The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has announced that UK rum sales increased last year to almost 35 million bottles.

Worth more than £1bn, the sales figures represented around 9% of the year’s spirits sales, which totalled at just over £11bn. Rum and gin were the biggest earners.

WSTA chief executive Miles Beale said: “It’s been another great year for rum sales in the UK. British drinkers have more choice than ever before when it comes to rum.

“Craft spirits are ‘of the moment’, and an increasing number of artisanal spirits producers are crafting their own interpretations of the spirit, often alongside their gin range.

“An increasing number of artisanal spirits producers are crafting their own interpretations of the spirit.”

“The decision by the Chancellor last autumn to freeze spirit duty was the right one, and further supportive action is vital in 2019 to ensure that the craft spirits boom can continue, and British drinkers can continue to enjoy experimenting with their drinks choices.”

White rum is reported to be at the top of the off-trade list, while flavoured and spiced rum sales have been growing fast, with almost ten million bottles sold in the last year.

WSTA anticipates that by the end of this year, flavoured and spiced rums will surpass white rum sales.

In addition, the sale of golden and dark rum in pubs, bars and restaurants across the UK market increased over the last year, with golden rum being the most popular choice for drinkers.

Drum & Black Rum co-founder Dan Buckland said: “Consumers are becoming more adventurous with their beverage choices, and the more exploration they do, the more knowledgeable they become.”