An eclectic mix of rum brands will once again take over Leeds’ historic Corn Exchange this autumn at the Leeds Rum Festival on 17 September. This will mark the festival’s sixth year, and the 2022 edition set to be its biggest yet. The event, organised by Rolling Social Events, aims to showcase the best in spirits, with a focus on fun and education. Accompanied by music and entertainment, as well as food, Leeds Rum Festival claims to be a premier, all-round experience for rum lovers.
The festival will showcase its rum sponsor, Nusa Caña, an “Indonesian rum packed full of tropical flavour and charged with the attitude and energy of today’s Bali”. If you’re lucky enough to try their tropical and spiced variations, expect big funky flavours packed with banana, coconut and Caribbean spices. Returning sponsor, Three Cents, create mixers inspired by bartenders for bartenders. Their range of premium sodas will be the ultimate accompaniment for your rum on the day.
This year will also feature the Monin Rum bar, shaking up some tropical classics and adding new twists such as piña coladas, spiced mango rum punches and watermelon daiquiris. Local craft beers will also be available for those that need a break from all the rum!
Far from a rum do!
Tickets will provide access to the festival, where there will be over 100 different rums on show, including Plantation, Takamaka, Nusa Caña, El Dorado and Skipper, to name just a few. Tickets also allow guests to partake in several masterclasses, including talks from Santiago de Cuba, Nusa Caña and Diplomatico. Latitude Wine & Spirit Merchants will be operating the festival bottle shop so guests can purchase their favourites from the festival to take home.
For the first time in Leeds Rum Fest history, a speed daiquiri competition will be held. Guests will be able to make their own daiquiri at the Monin stand, with the winner of the night’s contest receiving a Monin cocktail kit.
Keeping you in the festival mood will be Caribbean Breeze, a five piece steel band based in Chapeltown plus Leeds West Indian Carnival dancers and West African soul food provided by Delice D’Ivoire.
Lee Jones, creative director at Rolling Social Events says:
“It’s been great to see Leeds Rum Fest grow year on year and become part of the ‘don’t miss’ events for people in the city. It gets better every time that we do it and 2022 is no exception. With over 100 different samples, it’s our biggest selection yet. Rum is a great spirit – there’s an expression for everyone and always something new to explore.
“It was important to us that we bring rums from all kinds of producers and give a platform for the smaller/indie brands to showcase what they do – not just the big hitters. Rolling Social is all about fun and education so we love that the masterclasses have been so popular. There’s plenty of those this year. We’ve got a big West Indian and African population in Leeds so we wanted to celebrate that too. With the carnival dancers, Caribbean Breeze on the steel pan and soul food from Delice D’Ivoire it’s going to be a real party.”
Leeds Rum Festival takes place Saturday 17 September at Leeds Corn Exchange. Tickets are available now for £30 from eventbrite.co.uk.
