The modern use (20th C) of "additives" in rum in the older producing countries followed identical practices in scotch - sherry pax and prune wine - same sources supplied scotch and the British WI - saying additives is "traditional" in rum is a laughable as saying its traditional in scotch.
And they were sold as "white rum" or "coloured rum" in the anglophone West Indies - hardly a discreet "additive", more like two versions. Also colloquially called "red rum" (still to this day in some places)
Tradition? whose tradition? Jamaica has has protection against "additives" since before Scotch W. French tradition ? tell me all the old brands who practice it? The exception is caramel which original use had nothing to do with colour correction nor imitating age (or for that matter costing more).
3 year minimum rule
Perhaps the way to turn it around is nothing more than to look to its own roots. It was the doyen of Jamaica Rum in its time. Fred Myers even wanted to introduce the 3 year old in 1921 (as the thinking back then for "health reasons". It is an object lesson in the need for protection like Scotch etc
Myers's was historically matured ONLY in Jamaica.
Most of Myers's history is as an outstanding Jamaica rum. In the 1920s, it had the second largest aged reserves of any Jamaica brand. In the 30s/40s, was arguably the most prestigious Jamaica brand with releases up to 40 years old. Its slow decline began after acquisition by Seagram in 1950s.
Can you add a surcharge ?
Doorly's Barbados Rum being loaded at the Careenage (our original natural harbour) in 1960, bound for Canada.
On the left an Ad in the National Post in 1962
I think cultural differences are very important in our wines and spirits world to recognise and respect, they are both right in their context.
I still drive a manual transmission
is the context here that it is sweetened?
rum *or whisky
Seems a slightly different context - 'the liqueur' as opposed to qualifying a very special whisky or rum - but interesting and earlier than I have seen it in rum of whisky.
hardly novel to rum - this from 1888
they look a little tricky to operate
Renegade in Grenada effectively closed too
freshly arrived ex-madeira casks - soon to be filled with rum
