Jamaican rum producer Worthy Park and Montego Bay resort, Half Moon have partnered to create a proprietary rum blend.

The Special Barrel series, produced exclusively for Half Moon and its guests, is selected from a cask aged 14 years, crafted with entirely local ingredients and distilled using the artisanal pot method with a label inspired by Half Moon’s Lester’s Bar. The rum is said to be of exceptional quality, highlighting the best of Jamaica, which is in keeping with the Half Moon brand.

In terms of guest experience, Half Moon offers a rum tasting for imbibers to compare the limited edition Worthy Park rum of which there are only 306 bottles with other Worthy Park selects as well as various producers from the island. Operations Director at Half Moon, Giorgio Rusconi explains that the rum selection was made by the Steuart family, one of the three owners of Half Moon adding, “the rum is [also] offered in cocktails and is a popular after-dinner drink”.

He shared that the versatility of the spirit and the quality is able to be enjoyed neat. Commenting on the association with Worthy Park with Forbes magazine, Rusconi says, “considering Jamaica’s legacy as one of the best rum producers, and in our opinion – the best – the next step for Half Moon was to establish a partnership with a rum producer that would manifest a unique experience for our guests”.

He emphasised that this partnership with Worthy Park, one of the oldest continually operating Jamaican distillery located in the heart of Lluidas Vale in St Catherine, represents Half Moon’s continued efforts to support local. Continuing, Rusconi argues that Worthy Park is the only distillery in Jamaica that uses solely Jamaican ingredients.

The rum label was created using artwork, which hangs in Lester’s Bar at Half Moon, painted by Michael Lester – a Polish sailor who made Montego Bay his home in 1953. The painting, Junkanoo, is one of many that hang on the walls at Half Moon, known as the largest private collector of his art. The rum reflects history and through production and presentation.