and tapering towards the base. Equiano is 43% ABV.

On the nose you get those immediate familiar rum aromas, of raisins and dried fruit, Christmas cake, butterscotch and caramel, with some vanilla and orange in there too. It’s a delicious and heady yet subtle mix, and you can immediately smell its quality.

These all come through on the palate as well, where it’s also incredibly smooth, like sipping velvet, with the caramel and toffee tastes very prominent making it an absolutely wonderful sip, and definitely more-ish. Despite the cocktails the team has created, I’ll be saving mine to enjoy neat, not even throwing an ice-cube in there. It’s one terrific rum.