Date: 14.08.2018

The legend of the CARGO CULT

As World War II spread to the South Pacific, US troops descended on isolated islands, with their CARGO of unimaginable riches: tinned meat that never spoilt, Coca Cola, Jeeps, cigarettes…

Many of the islanders had never seen outsiders before and believed this was a miraculous occurrence.

Just as abruptly the troops departed, leaving only rusted Jeeps, crumpled beer cans and memories of Spam.

Yearning for the return of abundance, Islanders built aircraft from palm trees and cleared landing strips to summon back the Visitors and their legendary leader, a man who has gone by many names and appearances (from US soldiers, to local figures to UK royalty…)

Islanders formed ‘Cargo Cults’ that endure in remote communities, patiently awaiting the return of mystical leader and his limitless abundance of CARGO.

While over 70 years has past and the mythical LEADER with his limitless supply of cargo is yet to re-appear over the horizon, his rum has arrived.

CARGO CULT Spiced Rum

The team scoured the South Pacific islands and found a distillery in remote Papua New Guinea (in the Ramu River Valley) and another on the cane covered island of Fiji.

Rich volcanic soil, unpolluted rain water and sundrenched sugarcane aged under the intense tropical sun create our lively and fragrant rums. They blend, spice and bottle in a small wine company in Orange, New South Wales, Australia.

No sugar is added.

Spices used include clove, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon and (less) vanilla.

Cargo Cult Spiced Banana Rum

Guess what UK’s most popular fruit is?

The average person in the UK consumes 18kg of them.

When we turned our thoughts to how we were going to extend the CARGO CULT Spiced Rum, we looked to the South Pacific islands – especially Papua New Guinea and Fiji (where we source our Rum from) for inspiration. We looked at all the flavours, fruits, bush foods and spices.

At the same time Mario, our Ambassador in London told us of how well Banana pairs with CARGO CULT in cocktails, which got us thinking… one thing in no short supply in the South Pacific are bananas…

Over the next six months, we peeled an awful lot of Bananas and poured a shocking amount of Rum down the drain… bananas are by no means an easy fruit to work with. After trying all kinds of ways to make the product we decided to go all natural, infusing our Spiced Rum with bananas and an extract from redistilling banana puree. The result is a natural banana aroma and taste that delicately sits on top of the spices that we already use in CARGO CULT Spiced Rum.

At 38% ABV it is classified as a Rum and the infusion process brings a subtle natural sweetness from very ripe bananas. Don’t expect a super sweetened liqueur-like liquid – it still finishes quite dry.

Amazing as a Banana Old Fashioned (with Walnut bitters!), Banana Daiquiri, Royal ‘Banana’ Yacht Club, Banana Espresso Martini, with Pineapple juice or even with Tonic.

We are really excited to be releasing this new product and Batch#1 is now available in the UK.