Matthew Lillard arrives on the red carpet of the 34th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party at West Hollywood Park in Hollywood, California, on March 15, 2026. (Photo: Connor Terry/Sipa USA via AP Images)

“Scream” and “Scooby-Doo” star Matthew Lillard is expanding his liquor empire with a Jamaican rum that pays tribute to horrors from the deep.

On Wednesday, Macabre Spirits unveiled Saltspray, a 90-proof rum sourced from the nearly three-century-old Hampden Distillery in Trelawny Parish, Jamaica. The brand has yet to disclose the age statement or production style of the liquid, though fans are told to expect flavors of island spice, honey, demerara and warm apple, followed by hints of tropical fruit and funk on the finish.

Like all releases from Macabre, Saltspray comes with a story — literally. This time around, Lillard has joined forces with Bram Stoker-nominated writer Gemma Amor, who wrote an original novella that will accompany each bottle of the rum. Best known for her works “Dear Laura” and “Itch!,” Amor frequently explores themes of body horror and psychological dread through a feminist lens. Cover art designed by Daniele Serra depicts a many-toothed monster emerging from beneath the sea, suggesting that Amor’s story will revolve in or around the murky depths.

(Photo: Macabre Spirits)

“We’ve wanted to do a rum for a while, but we hadn’t found the right story to inspire us,” Macabre Spirits co-founder Justin Ware remarked in a news release. “When Gemma pitched us the idea for Saltspray, we knew it was the perfect time to take the plunge. Inspired by the cliffs of her native England, Gemma has written a tale about hidden secrets that’s creepy and monstrous but also intimate and all too human — just the way we like it.”

Over the past few years, Lillard has quietly amassed one of the largest spirits portfolios of anyone in Hollywood. His love affair with booze kicked off with the launch of Quest’s End, a Dungeons and Dragons-centric whiskey brand that pays homage to fantasy “classes” like Monk, Wizard, Druid and Rogue.

His umbrella company, Find Familiar, later branched into the horror world with the debut of Macabre Spirits. The brand’s first offering was a barrel-aged sotol accompanied by a novella written by “Midnight Mass” director Mike Flanagan (we sampled both the story and the spirit, and can attest that both were wildly odd in the best way possible). Subsequent releases included a Texas bourbon, a California bourbon and a “Scream”-themed Ghost Face Vodka.

Macabre Spirits Saltspray will launch exclusively through Find Familiar and Seelbach’s on June 23rd at a yet-to-be announced price.

(Photos: Three Hearts Rum)

On Tuesday, actor Johnny Depp announced his entrance to the spirits industry, launching Three Hearts Rum alongside Hollywood executive Bobby DeLeon.

The inaugural bottling is a 7-year-old rum produced in the Dominican Republic. It is aged for five years in ex-bourbon barrels “with a touch of Oloroso influence,” then finished for two additional years in ex-Cognac casks. The rum is now available for purchase online through the brand’s website at a price of $69.99.

The project has been in development for several years and draws on Depp’s long-standing connection to the Caribbean. According to the founders, the goal was to create a rum that reflects traditional production methods while highlighting the communities involved in rum-making across the region.

“Rum holds the history of the islands,” Depp said in a news release. “It’s shaped by the hands of the people who grow the cane, ferment the spirit and age it over time. Bobby and I wanted to create something that honored that tradition and the friendships that inspired it.”

The brand’s first release is positioned as a Caribbean-inspired rum rather than tied to a single island identity. Production takes place in the Dominican Republic using established rum-making techniques, with the extended finishing process designed to add layered character.

“We didn’t want to rush something into the world,” DeLeon said. “This rum represents years of patience and collaboration. Our goal was to create something that respected the heritage of Caribbean rum while sharing the spirit of the friendship that started it.”

The bottle design reflects Depp’s personal input, incorporating symbols from his tattoos. These include imagery tied to themes of mortality, friendship and personal values, according to the brand. A bracelet-style charm sits around the neck of the bottle, and the phrase “No Fear. No Malice. No Envy.” is inscribed at the base.

