UK RUM TOURS
Britain has no cane but it has centuries of rum history and a run of small distilleries making their own. These 7 cover London, York and the south-west, priced, with what each tasting includes.
Meet your live villain guide at Villains Rum of York on Little Stonegate for a 30-minute tasting tied to York characters from Guy Fawkes to Viking kings. You’ll hear colorful stories, sample flavored rums, and enjoy a theatrical shop setting. It is a standing indoor experience for up to 10 people, with seating available on request.
Spend one hour at DropWorks Rum Distillery near Worksop, where Darren hosts the visit and Shaun may share how the rum is made. You’ll learn about the process, sample several rums, and enjoy a small-group experience limited to 10 people. Under-18s need supervision, and children under 8 cannot attend.
“Darren was very welcoming when we arrived. He made my husband’s birthday treat very special from start to finish. He was very knowledgable when questions were asked. He made a very good happy atmosphere. Would definitely recommend that you should go and taste the rum. Shaun who makes the rum was charming sharing his knowledge of the rum making process.”
Spend 75 minutes at Stratford-upon-Avon’s only working distillery, where guides including Sharon and Dave explain small-batch gin and rum production. See spirits bottled, labelled, sealed, and prepared by hand, then taste three award-winning spirits before choosing gin and tonic or rum with a mixer. Soft drinks are available for children and designated drivers.
“Really good tour - staff so knowledgeable, friendly and comical. Learnt so much and the tasting was great!”
Spend about five hours at Nelson’s Distillery School in Staffordshire, where David and the team explain spirit-making, guide you through more than 60 botanicals, and help you create one shared 70cl bottle of gin, vodka, or unaged rum. You will taste spirits, enjoy lunch, then wax-seal and label your bottle to take home.
In a cosy micro-distillery room beneath The Cumberland Bar, Gary or Neil guides you through rum tasting, recipe design, and distillation. Choose up to 10 botanicals, run your own mini copper still, then bottle, label, name, and wax-seal 500ml of bespoke rum to take home.
At Judith’s on Stratford-upon-Avon’s High Street, you’ll begin with a rum and mixer before tasting Shakespeare Distillery spirits with a friendly guide. Expect about an hour, a small group of up to 16, and an informal lesson on rum making. The historic building has stair access only, and alcohol is served to those aged 18 and over.
Meet Neil at the Cumberland Bar for a three-hour rum workshop limited to two participants. You will taste three flavoured rums, create and distill a bespoke 500ml bottle, enjoy a rum cocktail, then label and wax-seal your bottle to take home.
“extraordinary workshop me and my gf had a lot of fun It's rarely that you see someone being so passionate about his craft while matching the right amount of entertainment. would definitely book another tour next time.”
Pick an island, a still house or a bench with five glasses on it.
