Visit a historic, four-storey merchants house and join this interactive rum experience. Includes tastings and a cocktail with Charles Merser & Co. 

WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT?

Rum. What’s the first thing that comes to mind? Pirates, Barbados, Cola?

This is a drink that comes laced with stories from the past. As long ago as the 14th century the explorer Marco Polo enjoyed a tipple, in 1655 the Royal navy thought a tot would improve health and morale and in the 1970’s a rum and Coke with ’ice and a slice’ was the height of sophistication. Moving on and rum is poised to become a drink to be taken very seriously, and London is leading with the way, revitalising the skills of the rum blending house.

TELL ME MORE?

At Charles Merser & Co. they are producing rum using a centuries-old traditional approach that has not been employed in London for the past hundred years - sourcing rums from across the Caribbean and then blending them to produce a delicious, natural product. This is a family company, with a long involvement in the London rum trade, determined to bring a lost craft back to the capital.

This experience is moments from the mooring points of the barges that once transported stocks of rum up and down the Thames. At the sign of the Post & Hound you will discover a historic, four-storey merchants house, complete with an underground cask store, a blending room, bar and tasting rooms. From here you will explore London’s history with the spirit, while enjoying a seasonal cocktail, before getting down to the serious stuff - an interactive aroma and nosing experience. 

Oh and by the way the height of sophistication is now the Palmetto cocktail. First popularised in the 1800s but harder to find in London today, it is a sophisticated blend of Double Barrel Rum, Italian Sweet Vermouth and orange bitters. You may even get to try it on the tour!

THE ALL IMPORTANT DETAILS 

Each tour lasts 90 minutes at their rum blending house in central London and includes:

• A welcome seasonal cocktail.
• A guided tour of our rum blending house, to include cask store, blending room and introduction to how we make our signature Double Barrel blend.
• An interactive aroma and nosing experience.
• An introduction to the history of rum blending in London.
• An extensive tutored tasting.

Times: Every Thursday at 7pm and once a month on a Saturday.