Scotland's First Rum - Dark Matter
Saying no to family is always hard—especially when they suggest setting up Scotland’s first dedicated rum distillery! That was the challenge former petroleum economist Jim Ewen faced when he pitched the idea of creating a Scottish rum to his brother, John Ewen.
Jim saw the recent surge in craft gin distilleries and realized there was a gap in the market for craft-distilled Scottish rum. Eventually, he convinced John, and the duo recently released Scotland’s first-ever rum!
Dark Matter Spiced Rum is distilled onsite at Britain’s first purpose-built rum distillery in Banchory, Aberdeenshire, using sugarcane molasses. Jim and John have embraced the science of distillation, spending the last few years experimenting with various yeast strains, flavours, and processes to perfect their recipe.
True to their ethos, their motto reflects their passion: "Our curiosity drives us while science inspires us. Combining knowledge and imagination, we obsessively pursue flavour through systematic study, observation, and experiment."
Their still isn’t a typical one—it’s designed to maximize liquid contact with copper and even features a botanical tray, a component more commonly found in gin distilleries. The bottle itself resembles a laboratory vessel, a nod to their love of experimentation. This rum is clearly aimed at discerning drinkers—a rarity in the spiced rum category, where many options rely on artificial flavourings.
Taking my first sip, I wasn’t disappointed—there are no artificial flavours, and the spice is intense. The palate warms under a bold combination of cloves, ginger, and mulled fruit. Initially, the ginger stands out, followed swiftly by pepper and possibly a hint of chilli. As the fruit emerges, the flavours mellow into a beautifully balanced profile.
This rum is perfect for sipping—I wouldn’t mix it with anything. The finish is surprisingly smooth, especially for such a young rum. Without a doubt, Dark Matter is a game-changer for the spiced rum category.
The brothers plan to age rum in the future, and I’m eagerly anticipating those releases after tasting this delight. A white rum is also on the horizon, along with other undisclosed "unusual" projects from the distillery—I can’t wait.