Exploring the World of Rum with Eric Kaye of Holmes Cay

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In this episode of The Global Glug, I sit down with Eric Kaye, the founder of Holmes Cay, to discuss his fascinating journey from a career in music to becoming a respected name in the rum industry. We dive into the inspiration behind Holmes Cay, the challenges of navigating the complex world of spirits, and his dedication to sourcing the finest rums from around the globe.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
From Music to Rum: How Eric transitioned from composing to curating exceptional rums.
The Birth of Holmes Cay: Why a lack of quality rum in the U.S. led him to create his own brand.
Navigating Regulations: The hurdles of launching a rum brand in a heavily controlled industry.
Sourcing the Best Rums: How strong relationships with distilleries lead to incredible discoveries.
Mhoba & 10 Cane Rum: The story behind Mhoba Distillery and what happened to 10 Cane Rum.
The Sugar Debate: Why Holmes Cay stands for additive-free rum and transparency.
Consumer Education: How knowledge empowers drinkers to appreciate high-quality rums.
The Golden Age of Rum: Why now is the best time for rum lovers and independent bottlers.
The Role of Independent Bottlers: How they’re shaping the future of rum by making rare selections accessible.

 

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Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Eric Kaye and His Journey
(03:06) The Genesis of Holmes Key and Eric's Passion for Rum
(06:05) Navigating the Rum Market and Initial Challenges
(09:08) Building Relationships with Distilleries
(11:50) Exploring Unique Distilleries: MOBA and Others
(15:03) Understanding High Ester Rums and Their Appeal
(17:57) The Role of Sugar in Rum and Consumer Perceptions
(20:58) Marketing and Educating Consumers on Rum
(23:44) The Future of the Rum Industry
(26:42) The Team Behind Holmes Key and Their Vision
(29:25) Special Releases and Unique Offerings
(32:20) Exporting Rum and Future Aspirations
(37:07) Navigating International Markets for Rum
(39:56) Exploring Unique Rum Profiles and Distilleries
(41:39) Future Releases and Rare Casks
(44:03) The Journey of 10 Cane Rum
(48:38) The Art of Distillation and Respect for Distillers
(51:12) Challenges in the Rum Industry
(58:10) The Future of Craft Distilleries
(01:00:50) Building a Rum Community and Consumer Engagement