Craft Rum with Kevin Snook: The Original Rum Bum Story

Craft rum in the UK has a new voice and destination. The Original Rum Bum is the exciting self proclaimed new home of everything rum! Kevin “Snooky” Snook fell for Caribbean rum in Saint Lucia and built The Original Rum Bum brand from his vast experience there. The debut release, Rum Bum No.1 Signature Rum, is a craft small batch curated blend of Caribbean premium white rums. The brand exists to share the spirit and the stories behind great rum.

Recently, he was fortunate enough to be interviewed by Marlow FM’s James Winter, where he shared his amazing journey through the culinary world, tropical islands and winning awards for his writing & recipes.

Here is a summary of his amazing story. If you would like to relisten, check out Marlow FM’s Good Morning Show 23.10.25 from 10:00 am.

From Sand Between My Toes To A Rum Bottle On The Bar

My love of rum began in Saint Lucia, running a beach bar and restaurant with sand between my toes and music in the air. Many moons later, I decided to do it and make my own rum. I thought, why not! The aim was simple to say and hard to do. Create a rum with real personality that works in the glass, plays well in cocktails, and brings a bit of island life to the UK.

What Is Rum Made From?

Rum is a distilled spirit made from sugarcane. If it does not contain sugarcane, it is not rum. You will meet white rums, dark rums and spiced rums. Each style starts with sugarcane, then takes its own path through fermentation, distillation and, for many rums, time in wood. 

Agricole vs Molasses Rum

Across the Caribbean, you will find two broad approaches. In the French islands, many producers make rhum agricole from fresh sugarcane juice. Elsewhere, most rums are made from molasses, a by-product of sugar production. Agricole often tastes grassy and fresh. Molasses-based rums tend to be richer and darker. Neither is better. They are simply different traditions that grew up island by island.

If you would like to learn more about what rum is, then read my article, How Rum is Made: The Basics of Rum Production.

Why Is Dark Rum Dark?

White rum becomes dark through ageing in casks. Wood and time change the spirit. Barrels lend colour and flavour, and small details matter. Cask type, previous contents and time all add their own nuances.

Why I Bottled at 37.5% ABV

Rum Bum No.1 Signature rum is a curated blend of Jamaican white rum and Dominican Republic white rum, redistilled and bottled at 37.5% ABV, rather than the usual 40%. I chose this strength on purpose. It mellows into the drink nicely without taking away the nuances of the other ingredients, making it welcoming for people new to rum.

Created for Craft Rum Cocktails

Good rum is the starting point. Fresh prep matters and lifts everything. If a recipe calls for pineapple juice or grapefruit juice, I freshly squeeze it. With good mise en place, you can still do that in a busy bar. A Rum Lover’s Journal even includes a clarified Piña Colada recipe that doesn’t need a special kit. Serve it over a big, clear cube and let the flavour do the talking.

Caribbean Music, Mood & Premium Craft Rum

Rum and music are tied together for me. The playlist I share (via QR code link to Spotify) comes with the Rum Lover’s Journal and moves from reggae to soca, calypso and afrobeats. It sets a mood that pairs with what is in the glass. Think Bob Marleys Three Little Birds, think a gecko on the label, with a premium rum cocktail in your hand.

Where To Try Rum Bum No.1 Signature Rum

You can try the Rum Bum No.1 Signature Rum by the glass in places that back independent spirits. In and around Bray and Marlow, you will find it at Ginger Wings in Marlow, the Michelin starred Hinds Head in Bray, Caldesi in Campagna, Bray and The Monkey Island Estate. Other top establishments are on the way. London rum bars are next on my list. 

If you don’t get a chance to visit these amazing places, then you can buy directly from us on The Original Rum Bum website.

The Rum Lover’s Journal

Alongside the bottle sits the Rum Lover’s Journal. It is printed on stone paper, wipe-resistant and made to travel. Inside you will find a map of the Caribbean rum styles, a rum chart, fundamentals of cocktail making, batch prep, shrubs, milk punches and fifty-two recipes with full-colour images. There are blank pages for your own notes & comments. It was written with yacht crews and curious drinkers in mind, but it lives just as well on a kitchen counter or restaurant bar.

What Comes Next For The Original Rum Bum

The Rum Bum No.1 Signature Rum is our first step. A dark rum is in development. I am sharing more recipes, more stories and more places to taste. There will be a few friendly competitions for anyone wearing a Rum Bum tee on their travels. If you enjoy rum with personality and a sense of place, you are in the right company.

Final Comments on Premium Craft Rum with The Original Rum Bum

Thank you for reading this Marlow FM interview summary, where we touched on what craft rum means to me, my journey to our first Signature white rum and writing the Rum Lover’s Journal.

If you’d like to try our rum, you can buy Rum Bum No.1 Signature Blend on the website. This limited edition premium blend is hand labelled, with only 250 bottles made.

While you’re there, have a look around for recipes, the Journal, and drop us a message. We love to chat about all things rum!

Thank you again, Snooky.