THE Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum range will now be poured in all of 19 Sandals and Beaches properties throughout the Caribbean.

Guests at Sandals Resorts are set for celebrations this week following the announcement that two of the region's premier brands, Sandals Resort International and Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum are to form an exciting new partnership.

The homegrown alliance will further enhance the resorts' five-star product offering as well as provide huge exposure to the rum brand via Sandals' extensive guest and travel agent network.

"Sandals and Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum are two of the most famous and successful brands ever to emerge from this region. I'm delighted that we were able to join forces to offer the best of the Caribbean at our resorts," said Sandals Resorts International chief executive officer, Adam Stewart.

"While Sandals is a global brand, we remain a family business that is passionately committed to our country of Jamaica and the region as a whole and therefore it's great to see two local brands linking up to offer a true Caribbean experience," he said.

The deal marks the end of a two-year agreement Sandals had with Demerara Distillers to supply the Guyana-based company's El Dorado aged rums to all its hotels across the region. Prior to the supply agreement with Demerara, the hotel chain had a deal with Appleton for more than 20 years.

"We're constantly looking to extend the boundaries of what our guests receive during their stay with us and Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum is an iconic Jamaican product and an internationally acclaimed rum brand. I would like to place on record our thanks to Demerara Distillers and their El Dorado brand and wish them all the best for the future," Stewart said.

Paul Henriques, managing director of J Wray & Nephew Limited, producers of Appleton, said his company is delighted to renew its partnership with Sandals and to be able to showcase its award-winning range of Jamaican rums to guests of Sandals resorts across the Caribbean.

"It is very fitting that in our 50th year of Independence, two of Jamaica's most famous brands are once again partnering to raise the bar and provide guests of the Sandals and Beaches properties with an exceptional drinking experience," Henriques said.