The Rolling Stones Celebrate Caribbean Influences with New Rum

What we’re drinking: Crossfire Hurricane Rum

Where it’s from: Crossfire Hurricane is the inaugural product owned by The Rolling Stones. In a statement, band members Mick Jagger and Keith Richards share their connection to Caribbean rum: “To us, the Caribbean is more than just a beautiful place. It’s a part of our story. This aged, blended rum is our tribute to the islands that have inspired us for decades. Enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or in the cocktail of your choosing — but never in silence.”

Why we’re drinking this: It’s almost National Rum Day (Aug. 16), and we recently witnessed The Rolling Stones live for the first time. Plus, celebrity rums aren’t that common, so we were intrigued. The rum’s name is inspired by the opening lyric “I was born in a crossfire hurricane” from the Stones’ 1968 hit “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.”

Why rum? “Crossfire Hurricane Rum emerged from The Rolling Stones’ deep-seated connection to the Caribbean, which began in the ’70s while recording their album Goats Head Soup in Kingston, Jamaica,” explains Kyle Rivera, Head of Sales for Crossfire Hurricane Rum. “The Caribbean’s lively energy and music profoundly influenced the band, and over the years, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have often spent time on the islands during their breaks from touring.”

According to Rivera, the band had significant input in the final product. Richards and Jagger visited the distilleries in Jamaica, Barbados, and the Dominican Republic and had a say in the flavor profile, branding, and overall vision of the rum. Let’s dive in.

How it tastes: The brand describes the 40% ABV rum as a “Caribbean blend [that] incorporates rums from Jamaica, Barbados, and the Dominican Republic that are perfectly aged in carefully selected oak barrels.” The aging has been described as “up to five years.”

That’s three distinct styles of rum, ranging from funky to fruity to balanced and light (a mix of column and pot still). Without knowing the specific distilleries or the exact blend, we can only judge by taste. This amber-hued spirit offers a medley of citrus, toffee, oak spice, pineapple, banana, tobacco, and brown sugar. It’s a pleasant mix of styles and, while not overly distinctive, it is certainly a crowd-pleaser and an excellent mixer.

Fun fact: I saw the Stones earlier this spring at MetLife Stadium. Although there were some expected moments — the band opening with “Start Me Up” and encoring with “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” — it was an extremely energetic show. The stage setup and video were spectacular. After five minutes, it was easy to forget that Mick Jagger is 81 and enjoy the concert, highlighted by an extended and sizzling take on “Miss You.” And the new tracks? They were good!

Where to buy: You can find Crossfire Hurricane for $37 on ReserveBar for a single bottle and $125 for the Hackney Diamonds gift set.

Source: Multiple