Rum Producer Challenges Ruling After Removal of ‘Jamaican Rum’ Designation

National Rums of Jamaica Limited, NRJ, is battling against its own parent association regarding the geographical designation of Jamaican Rum.

NRJ has appealed the decision of the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office, JIPO, which ruled in favour of the Spirits Pool Association of which it was once a member. 

The appeal comes after JIPO ruled that NRJ’s products, which are aged overseas, should not benefit from the Jamaica Rum designation.

NRJ are the owners and operators of Long Pond Distillers and Clarendon Distilleries Limited.

Chevon Campbell tells us more.

In 2016, rum producers decided on a set of criteria for the definition of Jamaican rum as a geographical indication, GI, with JIPO’s assistance. 

To be designated Jamaica Rum, the product can only be manufactured in Jamaica using naturally filtered limestone water from limited and specific geographical zones.

It should be aged in small barrels no larger than 250 litres made from food-grade wood.

It must also be produced from sugar cane substrates such as molasses and sugar cane juice, using special distillation stills made with copper.

More importantly, no sugar or other materials should be added after distillation, and it is aged only in Jamaica.

The GI designation aims to protect the sector from counterfeiting by setting rules for making Jamaican rum.

While much of NRJ’s rum is distilled in Jamaica, a significant portion of the product is then aged outside of the country. JIPO found this to be in violation of the Jamaican Rum Geographical Indication.

NRJ says it filed an appeal in the Supreme Court on Thursday, October 31, 2024. It says it raised important issues for the court’s review and determination. 

NRJ has also sought urgent relief from the court pending the hearing of the appeal, given the immediate consequences arising from the decision and the subsequent actions taken by the registrar.

The distiller says it aims to safeguard the legacy and value of its brands and those of its buyers, which have helped to establish Jamaica Rum as a premium product worldwide.