WIRSPA hosts Global Rum Industry at Technical Conference in Jamaica
Over 130 rum professionals, from 25 distilleries in 17 countries, recently met in Kingston, Jamaica, for the WIRSPA Technical Conference 2025. Organized by the West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers’ Association (WIRSPA) and hosted by the Jamaica Rum & Spirits Trade Association, the event showcased the strength, innovation, and camaraderie of the rum-producing world.
Held from May 19 to 22 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, the conference featured a dynamic programme of technical panels, supplier exhibits, and collaborative discussions — all focused on improving competitiveness and sustainability across the sector. This year’s Supplier Showcase brought together over 30 companies offering services and equipment ranging from stills and automation systems to environmental technologies, packaging, barrels, and scientific analysis tools.
A visit to Clarendon Distillers operated by National Rums of Jamaica Ltd. was the highlight of the week, where attendees experienced both state-of-the-art production and traditional rum-making practices that date back centuries.
“We were very pleased to welcome our regional and international colleagues to Jamaica, a country where the heritage of rum-making runs deep,” said Clement “Jimmy” Lawrence, Chairman of the Jamaica Rum & Spirits Trade Association and the Spirits Pool Association Ltd. “It was especially meaningful for our local teams to collaborate and be able to actively participate and benefit from the high-level technical knowledge being shared. Seeing that heritage come to life during the distillery visit was a fitting tribute to our legacy.”
The technical sessions explored a wide range of topics critical to rum production including molasses supply, sustainability initiatives, ageing warehouse design, climate change, waste treatment, fermentation, distillation, and fire & explosion prevention. These were led by producers and specialists from across the region and further afield.
A standout conclusion to the event was the Blenders Forum, where six of the Caribbean’s most respected Master Blenders — Shaun Caleb (Demerara Distillers Ltd.), David Morrison (J. Wray & Nephew Ltd. / Campari), Trudiann Branker (Mount Gay Distilleries Ltd.), Robert Gordon (National Rums of Jamaica Ltd.), Deny Duplessis (St Lucia Distillers), and Craig Nicholson (Worthy Park Estate) — discussed their blending philosophies in a guided tasting of their rums.
Margaret Monplaisir, Chairperson of WIRSPA, praised the forum’s spirit of collaboration, “This conference exemplifies the value of sharing experiences and technical best practices in key areas critical to the long-term success and competitiveness of our members.” She stated that both large companies and smaller producers benefit when they all come together as a community and was particularly pleased that WIRSPA had championed this collaboration for over 50 years. “Events like this,” she said, “prove how essential it is for such meaningful cooperation to continue.”