Your Dream Job As The 'Minister Of Rum' Has Just Been Filled
What does it take to be hired for a rummy's dream job as the "Minister of Rum"? A true passion for the Caribbean spirit and a jillion bucks, more or less.
Less than a month ago, Bacardí embarked on a nationwide job search to hire an ambassador to wax poetic about the brand's rum revolution. They found their man. At the annual Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail Competition in Berlin, the Bermudan spirits company announced that the job's been filled — by DJ Jillionaire of the electronic music trio Major Lazer (which also includes record producer Diplo and Walshy Fire).
Perhaps not coincidentally, Bacardi forged an experiential collaboration with Major Lazer earlier this year, so you could say that Jillionaire had the inside track on the gig. The creative concept is called the "Sound of Rum" and began as a mission to connect Bacardi's island roots to modern music through sounds that blur the lines between reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, and electronic music.
"I'm truly passionate about rum, its craft, and its Caribbean heritage," says Jillionaire. "I grew up in Trinidad, where rum is a big part of the culture, and I worked in bars for many years learning how to master the perfect rum cocktail."
Major Lazer traveled to the Bacardí distillery in Puerto Rico, where the group shadowed Maestro de Ron Manny Oliver to come up with a unique batch of rum that hit U.S. retail shelves in mid-June. Bacardí Major Lazer Limited Edition Rum ($19.99) blends light and heavy dark rums that have been tropically aged for three to four years. Filtered before and after aging and inspired by island vibes, the rum features tasting notes of tropical fruit, cedar, almonds, and vanilla The limited-edition spirit can be ordered online via Reserve Bar.