Caribbean Rum & Spirits Market Research
Deep intelligence on the Caribbean rum and spirits industry. From brand tracking and taste testing expertise to distribution analysis and export market research, HRG helps distilleries, beverage companies, and distributors make data-driven decisions in the world's premier rum-producing region with a $6B+ global market.
The Caribbean Rum & Spirits Industry
The Caribbean is the birthplace and spiritual home of rum, with a $6B+ global market that continues to grow driven by premiumization, craft production, and expanding export opportunities.
$6B+ Global Market
The global Caribbean rum market exceeds $6 billion and is growing steadily, with Caribbean producers commanding premium positioning and heritage appeal.
- • $6B+ global rum market from Caribbean
- • Premium segment growing fastest
- • Export markets expanding globally
Spirits Brand Tracking
Continuous brand health measurement is essential for rum and spirits companies competing in the Caribbean's dynamic beverage market.
- • Brand awareness & trial tracking
- • Competitive brand mapping
- • Brand image attribute measurement
Taste Testing Expertise
HRG operates professional sensory testing facilities for blind and branded taste tests, product profiling, and consumer preference studies for spirits brands.
- • Blind & branded taste tests
- • Sequential monadic testing
- • Trained & consumer panels
Craft Rum Growth
A new wave of craft and artisanal distilleries is emerging across the Caribbean, driven by global demand for authentic, small-batch spirits with provenance stories.
- • Micro-distillery launches growing
- • Tourism-driven distillery experiences
- • Single-estate and terroir rums
Export Market Research
Caribbean rum exports are growing across the US, EU, UK, and emerging Asian markets, requiring research on consumer preferences, regulatory compliance, and competitive dynamics.
- • US remains largest export market
- • EU growth driven by premiumization
- • Regulatory compliance research
Consumer Preference Studies
Understanding drinking occasions, flavor preferences, brand loyalty drivers, and purchase decision factors for Caribbean spirits consumers.
- • Drinking occasion mapping
- • Flavor preference profiling
- • Purchase decision analysis
Rum & Spirits Research Services
Brand Tracking
Continuous brand health measurement tracking awareness, trial, usage, and loyalty for rum and spirits brands across Caribbean markets
Taste Testing
Professional sensory evaluation including blind taste tests, paired comparisons, and product profiling with trained and consumer panels
Distribution Analysis
On-trade and off-trade distribution audits tracking availability, pricing, shelf positioning, and back-bar presence
Export Market Analysis
Identifying and sizing export opportunities in the US, EU, UK, and emerging markets for Caribbean rum brands
Key Rum-Producing Markets
Jamaica
Home to iconic brands like Appleton Estate, Wray & Nephew, and Hampden Estate. Jamaica is renowned for its pot-still, high-ester rums with bold flavor profiles. The island's rum heritage dates back over 350 years, and its Geographical Indication protects the "Jamaica Rum" designation globally.
Jamaica Rum Research →Barbados
Barbados is considered the birthplace of rum, with Mount Gay (est. 1703) claiming to be the world's oldest commercial rum distillery. Other notable producers include Foursquare (acclaimed for its Exceptional Cask Selection) and St. Nicholas Abbey. Barbados rums are known for their elegant, balanced character.
Barbados Spirits Research →Trinidad & Tobago
Home to Angostura, one of the Caribbean's largest spirits companies, known globally for its aromatic bitters and a range of aged rums. Trinidad's multi-column distillation produces lighter-style rums that are popular both domestically and in international cocktail culture.
Trinidad Spirits Research →Guyana
Guyana's Demerara Distillers produces the celebrated El Dorado range, widely regarded among the world's finest aged rums. The distillery maintains heritage wooden stills that produce unique, rich rum profiles. Guyana rum is a key ingredient in premium blends and independent bottlings worldwide.
Guyana Rum Research →Frequently Asked Questions
How large is the Caribbean rum and spirits market?
The Caribbean rum industry contributes to a global rum market worth $6B+ and growing steadily. The region produces the vast majority of the world's premium rum, with major producing nations including Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. The industry spans heritage distilleries, premium aged rums, and a booming craft rum segment.
What research methods work best for spirits market research?
Effective spirits market research combines professional sensory testing (blind and branded taste tests), on-trade audits of bars, restaurants, and hotels, off-trade retail audits of liquor stores and duty-free shops, consumer usage and attitude surveys, and brand tracking studies. HRG's facilities in Kingston, Jamaica enable controlled taste testing with demographically representative panels.
How does rum tourism impact local Caribbean economies?
Rum tourism is a growing economic driver with distillery tours, rum festivals, and tasting experiences attracting visitors and generating revenue. In Jamaica, Appleton Estate attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually. Barbados has developed a 'Rum Route' tourism product. Rum tourism creates jobs, supports local agriculture, and promotes premium Caribbean rum brands internationally.
What are the growth trends in premium Caribbean spirits?
Premium and super-premium Caribbean spirits are experiencing strong growth driven by global premiumization trends. Aged rum categories (12-year, 15-year, 21-year) are growing at double-digit rates. Craft distilleries are emerging across islands with small-batch, artisanal production. Export markets in the US, UK, and Europe are driving demand for authenticated Caribbean rum.
How can you test new spirit products in Caribbean markets?
HRG offers comprehensive new product testing including concept testing, packaging design evaluation, sensory profiling with trained panels, consumer taste tests with target demographics, price sensitivity analysis, and simulated test markets. Our Kingston-based sensory lab uses controlled environments for blind and branded evaluations with preference scores and purchase intent metrics.
Start Your Caribbean Spirits Research Project
Partner with the Caribbean's most experienced beverage research firm. 40+ years of expertise in taste testing, brand tracking, and spirits market intelligence across the region's $6B+ rum industry.