Three Hearts Rum marks the first release in what the founders describe as a broader plan to explore different rum styles across the Caribbean in future editions.

Mount Gay’s newest Single Estate Series release, 25_04_Vt19dp, may be a Barbados rum — but it has a surprising twist for drinkers who usually reach for peated scotch. Released in October, the limited-edition expression delivers a mix of tropical sweetness, earthy depth and smoky-adjacent grit that mirrors some of the most beloved Islay profiles. For scotch lovers open to exploring outside their usual lane, this bottle is a standout.

The fourth entry in Mount Gay’s terroir-driven Single Estate line, 25_04_Vt19dp was crafted by Master Blender Trudiann Branker using rum distilled from the distillery’s 2019 estate sugar cane harvest in Saint Lucy. The liquid is 100% double-pot-distilled from Mount Gay’s own molasses, grown on the Oxford Estate, aged five years in ex-bourbon barrels, and bottled at a robust 55% ABV. At $350, it’s positioned as a collector-grade release — but one with serious flavor credentials.

In my full review of Mount Gay Single Estate Series 25_04_Vt19dp — which you can read here — the first impression was immediate: the nose carries a rubbery, earthy edge that recalls peated whisky. Not smoke, per se, but that same gritty, industrial vibe that anchors even the fruitiest Islay malts. Admittedly, I came into the experience as a whiskey drinker first and foremost, but I’ve tasted plenty of rums, as well, and certainly wasn’t expecting a peat-adjacent flavor profile.

Traditional rum markers show up — tropical fruit, soft sweetness — yet they never overpower that darker, moodier backbone. Notes like grilled mango, mint, horseradish and a gritty rubber tone create a tension that’s unusual for Barbadian rum and deeply compelling.

The palate continues the push-and-pull dynamic. A moderate-to-rich mouthfeel sets the stage for bright pear, apple and mango before shifting into softer coconut and sugar-cookie sweetness. All the while, the darker profile lurks: tobacco, coffee grounds and that rubbery note.

None of these profiles dominate. Instead, the rum’s dual identities — sunny, tropical fruit and brooding, earthy depth — work together in remarkable harmony. Fans of Ardbeg’s sweeter releases or anything else Islay will recognize and appreciate the balance.

The finish leans grassy and long, bursting with vanilla, pear and a massive sugarcane character. As it winds down, a funky tropical note emerges, reminding you that yes, this is indeed a Barbadian rum.

Why Peated Scotch Drinkers Need to Taste This Rum

While there’s no actual peat in this rum, the profile delivers many of the qualities that Scotch drinkers look for:

• Earthiness and depth reminiscent of coastal or lightly peated malts
• A high ABV that preserves complexity
• A layered palate that flips between sweet and savory
• A long, evolving finish with grassy, vegetal and funky tones

It’s a rare opportunity for Scotch fans to explore rum without sacrificing the tension and darkness they enjoy in whisky.

A Holiday-Ready Splurge

At $350, Mount Gay’s 25_04_Vt19dp is undeniably a premium buy. But it’s also one of the most distinctive rums of the year — a bottle that will fascinate rum lovers, whisky lovers and collectors alike. If you’re gifting for someone who appreciates peated Scotch or experimental rum profiles, this is a luxurious and genuinely thoughtful choice.

Read our full tasting notes and verdict in the complete review of Mount Gay Single Estate Series 25_04_Vt19dp here.

Dictador Game Changer rum has arrived stateside. (Photo: Dictador)

Colombian rum producer Dictador has launched its limited-edition Game Changer collection in the United States, marking the U.S. debut of a sculptural, artist-designed spirit aimed at collectors and high-end buyers.

Created in partnership with French contemporary artist Richard Orlinski, the Game Changer collection blends rum craftsmanship with visual art. Each bottle features Orlinski’s signature angular design and Kong-head motif, transforming the packaging into a display piece. The rum inside is a blend of aged spirits selected by master distiller Hernan Parra.

