After a two-year physical hiatus, the Jamaica Rum Festival on Saturday (June 25) made its welcome return, much to the delight of entertainment seekers, spirit lovers, and culture fanatics.

Providing a healthy mix of music, edutainment, mouthwatering cuisine, premium cocktails, and exposure to a wide array of visionary entrepreneurs via its Artisan Village, JRF delivered attendees a ‘world-class’ festival experience.

Recognising that Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best rum brands, JRF, presented by Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum in partnership with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), pulled out all the stops to produce a truly Jamaican event that is arguably the largest rum festival in the Caribbean.

From history lessons in Jamaican rum, insightful rum seminars courtesy of Appleton Estate’s master blender Dr Joy Spence, a world of authentic Jamaican arts and craft to a melting pot of food options, the JFF had it all.

And just when it seemed things couldn’t have got any better, attendees were treated to a welcome dose of sweet reggae music, from upcoming acts dBurnz, D’Voyce, Kalyra, and Sevana, as well as veterans in the business Tessanne Chin, Romain Virgo, and Sanchez.

When asked by Our Today what her thoughts were on the event, patron Candace Lorne shared: “TOP TIER. I don’t just come back because I am a rum person, but because the experience is truly is one of a kind and gets better with each staging.”

Similar sentiments to Lorne’s were also expressed by Donae Reid, who stated: “The event was well executed. From the entrance and throughout the entire venue, each booth brought their A-game!”

She added that the festival was “great vibes” and that she loved the integration of an educational section “where they displayed the various processes in the production and manufacturing of rum”.

On the matter of the new venue, patron Dwayne Haynes told Our Today: “I initially had my doubts about Mobay but now I can say that this one has definitely been the best stagings, and I’ve been attending from Day 1.

“Jamaica Rum Festival is simply superb. Kudos to Valon Thorpe (JRF festival director), the Ministry of Tourism (and all) the event sponsors.”

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