National Rums of Jamaica (NRJ) has reaffirmed its stance in the legal showdown with the Spirits Pool Association over the boundaries of what qualifies as Jamaican rum.

The statement followed on the heels of a Jamaica Gleaner article titled ‘Jamaica rum battle has a French twist,’ which implied that French company Maison Ferrand, which owns the Plantation Rum brand and has a stake in NRJ through a regional subsidiary, is behind NRJ’s opposition to stricter rules for processing and ageing Jamaican rum.

NRJ responded by asserting its Jamaican identity, bolstered by a Jamaican CEO and a Jamaican workforce, while spotlighting its economic contribution to Jamaica.

“NRJ represents 40% of the rum production in Jamaica and contributes 40% to the total dollar export sales of Jamaican rum,” the statement read. “Over the past five years, NRJ’s Jamaican rum sales and contribution to Jamaican exports have increased by 50%. NRJ’s workforce currently comprises 200 employees and is steadily growing.”

The Gleaner article suggested that “if the rules remain as is, NRJ as well as Maison Ferrand, which produces the Plantation Rum brand, would have fewer future hurdles to source and bottle rum as being Jamaican in origin, according to Gordon Clarke, managing director of Worthy Park Estate.”

The article further implied, quoting a statement by Richard Seale, master distiller and blender at Foursquare rum distillery in Barbados, that the actions of West Indies Rum Distillery, recently acquired by Maison Ferrand, contributed to the abandonment of Barbados’ geographical indication (GI) application.

But the NRJ’s statement sought to dispel any notion of conflict of interest regarding its position in the dispute over the redefinition of what constitutes Jamaican rum.

“NRJ’s actions are based on the Jamaican rules of rum, as well as the laws governing geographical indications, the country’s treaty obligations, and fair competition rules,” the company insisted. “NRJ is firmly committed to upholding the integrity and heritage of Jamaica’s rum industry, and any suggestions to the contrary are unfounded and do not reflect the reality of its management team and staff, board of directors, or stakeholders dedication to the best interests of Jamaica.”

“The decisions made by NRJ are driven by strong historical, commercial, market, and legal considerations,” the response continued. “The global rum industry is evolving, and NRJ’s position reflects the company’s dedication to ensuring the industry’s growth and sustainability in the face of challenges such as diversifying local water sources due to climate change.”

The communication went on to defend NRJ’s long-standing heritage and business practices, dating back to 1753, which include collaborating with prominent global spirits industry partners to facilitate the growth of Jamaican exports and expand its global reach through Jamaican rum which has been double-aged or aged outside of Jamaica in collaboration with NRJ’s customers.

“NRJ staunchly defends this model because its loss would not only jeopardise the heritage of Jamaican rum but also put at risk over 40% of Jamaican dollar rum exports, which is a substantial and steadily growing contribution to Jamaica’s economy,” the company expressed. “Additionally, the questioning of National Rum of Jamaica’s heritage endangers the livelihoods of hard-working and committed Jamaican families, as certain actions put the National Rum of Jamaica at risk if this geographical indication is restricted.”

NRJ is suggesting that they haven’t had concerns raised against them until recently, with competitors suggesting changes to their heritage and practices. They argue that ageing rum outside Jamaica doesn’t affect its authenticity, which is primarily defined by Jamaican fermentation and distillation methods. The company argues that this tradition has boosted Jamaican rum sales and reputation globally and should be considered pragmatically.

“The redefinition of Jamaican rum as currently advocated by the Spirits Pool Association would exclude the NRJ tradition and business model, which significantly contributes to the growth of Jamaican rum exports that have otherwise remained stagnant for years,” NRJ contends. “This could relegate Jamaican rum to a niche product with limited growth prospects.”

The organisation reaffirmed its support for measures to safeguard the integrity of Jamaican rum and prevent misleading representations while respecting the JIPO’s process as it awaits the tribunal’s decision.