The first two editions — Violet and Grey — are now available in New York and online in limited quantities. Each 700-milliliter bottle has a suggested retail price of $160.

“Game Changer is not just a launch – it’s a movement,” Dictador Americas Managing Director Chris Spalding, said in a news release. “We’re introducing a new language for collectible spirits: sculptural, bold, and streetwise. This is for the bold thinkers shaping culture.”

The launch follows European debuts in Paris, Milan and Prague. A total of 18 bottle designs are planned for the Game Changer series, with new versions scheduled for release every two months.

Each edition of Game Changer contains rum distilled from virgin cane honey and aged in American oak barrels along Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Tasting notes include aromas of maple syrup, caramel, orange peel and clove. The palate offers flavors of roasted nuts, dark honey and dried citrus, with a long finish.

Orlinski, who has collaborated with Dictador since 2022, described the collection as a product “for the disruptors.”

“It’s for people who express themselves through what they drink, wear, and collect,” he added.

Dictador rums are produced in Cartagena, Colombia, where the brand has operated for over a century. It has recently expanded its “Art Distilled” initiative, partnering with artists to create collectible spirits that merge fine art and alcohol.

Game Changer bottles are available in select New York retailers and bars, as well as nationwide via Flaviar.com, while supplies last.

Dictador made headlines in September 2022, when it announced it had “hired” an AI robot to be its CEO. In 2023, that AI CEO, Mika, compared itself to Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk.

(Photo: Ron del Barrilito)

On Friday, Ron del Barrilito unveiled the second edition of its coveted Pedro Fernández Selection rum. This time around, the Puerto Rican distiller is paying homage to its founder with a 27-year age statement matured in oloroso sherry casks.

The origins of this batch date back to October 3, 1997, when the liquor was placed in a 500-liter barrel simply dubbed “1598” at the Hacienda Santa Ana. That single cask yielded a total of 229 bottles, which are now going on sale at a suggested retail price of $1,485 each.

Tasting notes are few and far between, though the brand says that the expression is defined by a woody aroma, reddish color and fruity sweetness on the palate. Generally speaking, Ron del Barrilito’s products are distinguished by strong flavors of maple and stone fruit, either of which could easily be amplified or muted after nearly three decades in the barrel.

The single-cask series pays homage to the titular Don Pedro Fernández, who founded the brand in his home country of Puerto Rico in 1880. The historic distiller remained in the hands of the Fernández family until 2017, when the brand was bought out by Joaquin Bacardi, the former CEO of the Bacardi Corporation, alongside a group of local investors. Another name was brought into the mix earlier this year when Spirit of Gallo, the powerhouse behind High Noon Vodka Seltzer, inked a “significant investment” in the brand.

Chances are, that investment will help boost the rum’s visibility in the U.S. down the road.

Ron Del Barrilito is best known for its flagship 3 Stars expression, a blended rum we’ve grown quite fond of over the past few months. Full of mango, orange peel and brown sugar on the nose, its palate gives way to a medley of ginger, currants and those aforementioned maple and stewed fruit notes. The expression holds a Raided Score of 84 on our site.

If you’re interested in checking out Pedro Fernández Selection II, find the preorder link here.

(Photo: Pernod Ricard)

On Friday, Cuba’s Havana Club Rum announced a seasonal collaboration with Jonathan Raksha, a Toronto-based goldsmith known for celebrity clientele like Rihanna, Post Malone, A$AP Rocky and J Balvin.

In lieu of actual jewels, Raksha has reimagined the brand’s Añejo 7 Años bottle with an eye for what he calls “La Cubanía” — a distillation of Cuba’s lively spirit as seen through its architecture and city streets. Each label is adorned with a kaleidoscope of interlocking gold chains swirling out in a vortex design. The expression comes with a handwritten note from Raksha that reads, “Like a glimmering jewel, her waters shine like diamonds. Rich in colour & spirit. My beloved Cuba.”

Raksha is best known within Hollywood circles as the owner of Toronto Grillz, whose designs have recently garnered A-list co-signs from the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Tyla. Raksha also owns and operates Maison Raksha, which has a more generalized focus on high-end watches, eyewear and jewelry.

