Rum: A tasting journey

Join us on a journey from the lightest to the darkest of rum flavours in this interactive tasting.

Our rum expert Derek Liverpool will be exploring the spirit's rich and complicated history, with surprising connections to British art and some curious links to the National Gallery and the collection itself.

You'll be exploring origins, ingredients, and flavour profiles, from delicate top notes to strong undertones.

In the comfort of the Salon, you will be led through a tasting that includes the coveted 'best rum in the world', 15-year-old El Dorado - a five-time winner at the International Wine and Spirit Competition.

Drawing on the iconic 18th-century portrait by Thomas Gainsborough, you'll begin the evening with a Blue Boy cocktail - inspired by Gainsborough's painting of the same name. Although the cocktail bears no visual resemblance to the painting, the name evokes the elegance and refinement associated with Gainsborough’s work.

Then, you will be led through a rum masterclass plus a full tasting.

Light snacks will be provided.

Derek Liverpool is a lifelong rum enthusiast and historian, whose passion was inspired by his Guyanese family and the lively rum debates of his childhood. He has since become known for both his refined palate and his deep knowledge of rum’s complex history: from its roots in Caribbean slavery and sugarcane plantations to its role in global culture.

His travels have taken him to major rum landmarks, including Guyana’s Diamond Distillery and Barbados’ Mount Gay.

A WSET Spirits Level 2 graduate, Derek blends technical expertise with a storyteller’s touch. He is also an archivist and collector of rare Caribbean and African American literature.

Derek is currently in the process of writing his debut book, 'Rum: A Fighting Spirit', exploring rum’s history, influence, and cultural legacy.