VOTED 10th MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN THE 2020 BAR WORLD’S TOP 100.
Drinks International, Sept 2020
Ian Burrell, the award winning “EduTainer”, has redefined the definition of an international spirits ambassador. An ex professional basketball player in the UK and international recording artist, he has now established himself as the world’s ONLY
recognised Global Ambassador for the rum category. He has conducted masterclasses and seminars, sipped cocktails and judged competitions on no less than 7 continents around the world.
And in 2014 he even took the time to break the Guinness World Record for the largest organised rum tasting & masterclass. His passion for rum and cocktails is infectious and in 2007 he not only created the world’s first international Rum festival (The UK RumFest), he also inspired the birth of
rum festivals around the world including Miami, Berlin, Paris, Rome, Madrid, Prague, Hong Kong, California, New York, Chicago and Mauritius. As an “Edu-tainer”, he is in constant demand by various rum companies and organisations to give key note speeches, rum tastings, cocktail presentations and demonstrations to trade & consumers alike. Ian is also currently the rum &; cocktail specialist on television’s channel 4 entertainment show,” Sunday Brunch”, where he is regularly seen by millions of viewers educating celebrity guests on various rums and rum cocktails.
But what is even more remarkable is that he is the Spirited Awards 7-time final four nominee and 2018 winner of the International Brand Ambassador of the year at the prestigious Spirited Awards
part of The Tales of the Cocktail celebrations in New Orleans, even though Ian doesn’t represent any single brand, but a category.
In 2019 Ian was voted by his peers at the THINK RUM event in London held by Agile Media as Rum’s Champion. He has also launched his first Rum festival in Miami, USA called The Miami Rum Congress which focuses on education and Rum Experiences in the America.
In 2020 Ian was voted 10th most influential person in the World Drinks industry by Drinks International.
To be successful, the first thing to do is
to fall in love with your work.”
Boutique RumFest Trade & Conference Day is a trade & press only event. Created Specifically For New Or Boutique Rums & Cachaça Brands, new lines or new releases or just simply for those brands who wish to re-engage with the trade and press.
Ian Burrell, The Global Rum Ambassador @therumambassador taught us a lot about how Jamaica’s rums have influenced cocktail and rum making all over the world 
Did you know that Jamaican rum is the most imitated in the world 
“To be successful, the first thing to do is to fall in love with your work.” 2019 International Brand Ambassador Of The Year, Tales Of The Cocktail
RumFest a fantastic chance to get the inside track on the next big thing in rum as well as try some hidden gems. This is THE event for anyone in the business of rum, with the worlds best brands, master blenders, distilleries and aficionados from across the globe. Also includes the Rum Experience University.
Even though larger brands have an enormous footprint, there feels like a rum renaissance happening amongst the finer rums. What do you credit most for rum’s recent rise?
“I credit Ian Burrell with creating the first rum festival in the world in London. It was a smashing success beyond all expectations. It allowed us to introduce our style of rums to one of the world’s most desirable audiences – London. Festivals all over the world have followed”.
Richard Seale, Award winning Master Distiller of The Foursquare Distillery in Barbados Forbes.com (excert)
Boutique RumFest, the UK’s leading rum trade event, is back for a seventh year. Showcasing new and independent rums and cachaças, the festival provides a platform for the industry to network and try new releases.
With the rum category growing at a fast pace, many of the world’s great rums have little marketing budget or are based in the tropics. This means oppourtinites for marketing in the UK are limited.
The day is set to showcase these rums, with indepth tasting and masterclasses, as well as a trade conference.
Masterclasses include ones from Richard Seale (master distiller at Foursquare Distillery, Barbados, Jeff Beachbum Berry (award-winning tiki Author and cocktail historian) and Bryan Davis ( distiller at the Lost Spirits Distillery in California, USA).
London Rum Week is a week-long celebration of rum across bars all over the capital, ahead of RumFest. Activities that will take place across London during the week include the launch of Hampden Rum at Usain Bolt’s Tracks & Records restaurant, a Q&A with film producer Bailey Pryor, and a showcase of rare rums and cigars at La Casa del Habano with Richard Seale.
Rum-lovers from across the capital will have endless opportunities to get involved.
Golden Rum Barrel Awards celebrate the stars of the Rum industry in a relaxed and luxurious setting with delicious food, drinks and live entertainment. Trophy awards & certificates will be given to honor categories such as Best Rum Maker, Rum Distillers, Rum Ambassadors , Rum Writer, UK Rum Bar, Rum Bartender of the Year, as well as best new Rums.
This is the much coveted award for anyone in the industry of rum as it is voted for by professionals within the industry and has been sponsored by companies such as Coco Real, Green Engineering etc.
Please email Sam Edwards: management@rumfest.co.uk