“As a brand rooted in Cuban culture and craftsmanship, we’re excited to collaborate with such a bold and innovative artist like Jonathan Raksha,” global brand manager Jules Ferrer told The Spirits Business. “His design brings a new life to our flagship rum, celebrating the fusion of art, culture, and the exceptional quality Havana Club is known for across the world.”

Havana Club Añejo 7 Años x Jonathan Raksha will touch down in 12 countries including the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain beginning this month. Fans in the U.S., however, will not be able to purchase the release.

That may sound confusing, as you almost certainly have access to a brand called “Havana Club” at a liquor store near you.

The Havana Club name is currently split between two competing spirits conglomerates. The version produced in Cuba is operated as a joint venture between French firm Pernod Ricard and the Cuban government; it ships to nearly all countries except for the U.S., which has a long-standing trade embargo against products originating from the island.

American consumers instead have access to Bacardi’s version of Havana Club distilled in Puerto Rico. For a deep dive into the political backdrop behind the split, find our full breakdown here.

To see how critics have reviewed Havana Club’s rums, click here.

(Photos: Brands for Fans)

Last week, KISS celebrated the 50th anniversary of its acclaimed 1974 album, “Hotter Than Hell,” with a blended rum that pays homage to each of the band’s glam rockin’ members.

The spirit is a blend of 14-year-old rums aged in ex-bourbon and Batavia Arrack leggers (a type of barrel) sourced from Guyana and Jamaica. Batavia Arrack, a rum subvariety typically credited to Indonesia, is distilled from a combination of malted red Japanese rice and fermented sugarcane. The spirit is bright, bold and, depending on who you ask, a little intimidating; reviewers have described its palate as somewhere between bread dough, basil, browned bananas and saffron.

Hotter Than Hell Rum is said to boast hints of those flavors in subtle form alongside notes of almonds, vanilla and fudge. On the nose, aromas of butterscotch and dark chocolate that could likely be attributed to the use of ex-bourbon casks.

For many, however, the highlight of the show will be the bottle itself. Each aspect of its label was designed as a nod to the band’s alter egos: a golden star for The Starchild, a bass drum for The Catman, pointed flames for The Demon and lightning bolts for The Spaceman. Bottled at 45% ABV, the rum is now available for pre-order online at £55 ($71).

“This blend embodies the raw energy and power of KISS while offering a refined experience that rum aficionados will appreciate,” Filip Lundquist, CEO at Brands For Fans and parent company Umida Group, remarked in a news release. “With its deep flavours and robust character, it’s a fitting tribute to a band that has been pushing boundaries for 50 years.”

The release was helmed by Bands for Fans, a Swedish company launched in 2018 that specializes in rock band-themed spirits releases. Over the years, the company has launched collaborative bottlings with Motörhead, Rammstein, Slayer, HammerFall and Def Leppard just to name a few.

No name in its catalog has been shown quite as much love as KISS. If anything, the company could be classified as a KISS factory; Brands For Fans has teamed up with the brand on two varieties of gin and three varieties of rum dubbed with heavy metal names like Black Diamond, Detroit Rock and  Monstrum. Hotter Than Hell is their sixth collaboration to date.

Kiss Hotter Than Hell Rum Tasting Notes, Per the Brand

• Nose: Sophisticated notes of butterscotch, dates and dark chocolate
• Palate: Smooth yet complex, leading with distinct tones of arrack and crème caramel. Clear oak character follows, rounded off with hints of almond, vanilla and fudge
• Finish: Full bodied and well-balanced, highlighting the character developed through extended aging

(Photo: Sazerac)

On Wednesday, Myers’s Rum unveiled a quintet of spirits finished in Buffalo Trace Antique Collection casks. The collaboration promises to combine some of the world’s most coveted whiskeys with the distinctly funky flavor of Jamaican rum.

