10 Things You Didn’t Know about Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum
Most rums that we consume have a percentage of 40%. However, the alcohol percentage in Jamaica’s rum, Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, is 63% making it one of the strongest rums in the world. Due to its strong alcohol percentage, it is not only enjoyed in Jamaica but also in the United Kingdom. Rums tend to have a sweet flavor, and this Jamaican rum does not disappoint. The rum has hints of pineapple, citrus, and pear. If you are a rum enthusiast, you probably wish to know about the history of this Jamaican rum. Here are ten facts you may not have known about Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum.
1. They Held Their Biggest Campaign in 2016
The company was holding a campaign known as #Cash4Life. In this campaign, the consumers of the rum would receive a cash prize. That year, two Jamaicans were fortunate to receive the cash prize. The winners would be awarded $1 million annually for the next ten years. In total, J. Wray and Nephew Limited gave out $28,401,600 to its consumers, who emerged as winners. The company held the campaign to tackle financial instability in Jamaica. As a start, they held this campaign, perhaps to motivate the government or other companies to tackle financial instability. So, if there is ever an alcoholic beverage you should consume in Jamaica, it should be the Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum. In this way, you could stand a chance of being rewarded.
2. The Brand Manufactures Other Rums
Did you know that Wray & Nephew Limited manufactures six other rums besides Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum? The six rums are Coruba Jamaica Rum, Sainsbury’s Superior Dark Rum, J. Wray Gold Jamaican Rum, Koko Kanu, Appleton Special Jamaica Rum, and Appleton Estates Jamaica Rums. Additionally, Appleton Estates Jamaica Rums manufactures seven more rums, further expanding their rum collection.
3. The Company Honored Jamaica’s Boxer ‘Shrimpy’
Wray & Nephew White Limited awarded Richard ‘Shrimpy’ Clarke the Spirit of Jamaica Award for Boxing in 2015. The award acknowledged his numerous championships and his commitment to the sport as a head coach in his gym.
4. The Brand Donated Pure Alcohol to the National Health Fund (NHF)
As yet another initiative to fight COVID-19, the company donated thousands of liters of alcohol to NHF. For instance, each truck would deliver 25000 liters of 70% alcohol to NHF. The brand wanted some of its alcohol to be available for onward delivery to hospitals and some to be used as hand sanitizers.
5. A Health Agency Endorsed the Rum as a Way of Combating COVID-19
Hand sanitizers containing alcohol are ideal for combating the virus. However, the alcohol level should be at least 60%. With the rum’s alcohol percentage at 63%, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved its use as a hand sanitizer. CDC only recommended the rum after Jamaican shops quickly ran out of hand sanitizers.
6. There Have Been Counterfeits of This Rum in Jamaica
Being a popular drink, it is expected that fraudsters would capitalize on its popularity by making counterfeits of it. Besides offering counterfeits, the fraudsters would also produce fake checks bearing the brand’s name. When the company realized this, it sent out advertisements urging consumers to watch out for fake checks and rum. Since realizing such fraudulent activities, the company has been cooperating with the police to stop criminals from making fake rum. As for the checks, the company decided to limit the use of checks through cashless transactions.
7. There is a Three-Liter Version of This Rum
The brand released its three-liter rum in 2015, making it the largest bottle in Jamaica. When the company launched its first 100 bottles, they awarded them to Jamaicans that they felt displayed “exemplary national service.” The first person to receive the bottle was Alfred Kanhai. Alfred had been working in the company since 1970. Currently, he works as a technician in its agricultural department.
8. The Brand Launched a Program to Honor Frontline Heroes
Being a famous brand, it is natural that it would participate in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. One such initiative was during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, the health workers were overwhelmed with the high number of patients in the hospitals. Additionally, they were at a high risk of contracting the disease from the patients. So the brand decided to award $ 21.7 million to 434 frontline workers to acknowledge their efforts. Through the reward, hospitals could also buy additional medical supplies.
9. It Was Considered the Trendiest Rum in 2021
The Drinks International Annual Brands Report ranked this rum for the Top Trending Rums list at position ten. To qualify for the ranking, the body investigates the buying habits of drinkers from popular bars. The body then goes to the bars and asks the bartenders and bar owners to rank their best-selling products from each category: wine, rum, or whisky.
10. A Scotsman co-founded it
The rum was co-founded by a Scotsman named Charles John Wray. He started this beverage when he moved to Jamaica in the 1800s. In order to make the rum, he opened his tavern in Kingston in 1825 called the Shakespeare Tavern. He immediately began selling his rum to local merchants, and they liked it. His nephew decided to join him to further popularize this rum in Jamaica.
Conclusion
Were you fascinated by the Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum facts? So far, what draws you to the drink? Some people like the fact that it is very strong and flavorful. Others may like it for its disinfecting properties; after all, CDC recommended it as an alternative to hand sanitizers. However, both drinkers and non-drinkers can appreciate the company for its CSR initiatives. For instance, they were at the forefront of fighting COVID-19 and tackling financial instability. In a sense, the consumers were indirectly involved with the CSR activities without their knowledge. For example, consumers pay money to buy the rum. The company then uses a portion of it to fund such initiatives. That is something to be proud of. However, as a consumer, you should still remember to consume the rum in moderation.