Manchester Rum Festival is back – with top rums from around the world

The Manchester Rum Festival is back in the city next June, and set to firmly place Manchester on the map as a rum destination around the world.

This year’s festival heads back to Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel in Piccadilly Gardens after a successful 2021 showing, ready to host Manchester’s first and only dedicated official rum festival. 

The festival will bring rum brands from around the continents both new and old for a jam-packed day of education, immersion and celebration of all things sugarcane. 

Featuring expressions from single and multi-distillery producers, to flavour enhanced bottlings, as well as cocktails, traditional food, and music, this is a drinks festival like no other bringing together rum producers and brands, bartenders, spirits enthusiasts and rum fans. 

Hailing from Jamaica and Guyana to Manchester via the Philippines, contemporary brands such as Streamertail will be showcased for the first time at the event, while local rum brands Tameside Distillery, Diablesse and Salford are also confirmed as exhibitors. 

Also new to Manchester Rum Festival is the world’s biggest-selling rum, Tanduay. 

Hailing from the Philippines, Tanduay sold 23.9m nine-litre cases in 2020 alone and will be heading to Manchester with their range to taste.

Guests will have the opportunity to sample first-to-market drinks and take part in immersive experiences as some of the rum industry’s most highly respected figures from distillers large and small head to Manchester. 

The Manchester Rum Festival was established five years ago by Dave Marsland, a Manchester-based event curator and rum expert, to showcase the contribution the North West is making within the rum renaissance. 

“The event has grown in size, attendance and importance every year, and despite the setbacks to our 2020/21 festival due to COVID-19,” says Dave.

“I’m so excited we have such fantastic brands coming back to Manchester for the fifth edition. 

“More producers will be added to the exhibitor list over the coming weeks with some great showcases to announce.

“The rum industry is definitely in revival mode and rum makers are raising the bar when it comes to quality, sophistication and creativity of finished products. 

“It’s amazing that we have so many top end rum brands and products being launched right here in the North West, and we promise a warm Mancunian welcome to our rum producers flying in from as far as Guyana!”

The event has been a sell-out for the previous four years – so book your ticket soon to join in the celebration.

Manchester Rum Festival runs from 12pm to 7pm on Saturday 18th June at Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, Piccadilly Gardens. Over 21s only. Tickets are priced at £25 and involve all available samples from the rum brands. Cocktail bar and food not included. Click below to buy tickets.