Myers’s recruited assistance from George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller, Sazerac Rye 18 YO, Thomas H. Handy and Eagle Rare 17 YO to accomplish the lofty goal. Each expression began life with the brand’s four-year dark rum before finishing an undisclosed time in their respective Buffalo Trace barrels.

It’s not the first (or likely the last) time that Sazarac has married its flagship brands by way of a limited release. Corazón Tequila’s annual “Expresiones del Corazón” collection has finished agave spirits in Weller, Sazerac Rye, Stagg, Larue and even Blanton’s barrels in years past. Myers’s is the first to add rum into the equation.

Expressions in the Myers’s Signature Cask collection will roll out at a suggested retail price of $79.99 beginning this month. Alcohol content and tasting notes, however, vary wildly between each of the bottlings.

“In crafting these rums, we focused on sourcing and experimenting with outstanding spirits and producers to create category-redefining products,” Sazerac master blender Drew Mayville remarked in a news release. “With these new collections, we’re crossing spirit categories to see how the flavors interact, challenging ourselves to think creatively to develop products that entice consumers to try something they may not have previously considered.”

A full breakdown of the Signature Cask Collection is as follows:

Myers‘s Rum Signature Cask Collection – Finished in George T. Stagg Barrels is bottled at 100 proof, the highest of the bunch. Finished in a barrel that previously held 15-year barrel-proof bourbon reserves, this expression is said to boast aromas of dark molasses, leather and coffee alongside flavors of dark cherries and brown sugar. Myers’s claims that its palate is “the most powerful and complex of the five.”

Myers‘s Rum Signature Cask Collection – Finished in William Larue Weller Barrels adjust the alcohol content down to a cozy 83 proof. Time spent in 12-year wheated bourbon barrels is said to impart aromas of butterscotch and ripe bananas, flavors of vanilla, charred oak and sweet baking spice and a bourbon-tinged finish.

 Myers‘s Rum Signature Cask Collection – Finished in Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old Barrels is bottled at 86 proof. Myers’s says that the “natural sweetness of rum” plays ball against the “sharpness of the rye” with notes of orange peel, pineapple, subtle spice and lingering pepper.

Myers‘s Rum Signature Cask Collection – Finished in Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye Barrels clocks in at 84.5 proof. A rye-driven spiciness once again takes center stage, evidenced by mulled aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg and fruit. The Handy barrels used for this expression previously held 6-year unfiltered whiskey.

Myers‘s Rum Signature Cask Collection – Finished in Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Barrels, purportedly the most bourbon-forward in the collection, is bottled at 86 proof. Expect aromas of vanilla, baking spice and dark chocolate mixed with a palate of tropical fruit, oak and vanilla.

(Photo: Hampden Estate)

Last week, historied Jamaican rum distiller Hampden Estate rolled out the latest bottling in its annual Great House series.

Aged an undisclosed time in ex-bourbon barrels, this sixth annual release combines three marks of different vintages. Without diving too deep into the details, marks or “marques” correspond to the characteristics of a particular cut of rum, including but not limited to aromatic intensity, flavor, body and chemical structure. Those qualities can be attributed to the use of certain raw materials — in the case of Jamaican rum, especially Hampden Estate, the addition of dunder and muck add a distinctive funky flavor.

This year’s expression was distilled in double retort pot stills before being bottled at 57% ABV. According to Hampden Estate, its aroma and flavor are full of tension; expect notes of mint, red fruits and tropical sweetness alongside earthy hits of slate, dry soil and a finish reminiscent of a “lit Havana cigar.”

The release pays homage to the eponymous Great House on the Hampden property. Constructed in 1779 by the Stirling family, the squat two-story building was used to store the brand’s rum barrels until the 20th century. Today, it acts as a reception hall.

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Hampden’s Great House releases are something of a treat for rum nerds, ourselves included. We’ve had a chance to try a couple of these bottlings over the years and have been consistently wowed by the results.

2022’s release, bottled at 55% ABV, piled on gobs of rich and funky papaya, brown sugar, tannin dryness and just the right prick of ethanol. A notch more impressive in our opinion was the 2021 vintage, also bottled at 55% ABV. Its unruly palate of sweet cream, banana, rotting fruit and maple was a wild ride through the depths of Jamaican rum. With a couple more proof points under its belt, we hope that the 2024 vintage can go even further.

