Unfiltered Rum Insights with Ivar De Laat: Rum Revelations, Distillery Travels & Industry Truths

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ivar De Laat, the passionate mind behind Rum Revelations. We talked about his journey from the Netherlands to Canada, how he got into the rum world, and what led him to become one of the most honest voices in rum criticism today.

We dove deep into topics like the impact of sugar in rum, the evolution of the industry, his travels to distilleries in places like Barbados and Mauritius, and his candid thoughts on Colombian rum. Ivar’s insights are sharp, genuine, and eye-opening—perfect for anyone who loves rum beyond the glass.

🎥 Catch the full video interview on YouTube.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Ivar De Laat and His Journey
(03:12) The Evolution of Ivar's Rum Journey
(06:04) The Importance of Honest Reviews in Rum
(08:55) Starting a Rum Club in Canada
(11:59) The Sugar Debate in Rum
(14:54) The Impact of Sugar on Rum's Reputation
(17:51) Geographical Indications and Rum Production
(20:59) The State of Colombian Rum
(23:48) Ivar's Insights on Colombian Rum Culture
(33:28) Exploring the World of Viche and Colombian Spirits
(38:34) Traveling the Rum World: Distilleries and Experiences
(49:41) The Future of Rum: Trends and Predictions