NATIONAL Rums of Jamaica Limited (NRJ), owners and operators of Long Pond Distillers and Clarendon Distilleries Limited, has gone to court to challenge the October 2 ruling by Jamaica Intellectual Property Office’s (JIPO) regarding the geographical indication of ‘Jamaica Rum’.

The almost four-year battle over the definition of Jamaica rum ended with JIPO adding the word “only” to the criteria of what is Jamaica rum, a change that blocks the ageing of the spirit outside the island.

The change was one of eight guidelines added to the Jamaica rum geographical indication by JIPO as it ruled in a dispute between NRJ and the Spirits Pool Association.

But NRJ has now headed to court in what it said “is an effort to safeguard the legacy and value of its brands, and those of its buyers which have helped to establish Jamaica rum as a premium product worldwide”.

According to NRJ, the appeal was filed in the Supreme Court on October 31, 2024 and raises important issues for the court’s review and determination.

NRJ, which ages some of its rum overseas, has also sought urgent relief from the court pending the hearing of the appeal, given what is said are the immediate consequences arising from the decision and the subsequent actions taken by the registrar.

“For over two centuries, NRJ and its predecessor companies and distilleries have proudly contributed to Jamaica’s rum tradition, establishing a global reputation that supports both Jamaica’s economy and its rich cultural heritage,” said NRJ’s CEO Martha Miller.

“This enduring tradition, embraced by top international spirits brands that source Jamaica rum from NRJ, has not only solidified our brands’ global standing but also sustained hundreds of Jamaican families, businesses, and communities — particularly in Clarendon and Trelawny. We await the review of the decision by the courts,” added Miller.

She said NRJ remains committed to preserving the essence of Jamaica rum and defending the long-standing traditions that have garnered it respect globally.

Spirits Pool Association represents four major distilleries — National Rums, J Wray & Nephew, Worthy Park, and Everglades Farms Limited.

Following the ruling by JIPO, Spirits Pool Association said in a media release, “As a result of this ruling, our people will be assured that Jamaica rum can only be produced in Jamaica using naturally filtered limestone water from limited and specific geographical zones, that is aged in small barrels no larger than 250 litres, made from food-grade wood, produced from sugar cane substrates such as molasses and sugar cane juice, using special distillation stills made with copper. More importantly, that no sugar or other materials is added after distillation and it is aged only in Jamaica.”

NRJ is represented in court by Lindo Legal, which has instructed Patrick Foster, KC, Grace Lindo, and Mark Paul Cowan in the appeal.