Bottles of Great House 2024 have begun popping up through retailers at around $130. For more information on the details, find the Hampden Estate fact sheet here.

Hampden Great House 2024 Tasting Notes, Per the Brand

Nose: “Full with a lot of tension. Mint, ripe mango and dry earth form a subtle and precise first sequence of aromas. Quince jelly, bramble jam and orange marmalade then set a richer tone.”

Palate: “Clear and lively. The flavour palette is at first abundantly tropical (coconut, mango, passion fruit) and matches the nose perfectly. Alternating between warm and refreshing sequences, it offers a taste of chocolate drops, fragments of slate and mint tea.”

Finish: “Rich and invigorating. The intense finish lingers on herbaceous (lit Havana cigar) and peppery tones. Diverse infusions of red fruits and marshmallow bring freshness. Increasingly rich, the finish ends on cranberry and raisin.”

Here at The Daily Pour, we do more than write about current events in spirit. We are the only media property reviewing spirits and aggregating the scores and reviews of other significant voices in the spirit world in one place. If you’re interested in getting a shot of spirit in your morning email, sign up for our Whiskey Deal of the Day Newsletter

(Photo: Brugal)

On Tuesday, Brugal Rum expanded its Colección Visionaria series with an ode to Dominican coffee culture. Limited to just 35,000 bottles, the expression is intended as a liquid ritual and collector’s piece wrapped into one.

The spirit was finished in virgin French oak casks seasoned with rare Dominican Arabica coffee beans. The brand says that only 20% of the coffee produced in the Dominican Republic is exported abroad; the rest of that “best-kept secret” is consumed locally, often in gatherings of friends and family dubbed “cafecito.”

Though there’s no direct contact between coffee and rum in Brugal’s process, the liquor is said to boast darkened flavors of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and figs. The expression is bottled at 45% ABV and is slated to hit retailers this month at a suggested price of $100.

Production was overseen by maestra ronera Jassil Villanueva Quintana. Appointed to the position at the age of 24, Quintana simultaneously became the brand’s first female master distiller and the youngest “Master of Rum” in the world.

“Many stories and laughs have been shared over a cherished cafecito in the Dominican Republic. It is these warm moments and nostalgic aromas that we wanted to recreate in Colección Visionaria Edición 02,” Quintana remarked in a news release. “This new rum is a celebration of shared moments and memories, an invitation to enjoy the warmth of good company and the rich, inviting flavors of our homeland.

The release was preceded by Colección Visionaria Edición 01, which incorporated the same cask-toasting technique albeit with cacao beans. The expression earned rave reviews at launch; Christopher Null of Drinkhacker noted that the chocolate influence was light-handed, taking a back seat to hefty flavors of dried plums, allspice and toasted caramel.

We’re eager to see how Brugal’s latest twist on the concept works out. Other brands, notably Quintaliza Tequila, have experimented with finishing alcohol in ex-coffee casks to excellent effect. Done right, the result is neither a liqueur nor an infused spirit, but a nuanced blend that hits just the right subtlety of aroma and flavor.

For more information on the release, find the Brugal website here.

Brugal Colección Visionaria Edición 02, Coffee Tasting Notes, Per the Brand

• Color: Dark golden amber
• Nose: Rich caramel and freshly brewed coffee with layers of dark chocolate and sweet vanilla, accented by subtle smoky hints.
• Taste: A complex blend of spices—cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg—transition into delicate notes of figs and dates, ending with a deep, satisfying coffee flavor.
• Finish: A lingering, smooth smokiness that leaves a lasting impression of balanced flavors.

Here at The Daily Pour, we do more than write about current events in spirit. We are the only media property reviewing spirits and aggregating the scores and reviews of other significant voices in the spirit world in one place. If you’re interested in getting a shot of spirit in your morning email, sign up for our Whiskey Deal of the Day Newsletter