Durban - When Clinton Wyness and Wayne Oliver launched the first South African-produced rum more than two years ago, the media predicted it would take the world by storm.
Now, their Zulu Rum (white) has been named one of the Fifty Best Rums in the world, said Wyness this week. The accolade was made in the New York-based ‘Fifty Best’ guide, which covers spirits and food.
It has already been showcased at trade shows from Moscow to Amsterdam, Paris and London, and Madrid – where it was nominated for the World Rum Awards.
The rum – there is also a dark Zulu Impi rum – was the result of about 12 years of behind-the-scenes work and endless dedication.
It all started when Wyness worked as a bicycle salesman travelling the country.
He would see sugar cane in KwaZulu-Natal and, at the end of a hot, tiring day, while enjoying a rum, wonder why no one was using the cane by-products to make the alcohol – especially since the province had a similar climate to rum producers like Jamaica and Cuba.
Although there were many cynics who told him he was crazy, he and Oliver pressed on with their dream and, in 2013, the partners produced their first bottles.
Their sales were initially in KZN where they are based, but they have since expanded, although they are still busy setting up distribution for the entire country.
“Our sales were so good last October that we sold out for a day as we battled to get molasses,” Wyness recalled.
And, the famous matric rave in uMhlanga brought in good sales too.
“We were selling 400 litres of Zulu Rum cocktails a day,” Wyness beamed.
The business partners have had their eyes on the export market from the outset and Wyness said that Germany looked as if it would be the first big export destination.
China was another possibility, he said.
And another showcase at the Rio food and drink trade show looked as if it is on the cards, under the banner of the Department of Trade and Industry.
Daily News