The shortage of white overproof rum in Jamaica is expected to continue until early next year, according to a recent report. J Wray & Nephew Limited, the company responsible for about 90 percent of the white overproof rum market in Jamaica, is facing production issues that are impacting the availability of their iconic Wray & Nephew white overproof and Charley’s JB white overproof rum brands.
Jean-Philippe Beyer, the former managing director of J Wray & Nephew Limited, explained that the company’s success in growing its rum brands has led to production capacity challenges. With plans to become a top rum brand globally, J Wray & Nephew has been investing in boosting production, resulting in the need for more space to store the waste product from the rum-making process, known as dunder.
To address the dunder storage issue, J Wray & Nephew is building a dunder treatment plant at its New Yarmouth Distillery in Clarendon, with plans for completion by the first quarter of next year. This treatment plant will allow the company to continue production without interruptions caused by full dunder storage ponds.
The shortage of white overproof rum is impacting both local and global sales for J Wray & Nephew, with competitors benefiting from the lack of availability in the market. The company’s focus on growing its global presence, particularly with the Appleton Estate rum brand, is hindered by the production limitations caused by the dunder storage challenges.
Despite the current production constraints, J Wray & Nephew remains committed to expanding its rum portfolio and ensuring the quality of its products. By addressing the dunder storage issue and increasing production capacity, the company aims to relieve the shortage of white overproof rum and meet the demand of consumers both in Jamaica and around the world.
