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.

Rum Champion of the Year: Ian Burrell

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

Ladies and Gentlemen. I present to the world my FIRST Tiki mug called HATIKI. THE TIKI GOD OF HIP HOP AND RUM

The World’s First Data Distilled Rum, created for Virgin Holidays

Rum Communicator of the Year went to Ian Burrell, global ambassador to the rum category, for his vital work in educating consumers and trade alike and helping to keep the spotlight on rum firmly in place by sharing his knowledge, passion and advice.

for the largest official rum tasting

An intensive four-day course which invites rum enthusiasts, journalists, brand ambassadors and bartenders to expand their core knowledge of the spirit with theoretical and practical training from teachers and speakers. Specifically, students are tutored on how to speak effectively in public, how to prepare and execute a rum presentation, and learn how to make a “world class” rum cocktail. From Master Blenders to Master Distillers, from Rum Ambassadors to Rum Chefs, from Scientists to Mixologists, the course is a must for those wishing to become empowered by some of the best rum exponents in the world.

In 2013 Became Rum & Drinks expert on Channel 4’s “Sunday Brunch”

In 2013 Ian Burrell became the first person set up a rum shack in Antarctica.His dream of being able to conduct rum masterclasses and tastings in all seven Continents meant that the most elusive Continent had to be conquered. But not only did he brave the Antarctic cold to spread the gospel of rum, he visited the 6 remaining continents within 10 months further cementing his Global rum ambassador status.

Drinks International Bartender of the Year 2008 Gold medal winner

Drinks International Cocktail Challenge 2008 Gold Medal winner

In 2007 Ian created the UK RumFest, the world’s first international rum festival in London attracting rum companies from all over the world. This festival went on to inspire rum promoters from all over the world to create their own versions of Ian’s RumFest including the Rum Renaissance in Miami,Florida, the Berlin Rum fest in Germany, the Paris Rum fair in France and the Rum show in Rome, Italy. Ian has also personally helped to launch rum festivals in the Czech Republic, Hong Kong and Mauritius.

‘Alcohol is the element and cocktails the compound’ is one of his favorite quotes. But it was his love of tropical cuisine and creating drinks to match that brought his attention to drinks companies such as J Wray & Nephew, who made Ian the first Rum Brand Ambassador in the UK going on to proclaim the title Global Rum Ambassador for which he stands alone!