Harewood Rum 1780

Harewood Rum 1780

The Oldest Known Rum Ever Bottled

Harewood Rum 1780 is a once-in-a-lifetime discovery — a liquid relic from the 18th century, unearthed in 2011 during renovations at Harewood House in Yorkshire, England. Hidden for over two centuries, 59 sealed bottles of Barbados rum were found in the cellar, bearing the date 1780, making them the oldest known rums ever bottled.

Produced during the height of the Caribbean sugar trade, these rums — labeled “Light” and “Dark” — were likely distilled from molasses using traditional pot stills and aged in oak casks before bottling. Despite their age, the rums were remarkably well-preserved, offering tasting notes of molasses, dried fruits, spice, and wood, with a surprisingly vibrant character.

Harewood Rum 1780 is not just a spirit — it is a story sealed in glass, a rare bridge between past and present.